Excavator Hire Adelaide

Excavator Hire Adelaide
Mini to Medium Excavators

Same-day delivery Northern Adelaide | From $200/day | Wet & dry hire options

Professional Excavator Hire Throughout Adelaide

Equip Hire & Contracting provides professional excavator hire services throughout Adelaide, offering compact mini excavators (1.8 tonne and 2.5 tonne) perfect for residential, landscaping, and light commercial projects. Based in Modbury Heights, we deliver fast, reliable excavation equipment with same-day delivery available to Northern Adelaide suburbs.

Whether you're excavating for a residential pool, preparing a house site, trenching for underground services, or tackling landscaping work, our mini excavator fleet ensures you have the right machine for your specific project requirements. All equipment arrives fully serviced, fueled, and ready to work.

Our excavator hire service includes:

1.8T and 2.5T mini excavators
Same-day delivery throughout Northern Adelaide
Wet hire (with operator) and dry hire options
All standard attachments included (buckets, rippers)
Flexible hire periods (daily to weekly)
In-house technical support
3.5T tipper trailer available for spoil removal

Excavator Sizes & Specifications

1.8 Tonne Mini Excavator

1.8 Tonne Mini Excavator

Our most compact excavator, perfect for tight access residential projects and confined site work.

Specifications:

  • Operating weight: 1,800kg
  • Maximum digging depth: 2.3m - 2.5m
  • Maximum reach: 3.8m - 4.0m
  • Bucket widths available: 200mm, 300mm, 450mm, 600mm
  • Track width: Retractable for tight access
  • Tail swing: Zero tail swing design
  • Transport: Fits on standard braked trailer

Best applications:

  • Residential pool excavation (small to medium pools)
  • Garden landscaping and preparation
  • Trenching for plumbing and electrical (up to 2m deep)
  • Tight access sites (900mm+ gate width)
  • Retaining wall preparation
  • Shed pad levelling

Why choose 1.8T:

  • Fits through standard gates and narrow access
  • Minimal ground disturbance
  • Perfect for established gardens
  • Easy to transport (most vehicles can tow)
  • Cost-effective for small projects

2.5 Tonne Mini Excavator

Increased power and reach while maintaining compact dimensions. The versatile workhorse of residential and light commercial projects.

Specifications:

  • Operating weight: 2,500kg
  • Maximum digging depth: 2.7m - 2.9m
  • Maximum reach: 4.5m - 4.8m
  • Bucket widths available: 300mm, 450mm, 600mm, 900mm
  • Digging force: 20kN - 23kN
  • Tail swing: Zero tail swing design
  • Transport: Requires equipment trailer

Best applications:

  • Large residential pool excavation
  • House site preparation (minor levelling)
  • Commercial landscaping projects
  • Deep trenching for sewer lines (up to 2.5m)
  • Medium-sized retaining walls
  • Light commercial construction

Why choose 2.5T:

  • Significantly more power than 1.8T
  • Greater reach and depth
  • Handles heavy clay and rocky soil better
  • Still compact enough for residential sites
  • Ideal residential-commercial crossover machine
2.5 Tonne Mini Excavator
3.5 Tonne Tipper Trailer

3.5 Tonne Tipper Trailer

Reliable tipper trailer for material transport, soil removal, and site deliveries. Perfect combination with excavator hire for complete project efficiency.

Specifications:

  • Capacity: 3,500kg
  • Tray size: Suitable for excavation spoil
  • Hydraulic tipping: Easy unloading
  • Tow requirement: Standard vehicle with towing capacity

Best applications:

  • Soil and spoil removal from excavation
  • Material delivery to site
  • Garden waste removal
  • Construction debris transport
  • Landscape supply delivery

Why hire with excavator:

  • Complete project solution
  • Efficient spoil removal
  • Cost-effective combination packages
  • Single delivery for both equipment

How to Choose the Right Excavator Size

Selecting the appropriate excavator ensures project efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Consider these key factors:

Choose 1.8T Mini Excavator if:

  • Gate width is 900mm - 1,300mm
  • Excavation depth required is under 2.5m
  • Project is small to medium residential (under 50m³)
  • Site has established gardens needing protection
  • You want to minimize lawn/garden disturbance
  • Cost is primary consideration
  • You plan to transport excavator yourself

$200 per day

Choose 2.5T Mini Excavator if:

  • Gate width is 1.4m or wider
  • Excavation depth required is 2.5m - 3m
  • Project involves substantial earthmoving (50m³+)
  • Soil is heavy clay or contains rock
  • Speed/efficiency is important (deadlines, weather)
  • You need extended reach (4.5m+)
  • Project is larger residential or light commercial

$300 per day

Site Access Requirements

Tight access (under 1.4m gates):

  • 1.8T excavator (retractable tracks)
  • Zero tail swing prevents rear overhang
  • Ideal for established residential properties

Standard residential access (1.4m+):

  • Either 1.8T or 2.5T suitable
  • Choose based on project size and soil conditions
  • 2.5T recommended for heavy clay

Pro tip: Measure your gate width and access path before booking. We can visit site to assess if needed.

