• Other Hirepool sites
    • Vehicle Rentals
    • Continental Event Hire
    • Excavation Shoring
    • Film & TV
    • Portaloo Hire
    • Credit Application
  • Vehicle Rentals
  • Continental Event Hire
  • Excavation Shoring
  • Film & TV
  • Portaloo Hire
  • Credit Application
  • Contact Us
  • 0800 15 15 15
  • Branches
Browse all categories
Log in
{{ currentBranch.BranchName }} Set a branch for rates
{{ errorMessage }}

There are no branches matching your search.

{{ branch.BranchName }} ({{ branch.DistanceFormatted }}) {{ branch.BranchName }} ({{ branch.DistanceFormatted }})
Today {{ branch.OpeningHours.FormattedOpeningHours }}
{{ branch.IntranetBranch.Address }}, {{ branch.IntranetBranch.Suburb }}, {{ branch.IntranetBranch.City }} {{ branch.IntranetBranch.PostCode }}
{{ branch.IntranetBranch.Phone }}Call branch
Choose this branch
All locations
Why do I have to select a branch?
Selecting a branch helps us give you the rates and availability for products. You can change it anytime you need to.
Changing your branch?
Changing a branch location may affect the availability and/or pricing of some of the items for the days you need them.
{{ currentBranch.BranchName }} ( {{ currentBranch.OpeningHours.FormattedOpeningHours }})
Change
{{ currentBranch.BranchName }}
{{ currentBranch.IntranetBranch.Phone }}Call branch
Today {{ currentBranch.OpeningHours.FormattedOpeningHours }}
{{ currentBranch.IntranetBranch.Address }}, {{ currentBranch.IntranetBranch.Suburb }}, {{ currentBranch.IntranetBranch.City }} {{ currentBranch.IntranetBranch.PostCode }}
{{ currentBranch.IntranetBranch.Phone }}Call branch
Hire rates are based on this branch
  • Hire Categories
  • Inspiration
  • DIY Hub
  • Trade Hub
  • About Us
    • News & Events
    • Careers
    • How Hiring Works
    • Community and Sponsorship
    • Sustainability
    • Health and Safety
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Online Exclusives
Help
{{ currentUser.UserPreferences.NameInitials }}
Log in

Login to view or create favourites and other benefits.

Register

Register to start speeding up your hire process and keep track of your hire history.

{{ currentUser.UserPreferences.NameInitials }}

{{greeting}} {{currentUser.UserName}}

Nice to see you again. We've made a few changes since you were last here.

Pick a colour

Training Resources/FAQ

Switch trade account

Trade Account Administration

My hires

Favourites ({{ userFavourites.length }})

Add your frequently hired items to easily view and hire them again.

Account settings

Keep your contact information with us up to date so you get the latest and best rates with us.

Email

Password

Account details

Sign out

{{ cart.TotalQuantity }}

Hire cart - {{ cart.TotalQuantity }} item{{ (cart.TotalQuantity != 1 ? 's' : '') }}

You added {{ cart.AddItemCount }} new item{{ (cart.AddItemCount != 1 ? 's' : '') }} to your cart
{{ errorMessage }}
Qty Price
{{ item.Tile.Name }}
{{ item.Quantity }}
  POA
{{ pricing.Rate | currency }}
Related Items Mandatory Items ({{ item.MandatoryKitItems.length }})
{{ kitItem.Tile.Name }}
{{ kitItem.Quantity }}
No charge
  POA
{{ pricing.Rate | currency }}
Related Items Mandatory Items ({{ kitItem.MandatoryKitItems.length }})
{{ kitItem.Tile.Name }}
{{ kitItem.Quantity }}
No charge
  POA
{{ pricing.Rate | currency }}
Recommended Items ({{ kitItem.OptionalKitItems.length }})
{{ kitItem.Tile.Name }}
{{ kitItem.Quantity }}
No charge
  POA
{{ pricing.Rate | currency }}
Recommended Items ({{ item.OptionalKitItems.length }})
{{ kitItem.Tile.Name }}
{{ kitItem.Quantity }}
No charge
  POA
{{ pricing.Rate | currency }}
Related Items Mandatory Items ({{ kitItem.MandatoryKitItems.length }})
{{ kitItem.Tile.Name }}
{{ kitItem.Quantity }}
No charge
  POA
{{ pricing.Rate | currency }}
Recommended Items ({{ kitItem.OptionalKitItems.length }})
{{ kitItem.Tile.Name }}
{{ kitItem.Quantity }}
No charge
  POA
{{ pricing.Rate | currency }}

Edit Checkout Close

Cart is empty. Add gear you want to your hire cart and review them here.

