2026 John Deere 26P

The John Deere 26P Compact Excavator represents a highly capable 2.7-metric ton mini excavator engineered to deliver exceptional productivity, versatility, and operator comfort in confined working environments where larger equipment cannot operate effectively. Powered by a Yanmar 3TNV80F diesel engine producing 20 net horsepower at 2,500 rpm with 77 cubic inches of displacement, this compact powerhouse meets EPA Final Tier 4 and EU Stage IV emissions standards without requiring aftertreatment devices, dramatically reducing maintenance complexity and operating costs while providing reliable performance. The 26P features a reduced-tail-swing design with only 31 inches of rear-end swing radius, maximizing maneuverability and performance in cramped urban jobsites, residential backyards, and tight spaces between structures where precision excavation and material handling are essential. Equipped with a standard 6 feet 11 inch boom and 3 feet 10 inch standard arm configuration, the 26P delivers impressive performance capabilities including maximum digging reach of 15 feet 2 inches, maximum digging depth of 8 feet 6 inches, maximum cutting height of 14 feet 7 inches with canopy or 14 feet 1 inch with cab, and maximum dumping height of 10 feet 6 inches with canopy or 10 feet with cab, providing extensive working envelope for a machine in this size class. The excavator generates substantial digging forces with 4,994 pounds of bucket breakout force and 3,410 pounds of arm digging force, enabling efficient excavation through various soil conditions including clay, hardpan, and rocky terrain. Lift capacities demonstrate remarkable capability with 2,573 pounds over the front at ground level at 10-foot radius with blade down using canopy configuration, or 2,592 pounds with cab configuration, while side lifting provides 781 pounds with canopy or 850 pounds with cab, making the machine suitable for diverse material handling and placement applications. The standard hydraulically operated backfill blade measures 4 feet 11 inches in width by 12.6 inches in height and can be positioned from 13 inches highest to 12 inches lowest, enhancing machine versatility by enabling grading, backfilling, and leveling operations while providing additional stability when operating attachments or working on uneven terrain. The advanced open-center hydraulic system features two variable-displacement piston pumps each delivering 7.9 gpm, one fixed-gear pump providing 4.3 gpm, and one pilot pump, with auxiliary hydraulic flow of 12.2 gpm available at the boom end for powering demanding attachments including hydraulic hammers, augers with planetary or chain drive configurations, plate compactors, and clamps. The independent swing boom capability allows 70 degrees of offset to the left and 60 degrees to the right with a 3-inch boom-swing pivot-offset distance, enabling operators to work parallel to foundations, walls, and obstacles while maintaining the undercarriage in a stationary position, significantly improving productivity in congested work areas. Standard auxiliary selector valve enables the connection of two attachments simultaneously by changing valve position to divert supply and return oil from one attachment to another, maximizing versatility and reducing downtime during attachment changes. The hydraulic pilot-operated controls provide smooth, precise, and responsive command of all functions including boom, arm, bucket, swing, boom swing, blade, travel, and auxiliary operations through comfortable pilot-control levers with auxiliary function integrated into the right-hand pilot lever. A control pattern selector valve conveniently located in a compartment beneath the seat includes a sight glass display, allowing operators to easily switch between excavator-style and backhoe-style control patterns to accommodate individual preferences and maximize operator efficiency. Power and economy modes optimize engine performance for specific applications, with power mode delivering maximum digging force and economy mode improving fuel efficiency for lighter-duty operations, enabling operators to match machine output to task requirements. The spacious operator station features a wide entryway for easy access, suspension vinyl seat with fore/aft adjustment and retractable 2-inch seat belt, swing boom and foldable travel pedals positioned for efficient operation with comfortable foot room, comprehensive instrumentation including illuminated power and eco mode selectors, hour meter, fuel gauge with low-fuel indicator, engine oil pressure warning, alternator charge warning, engine coolant warning with alarm, preheat indicator, and work lights indicator, along with a 12-volt accessory outlet for powering electronic devices. Standard ROPS/TOPS/FOPS canopy structure provides operator protection while maintaining excellent visibility and ventilation, with optional four-season ROPS/TOPS/FOPS cab featuring front glass that delivers expansive visibility, standard heating, and air conditioning for all-weather operation and maximum operator comfort during extended shifts. The undercarriage system utilizes independent planetary final drives with