Key Takeaways
- Purchase price: New medium excavators (10-30 tonne) in Australia cost $120,000-$350,000 depending on operating weight, brand and configuration (2026 pricing). Used units: $60,000-$180,000.
- Annual running cost: $30,000-$65,000 covering fuel ($18,000-$35,000), maintenance ($8,000-$18,000), undercarriage wear ($4,000-$12,000) and insurance ($2,000-$5,000).
- 5-year TCO: A mid-range 20 tonne excavator at $200,000 costs $370,000-$530,000 over 5 years at 1,500 hours/year. Purchase price is 38-54% of total spend.
- Fuel is the largest running cost: At 12-20 L/hour diesel consumption and current Australian diesel prices, fuel accounts for 50-60% of annual operating expense.
- If your annual utilisation exceeds 1,000 hours: purchasing typically delivers lower 5-year cost than dry hire within 18-24 months. Below 800 hours/year, hiring is usually more cost-effective.
- Undercarriage is the second-largest cost: Track pads, rollers, idlers and sprockets cost $10,000-$25,000 per full replacement at 3,000-5,000 hours. Abrasive sites accelerate wear by 30-50%.
Medium Excavator Running Costs Australia (2026): Fuel, Maintenance, Undercarriage and 5-Year Total Cost of Ownership for 10-30 Tonne Machines
A medium excavator's purchase price accounts for less than half the 5-year cost at production utilisation. Fuel consumption alone adds $90,000-$175,000 over 5 years on a 20 tonne machine running 1,500 hours per year. Undercarriage replacement adds another $10,000-$25,000 per cycle. Operations that approve the purchase price without modelling these running cost lines face budget overruns within the first 12 months. This guide breaks down every cost component for medium excavators in the 10-30 tonne class.
For general excavator configuration guidance, see the excavator buying guide. To compare pricing from verified Australian suppliers, get quotes for medium excavators on IndustrySearch.
Operations budgeting medium excavator ownership:
- Civil contractors running 13-25 tonne machines on road, drainage and subdivision projects
- Earthmoving companies adding or replacing fleet units for general dig-and-load work
- Demolition contractors running 15-30 tonne machines with breaker and shear attachments
- Utility and pipeline contractors requiring 10-20 tonne machines for trench and service work
Step 1: Choose Your Cost Tier by Size Class
Before costing anything else, confirm which tonnage range your dominant task requires. Size class sets the purchase price and every running cost line that follows.
| Size Class | Purchase (AUD) | Running Cost/Year | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-15 tonne | $120,000-$200,000 | $30,000-$45,000 | Utility trenching, residential civil, tight-access sites |
| 15-22 tonne | $180,000-$280,000 | $40,000-$55,000 | General civil, road construction, drainage, subdivision |
| 22-30 tonne | $250,000-$350,000 | $50,000-$65,000 | Heavy civil, demolition, bulk earthworks, quarry loading |
| Used (any class) | $60,000-$180,000 | Variable | Check hours, undercarriage, hydraulics and service history |
The 15-22 tonne range is the most commonly purchased class in Australia. It covers the broadest spread of civil and construction tasks without the transport complexity of a 25+ tonne machine requiring float permits in some states.
Step 2: Evaluate the Running Cost Specifications
With your size class confirmed, these are the specs that drive total cost of ownership beyond the purchase price.
| Cost Driver | Typical Range | Impact on TCO |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel consumption | 12-20 L/hour | At $2.00/L and 1,500 hrs/year: $36,000-$60,000/year. The single largest running cost |
| Undercarriage life | 3,000-5,000 hours | Full replacement: $10,000-$25,000. Rocky/abrasive sites reduce life by 30-50% |
| Hydraulic oil and filters | Every 500-1,000 hours | $1,500-$3,000 per service. Contaminated hydraulic oil causes pump and valve damage |
| Bucket teeth and edges | Every 200-600 hours | $500-$2,000 per set. Hard-rock excavation accelerates wear significantly |
| Engine oil service | Every 250-500 hours | $400-$1,000 per service including oil, filters and labour |
| Insurance | $2,000-$5,000/year | Comprehensive machinery insurance. Higher for demolition and quarry applications |
The most common mistake is underestimating undercarriage cost. A 20 tonne machine on an abrasive sandstone site can wear through track pads in 2,000 hours - half the expected life. Budget for at least one full undercarriage replacement per 5-year ownership period.