Browse gear
View full cart page
  • {{ item.Name }}
  • {{ bc.CurrentPage.Name }}
  • Access
  • Cherry Pickers - Towable
  • Knuckle Booms
  • Scissor Lifts
  • Telescopic Booms
  • More
  • Building & Renovation
  • Drills
  • Sanders
  • Saws
  • Staplers & Nailers
  • More
  • Compaction
  • Padfoot Rollers
  • Plate Compactors & Rammers
  • Smooth Double Drum Rollers
  • Smooth Drum Rollers
  • More
  • Concrete & Masonry
  • Concrete Breakers & Drills
  • Concrete Cutting
  • Concrete Grinders
  • Concrete Mixers & Wheelbarrows
  • More
  • Earthmoving
  • Excavators/Diggers
  • Loaders
  • Mini Excavators/Diggers
  • Mini Skid Steer Loaders
  • More
  • Generators & Power Distribution
  • Generator Accesssories & Cables
  • Portable Single Phase Generators
  • Silenced Three Phase Generators
  • More
  • Landscaping
  • Chainsaws & Pruning Saws
  • Lawn Mowers
  • Mulchers, Chippers & Log Splitters
  • Post Hole Borers
  • More
  • Trailers
  • Cage / High Side Trailers
  • Furniture Trailers
  • Standard / Low Side Trailers
  • Transport Trailers
  • More
All Categories
  • Portables & Portaloos
  • Instructions for Use Sheets
  • DIY Hub
  • Trade Hub
Menu
  • Hire Categories
    • Access
      • All Access Products (39)
      • Cherry Pickers - Towable (5)
      • Harnesses (1)
      • Knuckle Booms (10)
      • Mast Lifts (4)
      • Personnel Lifts (1)
      • Scissor Lifts (12)
      • Telescopic Booms (6)
    • Air Compressors & Accessories
      • All Air Compressors & Accessories Products (36)
      • Compressors (14)
      • Tools & Accessories (22)
    • Building & Renovation
      • All Building & Renovation Products (54)
      • Building & Renovation Accessories (15)
      • Drills (3)
      • Planer (2)
      • Sanders (4)
      • Sash & Floor Clamps (2)
      • Saws (22)
      • Staplers & Nailers (3)
      • Tarpaulins (3)
    • Compaction
      • All Compaction Products (28)
      • Padfoot Rollers (4)
      • Plate Compactors & Rammers (10)
      • Rollers - Other (7)
      • Smooth Double Drum Rollers (6)
      • Smooth Drum Rollers (1)
    • Concrete & Masonry
      • All Concrete & Masonry Products (80)
      • Accessories & Attachments (17)
      • Concrete Breakers & Drills (27)
      • Concrete Cutting (11)
      • Concrete Grinders (11)
      • Concrete Mixers & Wheelbarrows (6)
      • Concrete Surface Preparation (3)
      • Concrete Vibrators (5)
    • Consumables
      • All Consumables Products (215)
      • Abrasives - Belt Sanding (13)
      • Abrasives - Drum Floor Sanding (16)
      • Abrasives - Dry Wall Sanding (6)
      • Abrasives & Sanding (22)
      • Air Hose Accessories (2)
      • Carpet Cleaning & Cleaning Products (4)
      • Diamond Core Barrel Wear (33)
      • Diamond Cutting Wear (9)
      • Diamond Grinding Wear (13)
      • Fastening & Nails (30)
      • Fuel (4)
      • Masonry & Asphalt (1)
      • Metal Cutting (13)
      • Miscellaneous (12)
      • Polishing Pads (5)
      • Safety Ear Wear (5)
      • Safety Glasses (5)
      • Safety Gloves (17)
      • Tie Downs & Trailer Nets (5)
    • Cooling, Heating & Ventilation
      • All Cooling, Heating & Ventilation Products (25)
      • Air Conditioners (2)
      • Dehumidifiers (3)
      • Fans (10)
      • Heaters (10)
    • Earthmoving
      • All Earthmoving Products (76)
      • Dumpers (1)
      • Earthmoving Accessories (10)
      • Excavator Breakers & Attachments (18)
      • Excavators/Diggers (15)
      • Loader Attachments (8)
      • Loaders (8)
      • Mini Excavators/Diggers (4)
      • Mini Skid Steer Loaders (4)
      • Tractor Graders (1)
      • Trenchers & Attachments (3)
      • Water Cart Dust Suppression Tanks (4)
    • Fencing & Roading Solutions
      • All Fencing & Roading Solutions Products (15)
      • Delineators (3)
      • Plastic Pedestrian Barriers (1)
      • Road Plates (9)
      • Temporary Fencing (2)
    • Floors & Cleaning
      • All Floors & Cleaning Products (25)
      • Carpet Cleaners (1)
      • Carpet Stretchers (2)
      • Floor Polisher (2)
      • Floor Sanders (3)
      • Floor Strippers (2)
      • Handheld Sanders (2)
      • Vacuum Cleaners (3)
      • Water Blasters (10)
    • Generators & Power Distribution
      • All Generators & Power Distribution Products (58)
      • Generator Accesssories & Cables (19)
      • Portable Fuel Tanks (4)
      • Portable Single Phase Generators (9)
      • Silenced Three Phase Generators (26)
    • Landscaping
      • All Landscaping Products (73)
      • Chainsaws & Pruning Saws (7)
      • Hedge Trimmers (5)
      • Landscaping Equipment - Other (14)
