MEC10 Mini Excavator vs HUAYEE HY12C Mini Excavator

Both are 1-ton-class gasoline mini excavators with 37-inch chassis widths, so either fits through a gate or into a backyard. The MEC10 has the better-supported engine story: a Honda GX390 with electric start, a documented 65.7-inch dig depth and a hydraulic thumb adjustable from the seat, backed by 73 ratings averaging 4.9. The HY12C counters with a slightly larger 420 cc engine, a 67-inch dig depth and a cover included, but it publishes far less about hydraulics, digging forces and lift capacity. Buy the MEC10 if you want the proven package; buy the HY12C if the extra dig depth and included cover matter more than a track record.

• Choose the MEC10 if you want a Honda-powered 1-ton digger with a seat-adjustable hydraulic thumb, published digging forces and a long run of strong owner ratings.
• Choose the HY12C if you need a couple more inches of dig depth, a slightly bigger engine and a cover in the box, and you are comfortable with thinner published specs.