Local tip: Adelaide’s reactive clays and limestone pockets mean precise trenching and low ground disturbance often matter near services.

Always lodge a Before You Dig Australia enquiry, schedule spoil disposal correctly, and check council access/track-mat requirements for verges.

What Machine to Hire: 

• Why choose it: Ultra-narrow access champion for side-paths and backyard gates. Designed specifically for space-restricted residential work; class-leading bucket force for its size.

• Typical Adelaide jobs: Bathroom/kitchen plumbing trenching, sprinkler lines, fibre conduit, post holes (with auger), lifting pavers and shallow footings where vibration control is key.

• Notable specs: ~7.7 kW engine, 10.5 kN bucket force; suited to 1.5 m class dig depths.

1.7-tonne minis: Kobelco SK17SR (1.7T) and Kato HD17V5 (1.7T)

• Why choose them: Step up in digging depth/stability while still fitting tight driveways. Ideal for small retaining walls, stormwater replacements, and trench runs to the street in older suburbs.

• Kobelco SK17SR highlights: Compact tail-swing, ~10.1 kW engine

• Kato HD17V5 highlights: Practical rental features like auto-parking brake and neutral engine start that help on busy sites.

3.3–3.5-tonne class: Hitachi ~3.3T (e.g., ZX33U-5) and Kobelco ~3.5T (e.g., SK35SR)

• Why choose them: Noticeably more reach, lifting and stability; still transportable on a tandem trailer/float and nimble in suburban blocks.

• Best for: Deep residential services, footing beams, small demolition with hammer, trench shields on longer runs.

• Hitachi ZX33U-5 notes: Zero-tail compactness with ~2.79m dig depth range depending on arm/boom; popular in utilities and rental.

• Kobelco SK35SR notes: Well-balanced 3.5T mini with ~0.11 m³ bucket capacity and ~17.8 kW engine in the -6 series; solid reach and low swing radius for fences/structures.

5-tonne: Kobelco SK55SRX-7 (5T)

• Why choose it: Upper end of “mini” with serious production. Excellent for medium retaining walls, driveway cut-and-fill, pool digs, and deeper service trenches where stability matters.

• Notable specs: ~5.1t operating weight, ~29.1 kW engine; compact radius design keeps swing clear near boundaries.

14-tonne: Kobelco SK135SR (14T)

• Why choose it: Bridge between “mini” and “bulk” with short-radius swing—brilliant near traffic lanes, creek lines, and constrained commercial sites across metro Adelaide.

• Best for: Deep services, commercial foundations, road and subdivision works where productivity and a shorter tail swing reduce traffic management headaches.

• Notable specs: ~14.5t operating weight, ~78.6 kW engine, ~0.38–0.50 m³ bucket capacity. 

30-tonne: Kobelco SK300 (30T)

• Why choose it: High-output bulk earthmover for large subdivision cuts, quarry/borrow pit loading, major stormwater and deep sewer, or commercial basement digs around Adelaide’s growth corridors.

• Notable notes/specs: The SK300LC-10 generation features robust telematics/monitoring and heavy-duty hydraulics for high cycle productivity.

Attachment ideas that multiply productivity

• Augers (Not Available For 0.8T Machines, perfect for post holes, footing piers), trenchers (services), rippers &  rock breakers (paths/rocks), tilt buckets (batters), grabs (green waste/demo), compaction wheel (backfill). Match flow/weight to the machine size for safe, efficient operation.

How to choose the right size for your Adelaide job (5 quick checks)

Are You Ready to Book?

Statewide Hire can match you to the right excavator, attachments and transport to your site, whether it’s a 0.8T excavator for a Torrensville backyard or a 30-tonner for bulk earthworks north of Gawler.

Mention your access width, dig depth, and ground type when you call our team to lock in the best fit for your needs.