      • Lawn Mowers (2)
      • Lawn Scarifiers/Dethatchers & Aerators (3)
      • Leaf Blowers (3)
      • Mini Excavators/Diggers (4)
      • Mini Skid Steer Loaders (5)
      • Mulchers, Chippers & Log Splitters (4)
      • Post Hole Borers (6)
      • Rotary Hoes (2)
      • Stump Grinders (1)
      • Water Blasters (13)
      • Weedeaters & Scrubcutters (4)
    • Lift & Shift
      • All Lift & Shift Products (26)
      • Forklifts (1)
      • Hoists & Winches (10)
      • Jacks & Portapower (6)
      • Telehandlers (4)
      • Trolleys & Load Skates (5)
    • Lighting
      • All Lighting Products (57)
      • Flood Lights (4)
      • Generators (34)
      • Light Towers - Towable (4)
      • Lighting Accessories (15)
    • Miscellaneous
      • All Miscellaneous Products (2)
      • Miscellaneous (2)
    • Online Exclusives
      • All Online Exclusives Products (32)
      • Building & Renovation (5)
      • Chainsaws (2)
      • Chippers (1)
      • Concrete Breakers (3)
      • Concrete Cutting (1)
      • Concrete Mixers (1)
      • Excavators/Diggers (3)
      • Generators (1)
      • Landscaping (4)
      • Log Splitters (1)
      • Mini Skid Steer Loaders (1)
      • Plate Compactors (1)
      • Post Hole Borers (1)
      • Pumps (2)
      • Trailers (3)
      • Water Blasters (2)
    • Painting & Decorating
      • All Painting & Decorating Products (28)
      • Paint Sprayers & Attachments (3)
      • Preparation (10)
      • Scaffolding & Ladders (12)
      • Tarpaulins (3)
    • Plumbing & Metal Work
      • All Plumbing & Metal Work Products (24)
      • Bolt Cutters (2)
      • Nibblers (1)
      • Pipe Benders & Cutters (4)
      • Plumbing Accessories (7)
      • Welders (10)
    • Portable Buildings
      • All Portable Buildings Products (5)
      • Lockable Containers (2)
      • Portable Ablution Block (1)
      • Site Lunchrooms (1)
      • Site Offices (1)
    • Portable Showers
      • All Portable Showers Products (5)
      • Portable Showers and Basins (5)
    • Portable Toilets
      • All Portable Toilets Products (14)
      • Luxury Toilets (3)
      • Portaloos & Urinals (11)
    • Propping & Structural Support
      • All Propping & Structural Support Products (6)
      • Acrow Props (6)
    • Pumps & Accessories
      • All Pumps & Accessories Products (36)
      • Adapters and Accessories (11)
      • Air Operated (2)
      • Centrifugal Trash (5)
      • Dewatering Pumps (5)
      • Diaphragm (4)
      • Flexidrive (3)
      • Submersible (6)
    • Safety
      • All Safety Products (11)
      • Electrical (6)
      • Harnesses (2)
      • Safety Gear (3)
    • Scaffolding & Ladders
      • All Scaffolding & Ladders Products (20)
      • Ladders (8)
      • Planks (3)
      • Scaffolding (9)
    • Tarpaulins
      • All Tarpaulins Products (3)
      • Tarpaulins (3)
    • Tools & Equipment
      • All Tools & Equipment Products (72)
      • Drills & Accessories (9)
      • Grinders (8)
      • Impact Wrench (7)
      • Measuring & Survey (10)
      • Nail Guns (3)
      • Powder Actuated Fastener (1)
      • Sanders & Strippers (6)
      • Saws (21)
      • Screw Drivers (1)
      • Sledge Hammers (2)
      • Tarpaulins (3)
      • Wrenches & Sockets (1)
    • Tractors & Attachments
      • All Tractors & Attachments Products (5)
      • Attachments (3)
      • Tractors (2)
    • Traffic
      • All Traffic Products (2)
      • Traffic Lighting (2)
    • Trailers
      • All Trailers Products (33)
      • Accessories for Trailers (8)
      • Cage / High Side Trailers (3)
      • Chiller Trailers (2)
      • Furniture Trailers (3)
      • Specialised Equipment Trailers (9)
      • Standard / Low Side Trailers (5)
      • Transport Trailers (3)
    • Vehicles
      • All Vehicles Products (2)
      • Trucks (2)
    • Water Blasters
      • All Water Blasters Products (14)
      • Hot Water Blasters (1)
      • Towable Water Blasters (5)
      • Water Blasters (8)
    • Welding
      • All Welding Products (10)
      • Welders (10)
  • Other Hirepool sites
    • Vehicle Rentals
    • Continental Event Hire
    • Excavation Shoring
    • Film & TV
    • Portaloo Hire
    • Credit Application
  • Inspiration
  • DIY Hub
  • Trade Hub
  • About
    • News & Events
    • Careers
    • How Hiring Works
    • Community and Sponsorship
    • Sustainability
    • Health and Safety
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Online Exclusives
  • Contact Us
  • 0800 15 15 15
  • Branches
  • Equipment Hire
  • Portables & Portaloos
  • All Products & Categories
  • Instructions for Use Sheets

