The conventional-tail 1.8-ton excavator contractors trust for everyday dig work

Questions I get about the KX018-4

A conventional tail swing machine like the KX018-4 lets the counterweight extend slightly beyond the tracks when the house rotates, which typically gives a bit more stability and lift capacity for its size than a tight-tail equivalent. The trade-off is you need a little more clearance around the machine while it's turning.

The KX018-4 digs to about 7'10", which handles most footings, drainage, and utility trenching on a typical residential or small commercial job site.

At 1.8 tons it's light enough to trailer easily and run in tight residential yards, but heavy enough to move real dirt all day without straining — that balance is why it's such a common rental and ownership size.

Both are available. A canopy is lighter and lower-cost for occasional or seasonal use; a cab adds enclosed weather protection, which matters if the machine will see real work through a Grey-Bruce winter.

Yes — it's simple to operate and sized for most residential and small commercial digging, and its conventional tail swing isn't an issue as long as you have normal working clearance. If your jobs are consistently tight to fences or foundations, I'd point you toward the tight-tail U17 instead.