CFG Excavators Overview And Models

CFG excavators are a line of compact mini excavators commonly found in auctions, import sales, and budget construction equipment markets. The CFG name is not tied to a single manufacturer; instead, it is a branding label applied to machines produced by multiple Chinese OEM factories. These machines are primarily designed for light construction, landscaping, property maintenance, and small contractor projects. “CFG” likely stands for a generic industrial label such as “CFG Industry,” but it does not represent a single factory or globally recognized brand.

Where CFG Excavators Are Made

Most CFG excavators are manufactured in China by third-party OEMs and then exported under the CFG label. Some of these machines are also sold under other names such as AGT Industrial, Hightop, Rhinoceros, or Titan, depending on the distributor or auction house. The branding is largely for marketing purposes, with the core machine platforms being nearly identical across these different labels.

Understanding CFG Model Numbers

CFG model numbers use a combination of letters and numbers to indicate platform and approximate size class, but there is no official decoding. Generally:

The letters (MX, MH, QK, H, QH, XZ, NT) indicate a platform, design variant, or sometimes the control system type.
The numbers (12, 15, 16, 18, 20) roughly correspond to size class and weight of the excavator, with higher numbers indicating larger machines.
The suffix “R” or “RX” typically denotes a revision or upgraded hydraulic/control system, with RX often indicating pilot joystick controls.

Due to this naming system, many different model numbers can refer to machines with almost identical performance, differing mainly in controls, minor hydraulics, or cosmetic details.

Common Uses for CFG Excavators

CFG mini excavators are typically used in:

Residential landscaping and yard work
Trenching for utilities, irrigation, and small foundations
Light construction projects where large equipment cannot fit
Farm and acreage maintenance, including fence post digging and clearing

These machines are designed for operators who need a compact, portable excavator for short-term or light-duty work, with most units weighing between 1 and 2 tons.

CFG Excavator Models and Technical Differences

Model	Size Class	Weight	Controls	Dig Depth	Engine	Horsepower	Features	Bucket Size
H12R	1 ton	~1,800–2,000 lb	Lever controls	~5'5"–5'9"	Gas (RATO 420cc)	13.5 HP	Aux hydraulics, dozer blade, fixed thumb	~16–17 in
QH12R	1 ton	~2,000 lb	Lever controls	~5'5" (65 in)	Gas (RATO 420cc)	13.5–15 HP	Aux hydraulics, dozer blade, fixed thumb	~16 in
MX12RX	1 ton	~1,620–1,800 lb	Pilot joystick controls	~5'9"	Gas (RATO 420cc)	13.5–15 HP	Pilot controls, aux hydraulics, dozer blade, thumb option	~16 in
MH12RX	1 ton	~1,799–2,000 lb	Pilot joystick controls	~5'11" (1.8 m)	Gas (RATO 420cc)	13.5 HP	Pilot controls, aux hydraulics, manual thumb, blade	~17 in
H15R	1.5 ton	~2,400–2,600 lb	Mechanical levers	~7'–8'	Gas (RATO)	15 HP	Adjustable thumb, dozer blade, aux hydraulics	~16 in
MX15RX	1.5 ton	~1,500–1,700 lb	Pilot joysticks	~6 ft	Gas (RATO)	15 HP	Pilot controls, aux hydraulics, dozer blade	~14–16 in
QK16R	1.5 ton	~1,600–1,700 lb	Pilot joysticks	~6.1 ft	Gas (RATO)	16 HP	Pilot controls, aux hydraulics	~14–16 in
NT18K	1.5–1.8 ton	<3,000 lb	Pilot joysticks	~7 ft (84 in)	Diesel (Kubota D722, 3-cyl, water-cooled)	13.5–20 HP	Dual aux hydraulics, dozer blade, hydraulic thumb, digital gauge, safety lock	~15.5–18 in
MX20R	~1 ton class	~2,315 lb (1,050 kg)	Pilot joysticks	~7'5" (2,257 mm)	Gas (RATO 739cc, 2-cyl)	23 HP (28 HP peak)	Swing boom, aux hydraulics, hydraulic thumb, dozer blade, rear counterweight	~16 in
QK20R	1 ton	~2,160 lb (980 kg)	Pilot joysticks	~5'6" (1,693 mm)	Gas (RATO 739cc)	23 HP	Side swing boom, aux hydraulics, hydraulic thumb, dozer blade	~14–16 in

H12R 1 ton

Weight: ~1,800–2,000 lb
Controls: Lever controls
Dig Depth: ~5'5"–5'9"
Engine: Gas (RATO 420cc)
Horsepower: 13.5 HP
Bucket Size: ~16–17 in
Features: Aux hydraulics, dozer blade, fixed thumb

QH12R 1 ton

Weight: ~2,000 lb
Controls: Lever controls
Dig Depth: ~5'5" (65 in)
Engine: Gas (RATO 420cc)
Horsepower: 13.5–15 HP
Bucket Size: ~16 in
Features: Aux hydraulics, dozer blade, fixed thumb

MX12RX 1 ton

Weight: ~1,620–1,800 lb
Controls: Pilot joystick controls
Dig Depth: ~5'9"
Engine: Gas (RATO 420cc)
Horsepower: 13.5–15 HP
Bucket Size: ~16 in
Features: Pilot controls, aux hydraulics, dozer blade, thumb option

MH12RX 1 ton

Weight: ~1,799–2,000 lb
Controls: Pilot joystick controls
Dig Depth: ~5'11" (1.8 m)
Engine: Gas (RATO 420cc)
Horsepower: 13.5 HP
Bucket Size: ~17 in
Features: Pilot controls, aux hydraulics, manual thumb, blade

H15R 1.5 ton

Weight: ~2,400–2,600 lb
Controls: Mechanical levers
Dig Depth: ~7'–8'
Engine: Gas (RATO)
Horsepower: 15 HP
Bucket Size: ~16 in
Features: Adjustable thumb, dozer blade, aux hydraulics

MX15RX 1.5 ton

Weight: ~1,500–1,700 lb
Controls: Pilot joysticks
Dig Depth: ~6 ft
Engine: Gas (RATO)
Horsepower: 15 HP
Bucket Size: ~14–16 in
Features: Pilot controls, aux hydraulics, dozer blade

QK16R 1.5 ton

Weight: ~1,600–1,700 lb
Controls: Pilot joysticks
Dig Depth: ~6.1 ft
Engine: Gas (RATO)
Horsepower: 16 HP
Bucket Size: ~14–16 in
Features: Pilot controls, aux hydraulics

NT18K 1.5–1.8 ton

Weight: <3,000 lb
Controls: Pilot joysticks
Dig Depth: ~7 ft (84 in)
Engine: Diesel (Kubota D722, 3-cyl, water-cooled)
Horsepower: 13.5–20 HP
Bucket Size: ~15.5–18 in
Features: Dual aux hydraulics, dozer blade, hydraulic thumb, digital gauge, safety lock

MX20R ~1 ton class

Weight: ~2,315 lb (1,050 kg)
Controls: Pilot joysticks
Dig Depth: ~7'5" (2,257 mm)
Engine: Gas (RATO 739cc, 2-cyl)
Horsepower: 23 HP (28 HP peak)
Bucket Size: ~16 in
Features: Swing boom, aux hydraulics, hydraulic thumb, dozer blade, rear counterweight