Digging Holes

You may have a variety of reasons to dig deep holes—everything from building a house to putting in a simple fire pit may require this kind of digging. Remember to dig to your desired depth or to your first bench in one place. Then dig the rest of the hole to that depth or bench. You can also use the mini excavator to more easily move the displaced soil far from where you’re working; this way it won’t hamper your progress or cause your hole to cave in.

Removing Landscaping Features and Stumps

If you’ve ever cleared landscaping or removed a tree stump you know that it’s almost always a bigger job than it seems to be at first. Use a mini excavator to remove stumps, landscaping gravel or rocks, and even scrubby brush. And remember to use a stump killer on large enough targets before you try to remove them.

Tearing Down Small Structures

If you have an old shed, garage, barn, or other structure that must be torn down, a mini excavator is a great time- and labor-saving tool. Without a mini excavator you are going to find yourself demolishing an entire building with cable or chains, a reciprocal saw, a sledge, a wrecking bar or pry bar, and a truck.

Repairing Sewer Lines

If your maximum depth is not too extreme you can use a mini excavator for basic sewer line repairs. Do ensure you check the depths involved in advance so you know that you don’t need a full-size backhoe instead, and as always with this kind of project, map out utility lines and other obstacles in advance.

Installing Water Features

DIY water feature projects are safer and easier with a mini excavator. You can use this equipment to dig a pond or trenches for buried electrical lines running to fountains, waterfalls, and other water features. After you use the excavator to dig and level the area and create trenches to a depth of about 20 inches, you can proceed to install your rubber liner, landscaping fabric, and the feature itself.

Putting in Pools and Hot Tubs

If you’re trying to install a pool or hot tub in your yard you’ll need some heavy equipment. A mini excavator is often the best choice for this kind of project because unless you have at least 6 or 7 feet of space all around your target area (not to mention a passage this big from the front yard to the back yard) you can’t use a full-size piece of equipment.

Creating Irrigation Systems

Most irrigation systems will require a number of trenches and other digging that is just right for a mini excavator. You can also use the mini excavator to work on other large-scale watering systems.

Plowing Snow

Use a blade attachment to plow snow and ice with a mini excavator. Remember to watch your traction; especially in icy conditions over rough ground your mini excavator can lose its tracks.

Installing a Patio

If a new patio, deck, or garden path is in your future, so is a mini excavator if you’d like to save time and effort. You can use the mini excavator to dig and level almost any size area, and you can also use it to haul your patio materials and distribute them.

There are many great uses for mini excavators, especially for DIYers working in urban and suburban settings with less wiggle room overall. Save time and effort with a mini excavator, and save money by renting one.