Soil Conditions

Loose/sandy soil:

  • 1.8T excavator adequate
  • Easy digging, lower force required

Clay soil (Adelaide common):

  • 2.5T recommended for established clay
  • Consider wet hire for difficult conditions

Rocky ground:

  • 2.5T with ripper attachment
  • Wet hire operator recommended

Not sure about your soil? We know Adelaide soil conditions - call us to discuss your specific location.

Not sure? Call Jack on 0466 286 704 - we can discuss your specific project and recommend the ideal excavator size.

CALL NOW: 0466 286 704

Service Areas - Fast Delivery Throughout Adelaide

Northern Adelaide

Same-Day

Our Modbury Heights location enables rapid delivery:

Immediate suburbs:

Modbury, Modbury Heights, Tea Tree Gully, Surrey Downs, Hope Valley, Banksia Park

Northern suburbs (within 30 minutes):

Salisbury, Salisbury North, Salisbury Downs, Salisbury East, Elizabeth, Elizabeth South, Munno Para, Smithfield, Blakeview, Andrews Farm, Craigmore

Northeast suburbs:

Golden Grove, Greenwith, Yatala Vale, One Tree Hill, Gould Creek

Gawler region:

Gawler, Gawler South, Gawler East, Hewett, Willaston, Evanston

Delivery commitment: Same-day delivery available when booked before 10am on weekdays.

Northern Adelaide details

Adelaide Metropolitan

We service all Adelaide metropolitan suburbs:

Eastern suburbs:

Norwood, Magill, Rostrevor, Athelstone, Newton, Campbelltown, Paradise

Inner city:

Adelaide CBD, North Adelaide, Prospect, Walkerville, Medindie

Western suburbs:

Port Adelaide, Semaphore, West Lakes, Henley Beach, Grange

Southern suburbs:

Marion, Mitcham, Morphett Vale, Blackwood, Belair

Delivery timeframe: Next-day delivery standard, same-day possible depending on availability.

Adelaide Hills

Full service to Adelaide Hills region:

Hills towns:

Mount Barker, Stirling, Crafers, Aldgate, Bridgewater, Hahndorf, Birdwood, Lobethal, Woodside

Delivery notes: Adelaide Hills projects may have specific access considerations. We can assess access if needed.

Adelaide Hills details

We also service the Barossa Valley wine region and Glenelg coastal suburbs

Why Choose Equip Hire & Contracting for Excavator Hire?

Locally Based, Rapid Response

Our Modbury Heights location means faster delivery to Adelaide suburbs, particularly Northern Adelaide. When you need equipment today, we can often deliver within hours - not days like larger companies.

Equipment You Can Rely On

Every excavator is maintained by our in-house technicians. Equipment arrives fully serviced, safety-checked, clean and ready to work with a full fuel tank and all standard attachments included.

Personal Service from Owner Jack

When you call Equip Hire & Contracting, you speak with Jack, the owner. No call centres, no runaround. Just direct communication with someone who genuinely cares about your project success.

Flexible, Accommodating Service

Need equipment for a few hours? No problem. Need to extend your hire? Just call. Last-minute booking? We'll do our best to help. We work with your project needs and timeline.

Transparent, Honest Pricing

What we quote is what you pay. No hidden fees, no surprise charges. Competitive rates with the flexibility of a local business and professionalism of larger companies.

Local Knowledge & Expertise

We understand Adelaide soil conditions across different suburbs, local council requirements, weather impact on excavation timing, and site access challenges in established suburbs.

"The big hire companies told me 3-4 days wait. I called Equip Hire at 8am, had the excavator delivered by 11am. Project back on schedule."

- Mark S., Builder, Salisbury

"Jack took the time to come out and assess our site before we booked. Made sure we had the right excavator for our clay soil. That kind of service is rare."

- Sarah T., Homeowner, Tea Tree Gully

Who We Serve

Residential Homeowners

Tackling a backyard project? We provide professional excavation equipment with guidance to help DIY homeowners achieve excellent results.

Common projects:

  • Pool and spa excavation
  • Backyard landscaping and levelling
  • Retaining wall preparation
  • Garden bed preparation
  • Driveway installation
  • Shed pad preparation

Builders & Developers

Professional construction companies rely on us for responsive equipment access, reliable machinery, and flexible hire arrangements.

