Competitive Comparison: Bobcat E50 vs. John Deere 50G Mini Excavator

Posted on December 1, 2020

Looking for a 5-ton compact excavator? We took a side-by-side look at two top models: the Bobcat E50 and the John Deere 50G. See which one came out ahead.

Summary

If you’re comparing the Bobcat E50 to the John Deere 50G mini excavator, here are the top things to know: 

  • You’ll get a lot more horsepower from the Bobcat E50 (49.7 hp) vs. the John Deere 50G (35.9 hp). 

  • If you’re looking for brute strength, the Bobcat model has 15% more bucket digging force and 29% more arm digging force than the John Deere. 

  • The Bobcat Pro-Clamp™ system makes it easy to grab objects of different shapes and sizes with your excavator. John Deere doesn’t offer it. 

  • While the two machines have similar interior dimensions, the Bobcat E50 wins for floor space. 

Keep scrolling for a more detailed look at these two mini excavator models. 

The mini excavator market is a crowded, competitive space. It can be tough to pick, especially in the 5-ton size class. At this size, you expect a machine that packs a supremely powerful punch in a small, maneuverable package. Something not too big and bulky, but not too puny either. 

If you’re considering a 5-ton compact excavator, two contenders vie for the top spot: the Bobcat E50 and the John Deere 50G. Let’s take a look at how these compact excavators fare in a head-to-head matchup.