Abstract: A compact excavator has a superstructure, a swinging or swivelling mechanism connecting said superstructure with a chassis for swinging said superstructure relative to said chassis about a vertical axis, and a boom on said superstructure. The boom is linked to the superstructure directly by a parallel guide having a parallelogram link (14 or 14') and an intermediate member (12). The parallel guide is able to swing about a vertical axis (13', 13") secured to the superstructure (3). The intermediate member (12) has a fixed length and the parallelogram link (14, 14') may have a fixed length link or a hydraulic actuator piston cylinder having a variable length. Such a construction simplifies additional movements required of the driver for operating the excavator.