Step 3: Understand the Full Cost Breakdown (2026 Prices)
Purchase price is only part of the picture - fuel and undercarriage together typically exceed the purchase price over 5 years at production utilisation.
| Cost Line | 10-15 Tonne | 15-22 Tonne | 22-30 Tonne |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase (mid-range new) | $150,000-$200,000 | $200,000-$280,000 | $280,000-$350,000 |
| 5-year fuel | $90,000-$120,000 | $120,000-$175,000 | $150,000-$210,000 |
| 5-year maintenance | $40,000-$60,000 | $50,000-$80,000 | $60,000-$95,000 |
| 5-year TCO | $280,000-$380,000 | $370,000-$535,000 | $490,000-$655,000 |
At 1,500 hours/year, dry hire of a 20 tonne excavator at $800-$1,500/day (plus fuel) costs $200,000-$390,000/year. Ownership at a purchase price of $220,000 breaks even against dry hire within 18-24 months. If you are within 8 weeks of purchasing, get quotes for medium excavators to benchmark supplier pricing.
Step 4: Plan the Asset - Depreciation and Financing
ATO Depreciation Reference
ATO effective life for tracked earthmoving equipment: 10-12 years. Diminishing value rate: 16.67-20%. Prime cost rate: 8.33-10%. A $220,000 excavator at 20% diminishing value writes down to approximately $72,000 at year 10. For used excavator pricing and resale guidance, see the IndustrySearch used excavator price guide.
Step 5: Evaluate Suppliers
You are ready to go to market. Use this checklist to compare TCO, not just purchase price.
| Factor | What to Ask |
|---|---|
| Fuel consumption | What is the tested L/hour at average working load for this model? |
| Undercarriage cost | What does a full undercarriage replacement cost? What is the expected life on your soil type? |
| Service intervals | What is the scheduled service cost at 500, 1,000 and 2,000 hours? |
| Warranty | What is the powertrain and hydraulic warranty? Is undercarriage covered? |
| Parts availability | Are bucket teeth, filters, hydraulic seals and undercarriage components held in Australian stock? |
| Service network | Where is the nearest dealer? Is mobile field service available for regional sites? |
| Telematics | Does the machine include GPS tracking, fuel monitoring and maintenance alerts? |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a medium excavator cost per year to run in Australia?
$30,000-$65,000/year at 1,500 hours depending on tonnage, fuel price and site conditions. Fuel is 50-60% of the annual running cost.
What is the 5-year total cost of owning a 20 tonne excavator?
$370,000-$535,000 at 1,500 hours/year including purchase, fuel, maintenance, undercarriage and insurance. The purchase price is less than half of the 5-year total.
At what utilisation does buying beat hiring a medium excavator?
Ownership breaks even against dry hire at approximately 1,000 hours/year within 18-24 months. Below 800 hours/year, hiring or wet hire is typically more cost-effective.
What is the most expensive running cost on a medium excavator?
Fuel - at 12-20 L/hour and $2.00/L, a 20 tonne machine running 1,500 hours/year consumes $36,000-$60,000 in diesel annually. Undercarriage is the second-largest cost.
How much does a full undercarriage replacement cost?
$10,000-$25,000 for a complete set of track pads, rollers, idlers and sprockets on a 15-25 tonne machine. Expected life is 3,000-5,000 hours on standard ground, less on abrasive rock.
What Matters Most
- Fuel is the dominant cost: 50-60% of annual running expense. Compare L/hour consumption across brands and models
- Undercarriage replacement is the biggest mid-life cost: budget $10,000-$25,000 per cycle at 3,000-5,000 hours
- Purchase price is under half the 5-year total: evaluate TCO, not sticker price
- Ownership beats hire above 1,000 hours/year: below that, dry hire is usually cheaper
- Site conditions multiply costs: abrasive ground accelerates undercarriage and bucket wear by 30-50%
Most buyers shortlist 2-3 brands after getting quotes with scheduled service and undercarriage pricing included.
Don't waste time contacting suppliers individually. IndustrySearch gives you direct access to verified Australian medium excavator suppliers - where industrial buyers request and compare multiple quotes so they can buy with confidence.
- Get quotes for medium excavators - contact multiple verified suppliers with a single enquiry
- Compare models - filter by capacity, configuration and region
- Contact suppliers directly - speak to specialists who service your state
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