If you're shopping for a 1.6-ton mini excavator, the first fork in the road is usually power versus newness. One candidate is a used 23hp dual-cylinder Briggs & Stratton machine with a swing boom; the other is a brand-new 13.5hp model with a side swing boom and hydraulic pilot controls. Their listed prices sit only US$279 apart, so the deciding factors tend to be digging envelope, control feel, and whether you want a new machine or a pre-owned one.
Quick verdict
Go with the used 23hp excavator when you need maximum digging depth, height, radius, and bucket breakout force for small construction or landscaping jobs. Choose the new 13.5hp machine when a factory-fresh unit with smoother controls and a tighter footprint for narrow spaces matters more than raw power.
Head-to-head comparison
Here is how the two 1.6-ton machines compare at their listed prices.
| Feature | Used 23HP 1.6T | New 13.5HP 1.6T |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 6,320 | USD 6,599 |
| Price bar | ||
| Condition | Used | New |
| Engine | 23 HP Briggs & Stratton | 13.5 HP Briggs & Stratton |
| Controls | - | Hydraulic pilot |
| Bucket digging force | 2923 lbf | - |
| Max digging depth | 2258 mm | 1710 mm |
| Max digging height | 2840 mm | 2690 mm |
| Max digging radius | 3417 mm | - |
| Boom swing | Swing boom | Side swing boom |
| Gradeability | 30° | 35° |
Where each model wins
The used 23hp model wins on digging muscle, with a higher bucket digging force and a wider working range across depth, height, and radius. The new 13.5hp model wins on freshness and finesse: it's a new machine, its hydraulic pilot controls feel lighter, and the side swing boom offers a wide 75° left / 45° right swing with a better gradeability rating than the used model. In practice, the used machine handles harder digging conditions and deeper cuts, while the new model feels at home in tight residential spaces where maneuverability and smooth control take priority.
1.6T 23hp Mini Excavator With B&S Dual-Cylinder 3864 Engine and Swing Boom, Used
This used excavator pairs a 23hp Briggs & Stratton dual-cylinder 3864 engine with a swing boom and gasoline fuel. The standout is the 2,923 lbf bucket digging force, which gives it noticeably more breakout for hard or compacted soil, and the digging envelope is larger than the new model's, with a 2,258 mm max depth and 3,417 mm of reach. It comes with an oil filter, grease gun, wrenches, adapters, and an instruction manual. The honest limitation is the condition: it's pre-owned, so expect to budget for wear-related maintenance. Choose it when you want maximum capacity from a compact 1.6-ton frame.
1.6T Mini Excavator B&S 13.5HP Engine Side Swing Boom/Hydraulic Pilot
This MMS-built excavator is listed as new and brings a 13.5hp Briggs & Stratton engine with hydraulic pilot controls, so the boom and bucket respond with lighter, more fluid input than a basic lever setup. The side swing boom offers 75° of left swing and 45° of right swing, while the 990 mm width is aimed squarely at courtyards, alleys, and other narrow spaces. Gradeability is rated at 35°, a step above the used model's 30° slope figure. The trade-off is a smaller digging envelope and less horsepower than the 23hp machine, so it's better suited to light excavation and tight access than heavy trenching.
Final choice by use case
For deeper digging, higher breakout force, and the largest possible working radius in a 1.6-ton package, the used 23hp mini excavator is the one to buy. If a new machine with hydraulic pilot controls, a narrower footprint, and a wider side-swing angle matters more, the 13.5hp model is the cleaner pick.