two-speed axial-piston propel motors featuring automatic shifting that intelligently adjusts track speeds based on load conditions, slowing to low speed when encountering heavier loads then automatically returning to high speed when loads normalize without requiring pedal or operator activation, with travel speeds of 1.8 mph in low range and 2.8 mph in high range. Standard 12-inch rubber tracks with 5 feet track length from sprocket center to idler center provide ground pressure of only 3.6 psi with canopy configuration or 3.8 psi with cab configuration, minimizing ground disturbance on sensitive surfaces including finished lawns, landscaping, and paved areas. The robust box-constructed X-frame undercarriage design mirrors that found on larger excavators with superior dirt and debris shedding capabilities, while track-sag adjusters conveniently located in the center of each track frame enable easy tension maintenance using only a standard high-pressure grease gun to maximize undercarriage component life. Heavy-duty side shields protect propel motors and boom/blade cylinders from material impacts and debris damage, while securely clamped steel hydraulic lines and CORDURA-covered rubber hoses provide exceptional durability in the most demanding applications and harsh environments. The standard mechanical wedge-style quick-coupler enables rapid attachment changes and accepts a wide variety of John Deere work tools including multiple bucket configurations from 18-inch standard to ditching and heavy-duty designs with optional bucket teeth, hydraulic hammers with various breaker points and tools for concrete demolition and rock breaking, planetary and chain-drive augers with diverse bit sizes and adapters for drilling and boring applications, clamps for material handling and sorting, and plate compactors, with many attachments compatible across other John Deere compact machines for optimized fleet utilization and reduced equipment investment. Serviceability features include hinged access doors providing wide-open access to side-by-side oil cooler and radiator with trash-resistant design enabling quick and easy core cleanout, ground-level service points for routine maintenance, extended service intervals to maximize uptime, vandal protection for service doors and fuel cap, and optional tilt tool allowing the cab or canopy to tilt forward up to 50 degrees for industry-leading access to components beneath the floor. The swing system utilizes a wet-disc swing brake that is spring-applied and hydraulically released for automatic operation and long-term maintenance-free performance, with swing speed of 9.1 rpm and full 360-degree rotation capability enabling efficient operation in confined areas. Fluid capacities include 9-gallon fuel tank for extended runtime, 6.3-gallon hydraulic tank, 3.3-quart cooling system, and 3.9-quart engine oil capacity with full-flow oil filter. Standard equipment includes engine coolant rated to negative 37 degrees Celsius for cold-climate operation, engine preheater for reliable cold-weather starting, fan guard, fuel/water separator, isolation-mounted engine for reduced vibration and enhanced operator comfort, key start switch with electric fuel shutoff, single dry-type air filter, under-hood muffler, auxiliary hydraulic lines to boom end, axial-piston swing motor, boom-swing foot control, propel levers and foldable pedals, two travel speeds with automatic shifting, 40-amp alternator with low-maintenance battery and blade-type multi-fused circuits, positive-terminal battery covers, horn, motion alarm with cancel switch, two halogen work lights with one mounted on operator station and one on boom, standard counterweight of 531 pounds for canopy or 459 pounds for cab configuration with 21-inch counterweight height, and tie-down points for secure transport. Optional equipment includes JDLink connectivity hardware with John Deere Operations Center account for analyzing critical machine data, tracking utilization, reviewing diagnostic alerts, and enabling Connected Support that leverages data from thousands of connected machines to proactively address issues, with dealers able to remotely monitor machine health, diagnose problems, and update software without jobsite visits. Operating weight with standard arm, standard counterweight, rubber tracks, full fuel tank, and 175-pound operator is 5,780 pounds with canopy or 6,110 pounds with cab configuration, with compact transport dimensions of 13 feet 9 inches overall length with blade in front or 14 feet 8 inches with blade in rear, 8 feet transport height, 12 inches minimum ground clearance, and 4 feet 7 inches upperstructure width with canopy or 4 feet 8 inches with cab. The 26P excavator is ideally suited for residential construction, commercial site development, landscaping installation, utility trenching, foundation work, rental fleet applications, and any project requiring powerful excavation and material handling capabilities in confined urban environments, tight residential backyards, or congested jobsites where the reduced-tail-swing design, compact footprint, and exceptional maneuverability are essential for contractor productivity and profitability.