Advanced Gear Guide: Excavators

Excavators are a great piece of equipment for speeding up jobs and cutting down on manual labour time.  

At Hirepool we have over 17 different sizes of excavators available for hire, from mini 1-tonne excavators all the way through to large 30-tonne commercial options. 

Whether you are tackling a job on a smaller residential project or getting into a large scale commercial job, we’ve got something to help you get the job done smarter.

In this guide, we are going to take a look at the different models available, the benefits of each, and how the latest technology in excavators can benefit you on site. 

In this guide you’ll find trusted advice on: 

What can excavators be used for

How to choose the right excavator for your job 

The types of excavators  available for hire 

Mini excavators

Battery-powered excavators

Tail swing options

Large excavators

How to operate an excavator

How to change excavator attachments




Source

What can excavators be used for

Excavation equipment helps you to move earth and material quickly making these heavy-duty beasts a fantastic addition to any job site that needs to stay on time and on budget. 

Large scale projects

Some large-scale jobs would not be possible without excavation equipment, and hiring one is a great way to get in, do the work, then bring in more gear to the site for the next stage. 

Large excavators can be used on a project site for clearing ground to make way for new structures or shift large quantities or volumes of material such as gravel, fast. With strict timelines, it’s critical that this kind of work be done efficiently. 

Small sites or residential jobs 

Smaller excavators do all the hard yards for you with digging, knocking down smaller structures or transporting building material from A to B. Our smallest excavator is the Takeuchi TB108 weighing in at 922kg. It’s great for retaining walls, laying a trench, breaking up concrete with an attachment, levelling the ground, excavating for a pool and much more.

