Mini excavator dry hire
Straightforward equipment hire from Digger2Hire.
Brand-new Kubota U17-3
$250 per day
3 buckets · Ripper · Auger & bits · Hydraulic rock grabber
Delivery & collection available
Owner-operated. Deal directly with Frank or Rick.
After-hours calls welcome
No extra attachment hire charges
Flexible delivery and collection times
Our most popular all-rounder
Our flagship: Kubota U17-3
Compact enough for residential access and capable enough for serious landscaping, trenching, drainage and post-hole work.
Dry hire means you operate the machine. We help you confirm the right setup, attachments, delivery or collection and handover.
- Expandable undercarriage for access and stability
- Zero-tail-swing design for tighter work areas
- Modern Kubota reliability and straightforward controls
- Safety equipped: flashing light, external emergency stop and 1 kg fire extinguisher
Simple daily pricing
$250 / day
The mini excavator and complete attachment package are included in the daily hire rate.
Delivery & collection
$150 within approximately 20 km. Other locations quoted individually.
Customer pickup may be available where the tow vehicle, licence and circumstances are suitable.
More machine options
Need a different size?
The U17-3 is our most popular all-rounder, but Digger2Hire also has excavators from 0.9T to 5.5T depending on your hire location and job requirements. Choose your hire location to see the machines available near you.
Included attachments
Bring the right tool to the job.
No surprise attachment fees. The package is designed to cover the jobs most homeowners, landscapers and trades need to complete.
3 buckets
300mm bucket with teeth · 450mm bucket with teeth · 1000mm mud bucket with bolt-on edge.
Ripper
Break compacted soil, roots and stubborn ground before digging.
Auger & bits
Auger Torque X2000 drive unit · 300mm auger · 450mm auger.
Hydraulic rock grabber
Grip and move rocks and other awkward materials more easily.
Images are for illustrative purposes only.
How it works
From available dates to digging.
Call or SMS us
Tell us what you need to do, where the job is and when you need the excavator.
We confirm your hire
We’ll confirm availability, the hire period, attachments, delivery or collection and your total price.
Complete the hire agreement
We will bring a hard-copy hire agreement for you to review and sign at handover.
Handover & payment
At delivery or collection, we will confirm your ID, complete the machine handover and take payment. The machine is released after the agreement is signed and all checks and payment are complete.
What can it do?
One compact excavator. Built for plenty of jobs.
Not sure whether a 1.7-tonne excavator is right for your project? Tell us what you are working on and we will help assess the fit.
Trenching & drainage
Services, stormwater, irrigation and narrow trenches.
Landscaping
Garden removal, shaping, levelling and material handling.
Retaining walls
Footings, post holes and earth removal for wall projects.
Fence & deck posts
Consistent holes using the included auger and suitable bits.
Delivery & pickup
Get the machine to the job without the guesswork.
Delivery and collection are available for $150 within approximately 20 km. Tell us the job location when you call or SMS and we will work out practical delivery, pickup and return times with you when confirming the hire.
More useful hire time. No standard 4pm depot deadline.
We agree delivery, return and collection times directly with you. Where practical, we can also arrange collection after normal business hours, so you are not forced to stop work early simply to meet a depot closing time. The agreed hire period still applies, so contact us before the agreed return or collection time if your plans change.
Customer collection is by appointment and may be available with a suitable tow vehicle, the required towing capacity, a working electric brake controller and a current full open driver licence. Collection details and towing requirements depend on the confirmed machine and your selected hire location. The plant trailer is included where agreed for collection. When we deliver, Digger2Hire normally retains the trailer unless otherwise agreed beforehand.
Your physical driver licence must be shown at handover. Payment is taken at delivery or collection after the required ID and handover checks.
Common questions
Before you hire.
Clear answers help you choose the right machine, plan access and avoid delays on the day.
What is included in the $250 daily rate?
The prepared and pre-hire-checked Kubota U17-3 includes a 300mm bucket with teeth, 450mm bucket with teeth, 1000mm mud bucket with bolt-on edge, ripper, Auger Torque X2000 drive unit with 300mm and 450mm augers, hydraulic rock grabber, plant trailer for approved customer collection, documented handover and phone or SMS support during the hire.
Do you deliver the excavator?
Yes. Delivery and collection are available for $150 within approximately 20 km, subject to scheduling and site access. Other distances can be quoted. We retain the plant trailer when we deliver the machine.
Can I pick the machine up myself?
Approved customer collection may be available by appointment. Choose your hire location and we will confirm the collection point, machine-specific towing requirements and whether the transport arrangement is suitable.
Do I need a licence to operate or tow it?
No machine operator licence is required for this dry hire. To tow the machine and supplied trailer, you need a current full open driver licence, a suitable tow vehicle and an electric brake controller. Your physical driver licence must be shown at handover.
I’ve never used an excavator before. Can I still hire it?
Yes. Many customers are first-time operators. At handover, we’ll walk you through the controls, safety features and basic checks, then give you time to become comfortable with the machine before you begin. Tell us about your job and site access when you call or SMS and we’ll help confirm whether the Kubota U17-3 and included attachments are a suitable fit. You’ll still need to operate the machine safely and follow the supplied instructions.
What information do you need from me?
Just tell us your preferred dates, the job suburb, what you need to do, the approximate access width and whether you prefer delivery or collection. If we need a photo or another measurement, we’ll let you know.
Will it fit through residential access?
The U17-3 has an expandable undercarriage designed for compact access. Measure gates, side paths and tight turns carefully; we can help assess the dimensions before confirming your hire.
What happens at handover?
We’ll confirm your ID, record the machine’s condition and walk you through the controls, safety features and basic checks. Payment is taken at handover and the machine is released once everything has been completed.
When do I pay?
Payment is taken at physical handover, whether we deliver the machine or you collect it. The machine is released after the required ID and handover checks are complete and payment has been received.
What if I have a question during the hire?
Call or SMS us and we’ll help you work through it. If a warning light appears or the machine does not seem right, stop using it and contact us before continuing.
Useful hire advice
Plan the job before the excavator arrives.
Our guides will answer the real questions people ask about access, digging depth, towing, attachments and choosing the right excavator.
Can You Use a Mini Excavator for a Retaining Wall?
A mini excavator can handle many of the excavation tasks involved in a residential retaining wall. Learn how…
Can a Mini Excavator Remove Tree Stumps?
A mini excavator can remove many small and medium tree stumps, but stump size is only part of…
Can a Mini Excavator Dig Clay and Hard Ground?
A mini excavator can dig many types of clay and compacted ground, but conditions make a big difference.…
Ready when you are
Call or SMS Digger2Hire.
Speak directly with your local Digger2Hire operator. After-hours calls are welcome. Tell us about the job, location and dates and we will confirm the right machine, attachments, delivery or collection and your total price.