Mustang ME 12002

The ME 12002 weighs 11,519.9 kg, putting it above the ten-tonne mark at which the standard excavator class begins. It is driven by a four-cylinder diesel engine of 4,522.8 cm³ displacement from John Deere's 4045 series, rated at 100.4 hp or 67.1 kW. The hydraulic pump delivers up to 262 l/min at a system pressure of 259.9 bar, ground clearance is 420.6 mm and overall height is 2,795 mm.

With this ratio of displacement, pump output and operating weight, the ME 12002 is set up for classic civil engineering work: trenching, laying pipework and earthmoving on a medium to large scale. The high pump flow supports heavier attachments such as hydraulic breakers or sorting grapples through the quick coupler.

When buying used, it is worth checking the undercarriage and track tension, since the machine's weight places heavy strain on the running gear. Also relevant are tight hydraulic cylinders, the hours on the John Deere unit, and the availability of parts for the widely used 4045 engine family, which was also fitted by other construction equipment brands. The quick coupler itself belongs on the checklist too, since frequent attachment changes wear it out faster than other components.