Work that might take a few people to complete, can be done easily with one piece of equipment. Using an excavator can also save your team physical strain, meaning you can save your energy for the rest of the project. 

Whether you are building a new shed or starting a landscaping project, it’s well worth considering hiring an excavator to save you time.


How to choose the right excavator for your job

Choosing the right excavator is important not only to ensure you have the power and size to do what is needed but also to ensure you don’t make an error with other issues such as access and safety. 

Some of the things to consider when choosing an excavator are: 

Height reach

Look at how high or low the area is that you need to dump material to. You need to make sure the excavator can reach up or down that far. 

 

excavator-loadsource

Distance reach 

Check how far you need to reach in terms of distance. Different excavators have different reach lengths, and moving the whole excavator is not always a feasible option with site space. 

Material volume or quantity 

Look at how much material you need to move. You may need to use a larger bucket to get the job done faster, rather than doing multiple small loads. 

Material weight

It’s important to consider the weight of what you are moving as each excavator will have the maximum capacity it can carry. 

For example, a load of timber is far different in weight to a load of metal, so be sure to get an excavator with the right load weight. 

Depth of dig

If you are using an excavator for digging, check how far down you need to go. 

Depending on the type of excavator you use, the digging depth can range in capability from 1680mm to 8140mm. 

What types of excavators are available

Hirepool has both standard excavator gear that can be hired by anyone and specialist excavators which require a special license to operate. 

Generally speaking, anything above 7-tonne is classed as specialised gear. 

Hirepool has a range of excavator sizes, that range in capability with weight capacity, tail swing and reach options. We’ve also got options to suit different types of terrain and working environments. 

Mini excavators

Mini excavators as the name suggests, are the smallest type available.  

The benefits of hiring a mini excavator include: 

  • They are towable

    This makes them easy to get to site for a quick digger hire option. Hirepool refers to mini-diggers as small and they are generally transportable on trailers up to 1.9 ton.
  • They are compact

    The smaller size means they can squeeze into tighter areas, which also helps with site access.  
  • Great for smaller jobs

    At a very reasonable price point, a mini excavator can do the physical work quickly, helping to reduce labour costs.

    Whether you are pulling out a small tree stump or landscaping, mini excavators have the power for both. 
  • No special license needed and easy to use

    This makes a mini excavator an easy-to-hire option, especially for those that might be new to excavation work. 
  • Can be delivered to site by Hirepool

    For the ultimate convenience and time-saving option, just ask the team at Hirepool for a delivery option. 

You can also pick one up with a trailer if you have a tow bar. 

richard-mills-excavator-tail-swing

Tracked Excavators

A tracked excavator is designed for digging applications, however, when equipped with the appropriate attachment like a hammer or crusher, these excavators are great for demolition and large mining sites.

It is important you know the scope of your project before making a decision on which tracked excavator to use.

The benefits of hiring a tracked excavator are:

Better traction, stability and safety

If an excavation project of yours is based on uneven, sloped, or soft terrain, a tracked excavator with its low center of gravity and tracked undercarriage is the most suitable option.

Extending the tracks base on one of these excavators provides the driver with better stability and ensures you can safely navigate a worksite. Be aware that narrowing the track base leads to less stability with the machine.

Bigger digging depth

Track excavators compared to wheeled excavators of comparable size, can dig more deeply as they sit lower the ground.

Versatile on uneven surfaces

The tracks on these excavators cannot be punctured by stone, rocks, raw materials, that are found on worksites. Uneven ground can exacerbate these problems, but a tracked excavator can negate this problem.

Battery-powered excavators

Adding to the range of excavators at Hirepool, we now have a battery-powered excavator, which is a great piece of modern technology sure to impress. 

The benefits of hiring an electric excavator include: 

  • Zero emissions

    Not only can you reduce your exposure to petrol-powered equipment, but the environmental footprint is far superior with a battery-powered machine. This may be especially appealing to businesses or clients who want to make a change in that space. 
  • Noise reduction

    This is great for areas where you need quiet equipment such as residential areas or within metropolitan areas. 
  • Great for small areas

    With a width of 980 - 1330mm, this excavator is ideal for projects where you don’t have much room to move. 
  • Impressive run time

    The battery-powered excavator runs for an incredible 4 hours which provides plenty of work time with fewer fumes and noise. 
  • Modern safety features

    Enjoy a safer worksite with a rollover, tip over and fall over certified canopy,

    A protected boom work light, and a polycarbonate front screen for protection.

battery-poweredSource

Tail swing options

Excavators have a tail that swings in the opposite direction, with its purpose being to provide a counterweight. 

