Everything you need to know about hiring an excavator

Whether you're a homeowner doing some work on your yard or a contractor completing large-scale civil or commercial earthworks, hiring an excavator is one of the most efficient and cost-effective methods for moving large quantities of soil, rock, or other materials.

Excavators come in a variety of sizes and configurations to suit different job requirements, but before getting one, it’s important to understand the total in's and out's of hiring an excavator so that you'll be ready for anything when it comes to your earthmoving needs.

The size of the area you'll be working in.
The types of tasks you’ll be undertaking (i.e. general excavations, digging trenches, moving earth, ect.)
Whether you need to break concrete or asphalt or dig out a large amount of soil or rock.
How much material will need to be shifted and the distances it will need to be transported.

Which size of excavator is the best?

It’s important to think about what size excavator is best for the job you need done. Smaller mini diggers are best for smaller areas that might have tight access and limited space, while larger excavators are best for a more intensive excavation project that requires a lot of power. But remember that if you choose a smaller excavator than needed for the task, it may struggle and take longer to complete, while if you choose a larger one, you might end up paying more in hire costs than are needed for your job.

So how do you decide which size is best for you? Just remember to consider the following factors:

Do I need a licence to operate an excavator?

Mini diggers don't generally require licences to operate on private worksites, such as residential properties. The need for a licence to operate larger excavators can depend on your local council or state regulations, which varies between areas. Before hiring an excavator, it's a good idea to read up on these regulations to make sure if it's best to spend a little extra to wet hire a licensed operator to come with the machine.

How much does it cost to hire an excavator?

This can depend on a number of factors, which can include the size of the excavator and whether you're choosing dry or wet hire (i.e. if you're hiring an operator or not). But generally, the average rate of dry excavator hire in Australia can be as small as $20 an hour for small mini diggers in the 1.5 to 2.6 tonne range, and as high as $180 an hour for larger excavators such as 60 or 80 tonne models.

How much can an excavator dig in a day?

This depends on a number of factors, such as the size and power of the excavator, the type of soil or material being moved, and whether you need to load it onto larger trucks at any point. But generally speaking, mini excavators can move around 200 to 400 cubic metres per day while larger excavators can shift up to 1,000 cubic metres a day.

How much weight can an excavator lift?

It's important to consider the weight of the excavator itself which should be taken into account when considering how much weight it can carry. Mini excavators can generally lift from around 200 to 1,800kgs, while larger models can handle up to 50 tonnes. Remember to consult the operation manual for the excavator you hire, which will have the exact specifications and abilities of that model.

How can I hire a reliable excavator in NSW?

This is the easiest answer of all: just get in touch with a trustworthy excavator hire supplier! A good excavator hire company will have a variety of machines for you to choose from, as well as experienced operators who can provide you with advice and guidance on how best to complete your earthmoving project, and a diverse range of attachments to make easy work of all the earthworks that you need done.

So if you need to get started on your job with a reliable excavator hire option as soon as possible, take a look at the machines available for hire at Earthscape Plant Hire. We have a wide range of excavators, ranging from mini diggers to large excavators – just let us know what you need and we’ll provide it.

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