5 Top Uses for a Mini Excavator Rental
Weighing in at 30,000 or 40,000 pounds or more, excavators are the titans of construction sites and provide supreme digging power. But their smaller counterparts, mini excavators, offer the compact size and outstanding versatility needed to tackle a wide variety of landscaping, trenching, digging and drilling projects.
Tipping the scale at anywhere from 3,000 to 10,000 pounds, these machines are also known as compact excavators, small excavators or track hoes. A plethora of attachment options that go beyond the standard bucket and blade further enhance their usefulness.
You can rent a mini excavator to accomplish a wide variety of tasks quickly, safely, conveniently and efficiently. Thanks to its compact footprint, you can easily maneuver a mini excavator rental through a backyard gate and in and around tight spaces. Plus, its light weight makes it easy to load on and off a trailer for transport.
When you’re ready to transform your yard or project site, simply contact your local ARA-affiliated rental store for the mini excavator rental you need to make your project a success. You can rent mini excavators of different sizes and weights according to the tasks you need to complete. Your ARA-affiliated rental store professional can answer any questions and help you determine the right machine and attachments for you.
Below are 5 of the most common mini excavator uses:
1. Installing pools and hot tubs. There are approximately 10.4 million residential pools in the United States, according to the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP). A mini excavator rental with the bucket attachment is the ideal solution for installing in-ground pools, hot tubs and even garden ponds. The machine’s power, maneuverability and precision handling make it a go-to for residential earthmoving, even in hard-to-reach backyards or crowded properties.
2. Repairing sewer lines. For basic sewer line repairs, a mini excavator is often a better choice than a full-size machine such as a trencher. (Just make sure to assess the required digging depth for the sewer line to ensure it’s within reach of a mini excavator.) Mini excavators allow operators to efficiently move dirt when fixing sewer lines, as well as fit in tight spots near structures. After the sewer line is repaired, the mini excavator can level the ground using an attachment tool called a dozer blade.
3. Demolishing small structures. Many times, barns, sheds or other small structures need to be taken down. With a breaker attachment, a mini excavator provides a great way to effortlessly destroy them, saving you a ton of time if you were to attempt to demolish the structures with hand-powered tools. The mini excavator can also be used to load the wood and debris onto the back of a truck or trailer for disposal.
4. Plowing snow. In winter, there is often the need to clear snow from roads, driveways and parking lots. Using a special push blade attachment, a mini excavator rental can plow snow with ease. The machine can be just as effective as a snowplow, and its compact size and light operating weight help you to get around on snow-covered roads quicker.
5. Doing landscaping work. When it comes to landscaping projects, nothing beats the versatility, practicality and maneuverability of a mini excavator. The range of attachments turns it into a multi-purpose landscaping tool, giving you the ability to break concrete, compact soil, place fence posts, remove trees, plant trees, build retaining walls, load materials, clear brush and thick plant growth, build paths and trails and more.
To make any digging, trenching, demolishing and landscaping work easier and more efficient, it would be wise to use a mini excavator rental in some capacity. Contact your local ARA-affiliated rental store when you’re ready to tackle your next project, and the rental professionals will guide you to the right size and type of mini excavator, along with the appropriate attachments. Simply use the Rental Store Locator above to find a store near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mini excavator used for?
Mini excavator capabilities are diverse and many. In general, mini excavators are used for digging, trenching, backfilling, leveling, grading, plowing and even drilling. When it comes to digging, a 3,000- to 3,999-lb. mini excavator can dig a 7.8-foot-deep hole, while 7,000- to 9,999-lb. excavators can dig as deep as 10.2 feet.
What kind of jobs can you do with a mini excavator?
A mini excavator’s compact size allows for quick, agile movement into tight, awkward areas that can hasten up many jobs, including digging holes, making small trenches, demolishing small structures, completing landscaping work, plowing snow, repairing sewer lines, digging holes for swimming pools, garden ponds and hot tubs, and so much more.
Is a mini excavator good for clearing land?
Yes! Mini excavators are great for clearing land that has a lot of fallen trees, shrubs and debris on the ground. You can attach a ripper attachment to cut into the ground and loosen or pull out deeply embedded roots and rocks, and you can use a brush cutter attachment to mow dense vegetation. A bucket with thumb attachment is great for handling rocks, branches, stumps and trees.