Zero tail swing excavators are ideal for smaller areas where you don’t have much room. 

Standard tail swing models are most common and allow for good reach. 

Limited tail swing models allow for a small amount of swing which still allows for good manoeuvring.  

Large excavators

The large excavators available at Hirepool will not only save a business significant cost in purchasing and storage but also the convenience of hiring for only the time needed on a project. 

Newer model excavators also include many modern features which can make long days on the job a lot more comfortable, safe and practical. 

Large excavators are ideal for trenching, moving large quantities of material and earthmoving for construction or large-scale landscaping. 

You will need a WTR (Wheels, Track & Roller) licence endorsements if driving or operating an excavator on a road, this applies to all WTR equipment. The tracks endorsement applies to all excavators in the Hirepool range & not just the larger ones.

This can get tricky as the definition of a road includes:

  • Street
  • A motorway
  • A beach
  • A place to which the public have access
  • All bridges, culverts, ferries and fords firming part of a road or street or motorway.

The benefits of hiring a large excavator include: 

  • Great size range

    The large excavators range from 10-tonne to 30-tonne meaning there are options for any kind of project. Medium diggers would range for 3 ton - 9-tonne.
  • Great for large commercial jobs

    Time is money on a large commercial job, so a big excavator will help you to get the job done efficiently. 
  • Can be used with a range of bucket sizes

    Some large excavators can be used with different bucket attachments, from standard, narrow or wide, all at no extra charge so you can get the job done smarter. 
  • Reduced fuel consumption

    Newer models now feature reduced fuel consumption, which means less cost for your project. 
  • Modern safety features

    This includes a rear camera, large side mirrors, anti-slip steps and platforms, guard rails on the upper structure and powerful lighting. 
  • Low noise & vibration levels, great visibility

    Long days on the job are much more comfortable with these fantastic features, increasing personal health and safety on the job.

    Enjoy a fully adjustable heated air suspension seat and air conditioning with climate control - talk about comfort on the job!
  • Super-long reach and two-piece boom

    A super long reach means you can stay parked in one spot and get the job done more efficiently. 

large-excavator

How to operate an excavator

  1. From the cab, the operator can use the pedals and the joysticks to move the excavator through a full range of movements that may involve multiple combinations from the levers/pedals.   

  2. The operator will use the boom, stick and bucket to load and scoop materials

  3. The operator will then be able to move and position the machine, with the joysticks, that best suit the conditions of the worksite.

    Due to the way the machine can rotate 360 degrees, it can make the loading and placement of the material easier. Some of the machines may have a blade fitted which can also be used to move or clear material.

  4. The operator can move the excavator on its tracks or wheels within the worksite or loaded on a transporter/trailer if it is small enough, to change locations.

large-excavator-bucket

How to change excavator attachments

Excavators can also be fitted with different attachments to suit the job at hand. These come in various sizes and include options such as buckets, rippers, hydraulic breakers and augers.

Generally, all Hirepool excavators come with 2-3 buckets and have manual or hydraulic quick hitches to easily change them. 

The standard attachments on most of Hirepool's excavators are a narrow/trenching bucket or a spade, a standard bucket and a wide (cleaning) bucket. On most of Hirepool’s machines, the wide cleaning bucket is a hydraulic tilt bucket.  Some machines will have a tilt quick hitch which means any bucket that is fitted has tilt capability

New models include a quick hitch option to make attachment changing faster. There are several different types of quick hitches on these machines, so it is best to familiarise yourself with the one you’re using before changing any attachments. All Hirepool models have a quick hitch.

Here is a general guide on changing attachments: 

  1. Place the bucket on a level surface (it should be on the ground to ensure safety so it doesn’t fall on anyone).

  2.  Remove any manual locking pins.

  3. Go back into the cab and press the quick hitch switch which will cause a release.Some machines have a switch that can be used to move a locking pin or ram, allowing the hitch to remove the unit.

