How to Choose the Right Mini Digger for Your Job #1

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dcmhiree · 2025-11-21T07:39:32Z

dcmhiree commented

2025-11-21 07:39:32 +00:00

You want to rent a mini digger, but when you go to the hire page, you see three options: 1 tonne, 1.7 tonnes, and 3 tonnes. What sets them apart? It can cost a lot to get the wrong machine. You could pay for power you don't need, or you could rent a machine that isn't strong enough or big enough to do the job.

Don't be afraid. This simple guide will help you understand the specs and choose the best mini digger for your Dublin project.

Step 1: Find out how big your project is

First, what do you need to do most? The most important thing that determines how big the digger needs to be is the size of the job.

• Small-Scale (Gardening, Fencing, Small Patios): A 0.8-ton or 1-ton micro digger is great for small jobs like digging holes for fence posts, taking out small bushes, or digging a small patio base. They are easy to carry and use, and their main benefit is that they let you in, which we'll talk about next.

• Medium-Scale (Driveways, Foundations, Garden Clearance): This is the best size for most jobs. To dig the foundations for a small extension or garden wall, clear a driveway, or get rid of tree stumps, you need more power. A mini digger that weighs between 1.5 and 1.7 tonnes is the best choice because it has the right amount of power, can dig deep, and is small enough to fit in tight spaces.

• Large-Scale (Serious Groundworks, Site Clearance): If you need to clear a lot of land, build a new building, or add on to an existing one, you'll need more power and reach. A 3-ton mini digger can dig deeper (often more than 2.5 meters) and move more dirt with each bucket, which speeds up big jobs a lot.

Step 2: Check Your Access (This is the Step for Dublin)

This is the most important thing to do for any project in Dublin. If you can't fit a 3-ton digger on your site, you don't need one.

Before you do anything else, get a tape measure and find the smallest opening that will let you into your work area. It might be a door, a side door, or even a lane.

• Micro Diggers (1-ton): These guys are really good at getting into tight spots. A lot of them have tracks that can be pulled back and can get as narrow as 700mm to 900mm. This lets them fit through a normal garden gate.

• Mini Diggers (1.7 tonnes): These are bigger and usually need 990mm to 1300mm of space.

Always choose the biggest digger that can easily fit through your smallest opening.

Step 3: Consider how deep and far you can dig.

How deep do you need to go? Go over your plans for the project. The base for an extension will need to be much deeper than the base for a patio. For instance, the base for an extension should be at least 1 meter deep, and the base for a patio should be 150 to 200 mm deep.

• A digger that weighs 1 ton can dig down to about 1.7 meters.

• A digger that weighs 1.7 tons will be closer to 2.5 meters.

Also, think about how far you can go. Do you need to get through a wall or to the middle of a big flowerbed? A bigger machine will have a longer boom, which means you can reach more things.

Step 4: Do you need any extra parts?

The regular machine is for digging. But what if you have other things to do?

• Breaking Concrete: If you want to get rid of an old concrete path or driveway, you'll need a hydraulic breaker attachment.

• Drilling Posts: When you're putting up a fence, a post-hole auger attachment can save you a lot of time.

Make sure to tell them about these when you book your hire because they are special pieces of equipment.

A Table for Fast Checks

Project Task: Suggested Size and Common Access Requirements

0.8 to 1 tonne, 700 mm or more for digging fence posts

To get rid of a tree stump, you need 1.5 to 1.7 tonnes and 990 mm or more.

Digging holes for foundations that are at least 990 mm long and weigh between 1.7 and 3 tonnes

Depending on the size, leveling the garden takes between 1.0 and 1.7 tons.

Not sure yet?

Choosing the right machine will help you save time, money, and stress. If you're still not sure, the people at DCM Hire are experts and can help.

You can call us today or look through our fleet of mini diggers hire in Dublin to get all the information you need. We'd be happy to help.

You want to rent a mini digger, but when you go to the hire page, you see three options: 1 tonne, 1.7 tonnes, and 3 tonnes. What sets them apart? It can cost a lot to get the wrong machine. You could pay for power you don't need, or you could rent a machine that isn't strong enough or big enough to do the job. Don't be afraid. This simple guide will help you understand the specs and choose the best mini digger for your Dublin project. Step 1: Find out how big your project is First, what do you need to do most? The most important thing that determines how big the digger needs to be is the size of the job. • Small-Scale (Gardening, Fencing, Small Patios): A 0.8-ton or 1-ton micro digger is great for small jobs like digging holes for fence posts, taking out small bushes, or digging a small patio base. They are easy to carry and use, and their main benefit is that they let you in, which we'll talk about next. • Medium-Scale (Driveways, Foundations, Garden Clearance): This is the best size for most jobs. To dig the foundations for a small extension or garden wall, clear a driveway, or get rid of tree stumps, you need more power. A mini digger that weighs between 1.5 and 1.7 tonnes is the best choice because it has the right amount of power, can dig deep, and is small enough to fit in tight spaces. • Large-Scale (Serious Groundworks, Site Clearance): If you need to clear a lot of land, build a new building, or add on to an existing one, you'll need more power and reach. A 3-ton mini digger can dig deeper (often more than 2.5 meters) and move more dirt with each bucket, which speeds up big jobs a lot. Step 2: Check Your Access (This is the Step for Dublin) This is the most important thing to do for any project in Dublin. If you can't fit a 3-ton digger on your site, you don't need one. Before you do anything else, get a tape measure and find the smallest opening that will let you into your work area. It might be a door, a side door, or even a lane. • Micro Diggers (1-ton): These guys are really good at getting into tight spots. A lot of them have tracks that can be pulled back and can get as narrow as 700mm to 900mm. This lets them fit through a normal garden gate. • Mini Diggers (1.7 tonnes): These are bigger and usually need 990mm to 1300mm of space. Always choose the biggest digger that can easily fit through your smallest opening. Step 3: Consider how deep and far you can dig. How deep do you need to go? Go over your plans for the project. The base for an extension will need to be much deeper than the base for a patio. For instance, the base for an extension should be at least 1 meter deep, and the base for a patio should be 150 to 200 mm deep. • A digger that weighs 1 ton can dig down to about 1.7 meters. • A digger that weighs 1.7 tons will be closer to 2.5 meters. Also, think about how far you can go. Do you need to get through a wall or to the middle of a big flowerbed? A bigger machine will have a longer boom, which means you can reach more things. Step 4: Do you need any extra parts? The regular machine is for digging. But what if you have other things to do? • Breaking Concrete: If you want to get rid of an old concrete path or driveway, you'll need a hydraulic breaker attachment. • Drilling Posts: When you're putting up a fence, a post-hole auger attachment can save you a lot of time. Make sure to tell them about these when you book your hire because they are special pieces of equipment. A Table for Fast Checks Project Task: Suggested Size and Common Access Requirements 0.8 to 1 tonne, 700 mm or more for digging fence posts To get rid of a tree stump, you need 1.5 to 1.7 tonnes and 990 mm or more. Digging holes for foundations that are at least 990 mm long and weigh between 1.7 and 3 tonnes Depending on the size, leveling the garden takes between 1.0 and 1.7 tons. Not sure yet? Choosing the right machine will help you save time, money, and stress. If you're still not sure, the people at DCM Hire are experts and can help. You can call us today or look through our fleet of **[mini diggers hire in Dublin](https://dcmhire.ie/mini-digger-hire-dubin/)** to get all the information you need. We'd be happy to help.

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Reference: dcmhiree/dcmhire#1