The construction industry needs diverse tools and equipment and sometimes, so does your backyard DIY project. The excavator is probably the most widely used form of construction equipment in the world because it has many uses, from earth-moving and handling materials to cutting down trees and demolishing buildings. In the same spirit of variety, different excavator sizes are right for different jobs.
Also referred to as a “digger”, an excavator is a piece of heavy machinery made up of a boom, dipper and bucket connected to a rotating cab. While most excavators can rotate 360 degrees, there are differences in design that suit different roles. Excavators are commonly used in industries like construction, mining and infrastructure, but they’re just as useful for the work you do around your own home. You just have to pick the right digger sizes for your needs.
As DIY dry hire professionals with more than a decade of experience behind us, the Ryno Hire team knows a fair bit about choosing the right machine for the task.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Size Excavator
Not all excavators are created equal; each is built differently for a wide range of terrain types and jobs, and their sizes are just as versatile. Size is one of the most important factors to consider. Your excavator needs to be able to access the sites you need to get to, dig as deep as you need and raise the loads you need lifted.
The size of your excavator can impact your efficiency and how long it takes you to complete a project. This matters a lot in the workplace, but you also don’t want a home project to take longer than it needs to. If the bucket of your digger is too small, it takes more scoops to dig the same-sized hole, which burns up excess time and fuel. Not that bigger is always better either: an excavator that’s too large can be difficult, if not impossible, to manoeuvre into tight spaces, damaging your surrounding structures.
Just as important is the fact that when it comes to excavators, size is power. Mini excavators are useful at the right time and place, but it’s important to make sure the excavator you choose is up to the task. If it doesn’t have the grunt, you’re looking at having to call for assistance or bring in some extra equipment. Choosing appropriate excavator sizes from the get-go will save you a lot of hassle and make sure your projects start off on the right foot.
What Size Excavator for What Job?
Here are some of the most common size ranges and the kinds of work they tend to be useful for:
1.0-tonne excavators
One tonne is mini excavator size, and these machines can fit through 700mm openings (800mm with a ROPS bar attached). This small but powerful excavator is perfect for jobs like landscaping, trenching, light demolition and digging foundations and driveways.
1.7-2.0 tonne excavators
This size suits a wide variety of jobs, but especially larger-scale ones in tight spaces. Excavators of this size are also excellent for digging foundations and landscaping, as well as a range of backyard jobs like levelling the land or constructing the right pathway.
2.5-3.0 tonne excavators
A 3-tonne excavator is generally considered to be on the larger side of mini excavator sizes. With a minimal tail swing, these excavators are smooth and easy to operate. A 3.0-tonne digger is a great choice for a range of projects, including stump removal work, light demolition work and landscaping.
3.5-4.0 tonne excavators
The most commonly used excavator size on general sites, 3.5-4.0 tonne diggers, is on the larger end of the size scale but still compact enough for most urban sites and spaces. A zero-swing machine that you can fit with an auger or rock hammer for increased functionality, an excavator this size is great for jobs like digging trenches and lifting pipes.
5.5-6.0 tonne excavators
5.5-6.0 tonne excavators are as compact and light as smaller machines yet have the grunt required to get the bigger jobs done. Perfect for heavy-duty work but with tight spaces or limited room, these excavators are ideal for jobs like digging, demolition, dredging, and material handling.
8.0-tonne excavators
The biggest of the bunch, Ryno Hire’s 8.0-tonne excavators are made for doing the hard yards. With the power to move massive mounds of dirt in a short space of time, these strong units are perfect for huge tasks like building a house pad or constructing a rock wall.
Dry Hire Excavators at Ryno Hire
Whether you need an excavator for a weekend or a year, Ryno Hire has excavator hire of all sizes that you can rent on a dry hire basis (dry hire means you can operate them yourself and don’t have to pay a professional operator). We have a range of excavator sizes, and we’re happy to advise you on which one suits your project best. All you need to hire one of our excavators is a valid open Australian driver’s licence.
On top of our excavators themselves, we also have a selection of specialised attachments for hire including hydraulic auger drivers and drills, hydraulic rock breakers, hydraulic rock grabs, levelling/spreader bars, concrete sleeper grabs, chain trenchers, tilt buckets and more.
The Ryno Hire team knows our earthmoving equipment well and is more than happy to offer expert advice on digger sizes and accessories. To find out more, call the Ryno Hire team on 07 3353 2230 or fill out an enquiry form.
10 June 2024