  4. Turn the bucket inwards and lift it up to ensure it has fully disengaged.

    It is recommended that the bucket is in a position that will not require further movement when free of the hitch.

  5. Curl out and lower the bucket carefully so it drops out of the hitch.

On the newer models of excavators, some attachments have hydraulic hoses that you have to take off before changing.  Some also have a ratchet inside the machine cab to take off the attachment from the hitch

 The older models have a two-pin system which may require that the bottom pin be removed.

  1.  Line up the hitch with the top pin of the attachment and roll/curl inwards to connect.

  2.  Turn the switch in the can into the lock position or refit the pin or ram into position.

  3.  Put the safety cover back over the quick switch if relevant

  4. Place the bucket back down to the ground to a square position, put the lock pin or red tag back in here. Connect any hydraulic hoses that are needed to operate the next unit.

Following the instruction for your excavator model

Depending on the type of excavator you have, the instructions for changing the attachments can vary slightly, and some larger excavators require experienced hands to get the job done. 

The best port of call is to ask your rep at Hirepool what they recommend, so you can ensure your whole team is kept safe on-site. 

Models such as our 30-tonne excavator also have operator manuals explaining the instructions if you ever need a refresh. 

Hire your excavation equipment from Hirepool and get the job done faster

Check out the Trade hub page for more ways to work smarter. Visit us in a branch or online for all your excavation needs. 

 

Other guides

Tradie Guide

Top Tips for Excavator Safety on the Job Site

Although using equipment like excavators can help you get jobs done faster, there are certain risks associated with using anything that large on-site.  Excavation can be a dangerous job and operators should be well versed in the appropriate health and safety requirements and regulations before working. 

Read the guide
Tradie Guide

What Excavator Do You Need for Your Job?

Excavators or diggers are a common piece of equipment that’s used in construction on a day-to-day basis. They’re built for heavy duty digging and hauling - whether it’s gravel or debris you’re trying to move, an excavator will  be able to move it quickly and without too much effort. An excavator isn’t just used on construction sites though, and can be helpful in achieving your more ambitious DIY projects on your property too. 

Read the guide
  • Contact Us
  • 0800 15 15 15
  • Branches
  • Hire

  • Browse All Products
  • Instructions For Use Sheets
  • Guides & Inspiration

  • DIY Hub
  • Trade Hub
  • Resources
  • Hiring Process Steps
  • About

  • About Hirepool
  • Executive Team
  • Careers
  • Community and Sponsorship
  • News & Events
  • FAQ
  • Credit Application
  • Account

  • Login
  • Sign up
  • Manage Account
  • Manage Account
  • Help

Newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter to receive DIY guides, special deals & Hirepool news straight to your mail box.

Thanks for signing up!
{{errorMessage}}
{{ selectedText }}
  • DIY
  • Trade
  • A bit of both
  • Other
  • Vehicle Rentals
  • Continental Event Hire
  • Excavation Shoring
  • Film & TV
  • Portaloo Hire
  • Credit Application
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclaimer & Privacy Statement

Hire Categories

  • Access
  • Air Compressors & Accessories
  • Building & Renovation
  • Compaction
  • Concrete & Masonry
  • Consumables
  • Cooling, Heating & Ventilation
  • Earthmoving
    Auckland Excavators
    Wellington Excavators
    Christchurch Excavators
  • Fencing & Roading Solutions
  • Floors & Cleaning
  • Generators & Power Distribution
  • Landscaping
  • Lift & Shift
  • Lighting
  • Miscellaneous
  • Painting & Decorating
  • Plumbing & Metal Work
  • Portable Buildings
  • Portable Showers
  • Portable Toilets
  • Propping & Structural Support
  • Pumps & Accessories
  • Safety
  • Scaffolding & Ladders
  • Tarpaulins
  • Tools & Equipment
  • Tractors & Attachments
  • Traffic
  • Trailers
    Auckland Trailers
    Wellington Trailers
    Christchurch Trailers
  • Water Blasters
  • Welding
  • Trench Shoring
  • Online Exclusives
  • Vehicles
All Categories
Cookies are required for the Hirepool website to function. Please enable cookies in your browser and refresh the page.