Common projects:

  • House site preparation and cut/fill
  • Foundation excavation
  • Sewer and stormwater trenching
  • Site access roads
  • Multi-unit developments
  • Subdivision earthworks

Landscapers

Professional landscaping companies choose Equip Hire & Contracting for quality equipment, same-day availability, and equipment that arrives ready to work.

Common projects:

  • Garden preparation and levelling
  • Retaining wall installation
  • Feature installation (ponds, rock features)
  • Soil removal and replacement
  • Irrigation trenching
  • Tree planting preparation

Plumbers, Electricians & Tradespeople

Fast, reliable trenching equipment when you need it. We understand that your projects run on tight schedules - we deliver accordingly.

Common projects:

  • Sewer line trenching
  • Stormwater installation
  • Electrical conduit trenching
  • NBN and telecommunications trenching
  • Water main connections
  • Underground service installation

How Equipment Hire Works

1

Contact Us for Availability

Call Jack on 0466 286 704 or complete our online quote form. We'll confirm equipment availability and provide transparent pricing immediately.

2

We Confirm Your Booking

Once you're happy with the quote, we'll lock in your booking with equipment delivery time confirmation. No deposits required for established customers.

3

Equipment Delivered Ready to Work

Your excavator or tipper arrives clean, fully fueled, with all standard attachments included. We provide a brief equipment orientation to ensure you're comfortable with operation.

4

Project Support Throughout Hire Period

If you need any assistance during your hire, call us directly. We're available for technical support, operation guidance, or equipment issues.

5

Equipment Pickup at Project Completion

Let us know when you've finished, and we'll arrange equipment pickup at a time convenient for you. Simple final inspection and you're done.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at jack@equiphireau.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

For our mini excavators (1.8T, 2.5T), we often have availability for next-day or even same-day delivery. For guaranteed specific dates, we recommend booking 3-7 days ahead. Last-minute bookings welcome - call us to check availability.
Just call us to extend your hire period. If the excavator isn't booked by another customer, we'll happily extend at the daily rate. We're flexible - your project timeline comes first.
Yes, we service all Adelaide Hills areas including Mount Barker, Stirling, Crafers, Aldgate, and surrounding regions. Hills deliveries typically scheduled for next-day. Contact us for specific timing.
Call us immediately on 0466 286 704. We'll provide technical support by phone to diagnose and potentially fix the issue. If needed, we'll come to site or provide replacement equipment. Your project won't be delayed by equipment issues. This is the advantage of dealing with a local business with in-house technicians.
With every dry hire delivery, we provide basic operation orientation covering control functions, safety features, basic operation techniques, and what to do if issues arise. However, we expect customers to have basic machinery experience. If you're completely new to excavators, we strongly recommend wet hire with our operator.
While most customers prefer our delivery service, pickup is possible for equipment that can be transported on trailers (1.8T excavators). Contact us to arrange pickup. Note: 2.5T excavators require equipment transport trailers, making our delivery service more practical for these machines.
Key differences: Size & Access - 1.8T fits through narrower gates (tight-access machine), 2.5T typically needs 1.4m+ gates. Depth & Reach - 1.8T approx. 2.3-2.5m digging depth, 3.8-4.0m reach; 2.5T approx. 2.7-2.9m digging depth, 4.5-4.8m reach. Power - 2.5T has significantly more digging force for heavy clay and rocky soil. Cost - 1.8T: $200/day, 2.5T: $300/day.
All our excavators run on diesel. Equipment arrives with a full fuel tank. For extended hires, you'll need to refuel (diesel) as required. Equipment should be returned with a full fuel tank, or refueling charges apply.
Wet hire typically costs approximately double dry hire rates, but often provides better value when you consider faster project completion (experienced operator efficiency), no machinery learning curve, professional results from day one, reduced risk of equipment damage, and problem-solving expertise included. For complex projects, difficult ground, or time-critical work, wet hire often pays for itself in time saved.
We accept bank transfer (preferred for larger hires), credit card, and cash. Payment terms available for established commercial customers. Payment typically required before equipment delivery for new customers.
Absolutely. We work with builders, developers, landscaping companies, and contractors regularly. We offer commercial payment terms (for established customers), long-term hire arrangements, multiple equipment packages, and priority booking for regular customers. Call Jack on 0466 286 704 to discuss commercial project requirements.

"Great service! Very professional and convenient delivering the machine on time to our job site then being flexible with pick-up times. Machine presented very well upon delivery. I will definitely use Equip Hire & Contracting again!"

- Satisfied Customer

Ready to Hire an Excavator?

Call Jack directly for immediate availability and pricing, or request a quote online.

Location

224 Kelly Rd, Modbury Heights SA 5092