Diesel micro excavator (0.8T) hire

0.8T micro digger hire

Also called a mini digger. Diesel, about 980kg, rubber tracks. Tracks retract to around 700mm for a side return or tight gate. Digs to 1.72m. We deliver it as plant and collect it. It will not fit in a van and it is not a 1.5T.

Typical jobs: back-garden ponds, patio and path bases, cable and pipe trenches, shallow footings, clearing for a small extension, planting beds and general site prep — if the machine can actually get to the work.

Will it fit?

Measure the narrowest gap the machine has to pass latch to post, not the gate leaf. Most 0.8T machines we send retract to about 700mm and open out to about 860mm for stability when digging. If your gap is under 700mm, this machine will not fit. Do not guess.

Height is about 2.23m with the guard up. Some machines fold the ROPS to get under a lintel or into a tight indoor opening. Say so at booking if you need that. Rubber tracks are kinder on lawns and block paving than steel. They still mark wet ground and they still crack a weak slab if you turn on it.

What it is for

• Gardens and landscaping: ponds, patio bases, planting beds, levelling a small area you cannot get a 1.5T into.
• Small building work: shallow footings, drainage runs, cable and pipe trenches, clearing for an extension or conservatory where access is the limit.
• Tight access: side returns, alleyways, back gardens behind a single gate. This is the reason to hire 0.8T rather than 1.5T.
• Not this machine: deep footings, open-ground muck-away, live carriageway work, or anything that needs a 3T. Do not pick 0.8T because the day rate looks lower.

0.8T, 1.5T or 3T?

• 0.8T: access is the constraint. This page.
• 1.5T: you have the width and need more depth and power for footings and drainage.
• 3T and up: open ground, bigger muck-away, not a garden machine.

Licence and who can drive it

Private land: no CPCS or NPORS card required, but you must be competent. A commercial or construction site will usually insist on a recognised card. We do not include training on this hire. If you have not sat in one before, do not learn on a neighbour’s boundary.

Delivery

This is plant. It weighs about 980kg. It does not come in a van and it is not small-trailer kit. Check you can accept a plant vehicle at the kerb. Fuel is diesel — check what the delivering depot fills it with and what they expect back.

Frequently asked questions

Will an 0.8T micro digger fit through my gate?

Tracks retract to about 700mm on most machines we send. Measure the narrowest point gate, side return, door frame, and allow for the blade and any pipework. If that gap is under 700mm, this machine will not fit.

How deep does an 0.8T dig?

About 1.72m to the bucket teeth on the typical machine. Enough for many garden ponds, cable trenches and shallow footings. If you need deeper, step up to 1.5T or 3T.

Do I need a licence to hire a micro digger?

On private land you do not need a CPCS or NPORS card, but you must be competent. On a commercial or construction site the principal contractor will usually require a recognised card. This hire does not include training.

Can I take it home on a trailer or in a van?

No. It weighs about 980kg. We deliver it as plant and collect it.

0.8T or 1.5T?

0.8T if the machine has to pass a tight gate or side return. 1.5T if you have the width and want more depth and breakout. Do not pick 0.8T because it looks cheaper if the job needs a 1.5T.

Do I need a trade account?

No. Pick the dates, pay online, we source from a local partner and collect when you are done.

Technical Specifications

These micro excavators feature efficient diesel engines and durable rubber-tracked undercarriages. Designed for stability in confined areas with zero or minimal tail swing.

Typical Specifications (based on common models like Kubota K008-3)

Construction Features

• Narrow tracked chassis for tight access
• Rubber tracks to reduce surface marking
• Quick-hitch bucket mounting
• Foldable elements for low-height entry
• Efficient hydraulics for smooth operation

Safety Standards

All units comply with current UK plant safety regulations, come with appropriate rollover protection options, and are fully inspected and certified before dispatch.

Product Features

Straightforward controls make them accessible for experienced operators, with sufficient breakout force for effective work in small areas.

Key Features

• Compact diesel design for confined UK sites
• Zero-tail swing capability
• Low fuel consumption
• Versatile attachment options
• Reliable performance from trusted suppliers

Applications

• Garden landscaping and pond digging
• Patio and driveway foundations
• Basement or indoor excavations
• Utility trenching in restricted spaces
• Small-scale site preparation across the UK