If you're shopping for a mini excavator that can handle serious digging work without needing a huge job site, the Bobcat E45 deserves a close look. This 2018 model, listed on ReflowX, falls into the 4.5-ton class and is built for contractors who need power in a tight footprint.
Why the Bobcat E45 Stands Out
The biggest selling point of the Bobcat E45 is its zero tail swing design. On crowded job sites — think residential lots, urban utility work, or fenced-in areas a machine that swings its counterweight beyond its tracks is a liability. It risks hitting walls, parked vehicles, or nearby workers. The E45 keeps its rear end tucked in during rotation, so operators can work right up against obstacles without constantly repositioning.
That's not a minor feature. It's the difference between finishing a trenching job in a backyard cleanly, or damaging a fence and having to explain it to the homeowner.
Engine and Hydraulics: Where the Real Work Happens
Under the hood, the E45 runs on a Kubota V2403-M-DI, a 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine putting out 45.3 HP (33.8 kW). Kubota engines have a long track record in construction equipment for being fuel-efficient and low-maintenance, which matters if you're running this machine daily rather than occasionally.
The hydraulics are the more interesting part of the spec sheet. A dual variable displacement piston pump delivers 114 liters per minute at 250 bar. In practical terms, that means the E45 can run multiple functions at once swing while digging, for example without a noticeable power drop. It also means attachments like hydraulic breakers, augers, or grapples will run at full capacity rather than being starved for flow.
Digging Performance
Numbers matter more than marketing copy here, so here's what the E45 actually delivers:
- Max digging depth: 3,550 mm
- Max reach at ground level: 5,810 mm
- Max dumping height: 3,810 mm
- Max vertical digging depth: 2,370 mm
- Total digging force: 43.4 kN (25.1 kN from the arm, 34.5 kN from the bucket)
- Lifting capacity at ground level: 2,660 kg
That reach and depth combination puts the E45 in a useful middle ground. It's compact enough to fit through a standard gate but has the digging depth to handle foundation work, utility trenching, and drainage installation without needing a larger, harder-to-transport machine.
Size and Transport
The E45 has an overall length of 5,400 mm (with bucket), a width of 1,960 mm, and stands 2,590 mm tall. At 4,500 kg operating weight, it sits comfortably within the towing capacity of a standard trailer setup that most contractors already own. You're not looking at specialized heavy-haul logistics to move this machine between sites.
Ground clearance is 297 mm, and the tail swing radius is a tight 1,840 mm both numbers that back up the "works in tight spaces" claim rather than just repeating it.
Who Should Consider This Machine
The Bobcat E45 makes sense for:
- Landscaping contractors who need to dig near existing structures, retaining walls, or landscaping features without causing collateral damage
- Utility crews running trenching work in residential or urban settings where space is limited
- General contractors doing foundation excavation on smaller commercial or residential builds
- Equipment rental fleets looking for a versatile mid-size mini excavator that covers a wide range of job types
It's not the machine for large-scale earthmoving or mass excavation for that, you'd want something in a higher weight class. But for the kind of precision digging that dominates residential and light commercial construction, the specs line up well.
Fuel and Running Costs
With a 70-liter fuel tank and a diesel engine known for efficiency, the E45 is built to run full shifts without frequent refueling stops. Combined with the liquid cooling system, it's designed to hold up under sustained use rather than just short bursts of work.
Where to Find This Unit
This particular 2018 Bobcat E45 is listed on ReflowX, a marketplace built around surplus and used equipment from the energy and construction sectors. The listing includes full specifications, multiple product photos, and direct contact details for buyers who want to inquire about condition, logistics, or inspection services.
If you're evaluating used mini excavators and want a machine that balances digging performance with maneuverability, the Bobcat E45 listing on ReflowX is worth a direct inquiry buyers can also request pre-purchase inspections and expediting services through the platform before committing.
Bottom Line
The Bobcat E45 isn't trying to be the biggest excavator on the market. It's built for a specific job: strong digging performance in spaces where a full-size machine simply won't fit. If that matches your job requirements, it's a solid used-equipment option to evaluate.
