Russian mini-excavators Polar Badger SQ – size is not a hindrance

According to experts, approximately a third of all construction-related excavation work on the planet is done manually. In some countries, including Russia, this figure is even higher. Therefore, it is not surprising that the demand for small-sized equipment is increasing every year.


One of its varieties, a mini-excavator, is no exception. And the growth in sales is quite serious: for example, in the USA in 1990, 1000 units of such equipment were sold, and in 2005 - 24 times more. In Europe this is not so noticeable: 35,5 thousand cars in 1999 and 52 thousand in 2005. Today these figures are even higher. Where did these “helpers” come from?

The history of mini excavators

The first new product was released by Yanmar in 1968. The design turned out to be successful and almost immediately, as they say today, “it worked.” Therefore, by 1971, conveyor production was organized. At the same time, the machine on steel tracks “at the same time” became the founder of a whole series of mini-equipment: loaders, bulldozers, etc. All of them were distinguished by very small dimensions.


In 1979, Yanmar introduced the first mini-excavator with rubber tracks, which was modernized five years later. Very quickly, the production of equipment of this kind was established in Europe and overseas: the Japanese had to make room in the market. The high interest in mini-equipment is associated not only with the growing demand for it, but also with the ease of copying.

Pros and cons of small-sized equipment

The main advantage is obvious: small size, allowing work to be done in hard-to-reach places. There are even models for indoor use: they can fit through a doorway. The second advantage is ease of operation: you can learn how to operate a mini-excavator quite quickly. There is no requirement to complete any courses, obtain certificates, etc.


An important point is the safety of such equipment, which is due to the small rotary platform, which does not protrude beyond the dimensions of the mini-excavator. This means that it will not catch or damage surrounding objects. This quality is relevant for companies that rent out special equipment.


Mini-excavators are equipped with a mixed-type folding axle. This means that you can dig a trench or square pit next to the machine without moving it, or go parallel to the ditch. And another positive factor is the relatively low cost. For the same money you can buy an “adult” excavator or its smaller “colleague” with a loader in addition.

Disadvantages

The first one is also obvious: low power and bucket capacity. However, for large-scale work, different, larger equipment is required. And no construction begins in its absence. The second disadvantage is the low mobility of mini-equipment: moving to another object under its own power is difficult due to the tracked chassis. True, there is an option - a mini-excavator on wheels.


But such a machine has less stability when performing work and worse maneuverability. And these qualities, as sales statistics show, are more important for the user than the speed of movement from one place to another. Today, at least a hundred companies are producing mini-equipment around the world. Some of them, of course, are located in China. Localized production has also been established in Russia.

Polar Badger

The question arises about the emergence of a brand (Yaroslavl). The year of foundation is 2016: the time when the problem of import substitution became a very real phenomenon. The company's official website states that its founders have more than twenty years of experience working with special equipment from different manufacturers. It is stated that all of the company’s products are assembled in Russia, which allows them to offer finished products at competitive prices, i.e., cheaper compared to foreign analogues.


The range includes loaders of various types, tractors and mini-excavators. Of the latter, two main models are offered - SQ-18 and SQ-28. Polar Badger is translated as “polar badger,” as evidenced by the predatory face of the animal depicted on special equipment. However, the brand could hardly appear out of nowhere. If you look at the official documents, this trademark is registered under No. 869504 (16.05.2022/XNUMX/XNUMX) and its copyright holder is the Dolina company from Yaroslavl. She is known as a seller of special equipment from the Chinese company LiuGong. Its product range also includes mini-excavators.


However, unlike them, the “diggers” from Polar Badger are equipped with other engines: not Yanmar, but Kubota. Otherwise the characteristics are similar. It's worth taking a closer look at the models offered by Polar Badger.

SQ-18A

As mentioned above, the main advantage of such technology is the ability to use it where there is only one alternative in the form of manual labor. This model weighing 1,8 tons (as can be seen from the index) has a “zero offset” turntable. This means that the machine can work close to the walls, unloading soil on both sides of the ditch. Its technical characteristics:

✅ engine – 3-cylinder diesel KUBOTA D1105 with a capacity of 19,3 liters. With.
✅ track width – 23 cm
✅ bucket volume – 0,04 cubic m
✅ digging depth (range) – up to 2,365 m (3,976 m)
✅ clearance - 15,4 cm
✅speed – up to 4 km/h

The SQ-18A mini-excavator is successfully used when performing work on busy streets without stopping traffic. Therefore, the technology can be useful to utility workers, signalmen, gas workers and road workers. And also for builders when constructing small objects.


If necessary, you can quickly change attachments (optional). The cab with an opening windshield is equipped with a heating system for comfortable work in winter. Control is via joysticks: the left one turns the platform, the right one turns the arrow. The operator's seat is adjustable and has an armrest. The average price is 3 million 770 thousand rubles.

SQ-28

This modification, weighing 2,8 tons, features a more powerful engine from the same manufacturer. The four-cylinder KUBOTA V1505 diesel engine installed on the mini-excavator is liquid cooled and develops 25,15 horsepower. Among other differences, it is worth highlighting the wider, 30 cm tracks, which provide better stability. And also a bucket with a volume of 0,06 cubic meters. The digging depth reaches 2,54 m with a range of 5,03 m. The ground clearance is also greater - 29,5 cm, but the speed is slightly less - 3,6 km/h.


The excavator boom folds, and the machine itself is capable of rotating 360° around its own axis. In addition to the bucket, a hydraulic hammer or drill is installed on the mini-excavator. Of particular note is the KUBOTA engine used in both cars. Its main difference is low fuel consumption, relatively low noise and vibration.


This guarantees comfortable working conditions for the operator. In addition, KUBOTA is unpretentious in terms of fuel, which is important in the harsh Russian realities. The price of the SQ-28 model is 4 million 260 thousand rubles.

Conclusion

Mini-excavators today are not as widespread as their older “brothers”, but the trend towards increasing sales is obvious. It is possible that we will soon see such helpers more often in rural areas and even in summer cottages. Obviously, the popularization of these “substitutes” for shovels is still hampered by the relatively high cost. We can only hope that the localization of production in the Russian Federation will solve this problem.