Excavators come in more size classes than most contractors realize. Picking the right one keeps your project on schedule, protects your job site surfaces, and keeps rental costs in check. Oversizing costs money. Undersizing costs time.
Micro Excavators (Under 2 Tons)
The Kubota U17 and similar micro machines weigh under 4,000 lbs and fit through a standard 36-inch gate. They're the only option for backyard jobs, tight residential access, and work near buildings where a larger machine would cause ground damage.
Max digging depth: approximately 7 to 8 feet. Good for shallow utility lines, irrigation, and small landscaping work. Not suited for anything requiring serious digging force.
Compact Excavators (3 to 8 Tons)
This is the most common rental size class. Machines like the Kubota KX033, John Deere 35G, Bobcat E35, and CAT 308 cover the vast majority of residential and light commercial work in Los Angeles.
- 3 to 5-ton class: utility trenching, footings, landscaping, drainage
- 6 to 8-ton class: foundation work, demo, commercial trenching
Max digging depth: 10 to 14 feet depending on model. Most jobs in LA fall into this range.
Mid-Size and Full-Size (15 to 21+ Tons)
The CAT 315, Hitachi ZX210, and similar machines are for serious earthwork — deep basements, storm drains, large-scale commercial grading, and infrastructure projects. These machines move serious volume and require a solid ground condition and adequate site access.
If you're asking whether you need one of these, you probably don't. If your project involves more than 5 feet of dig depth over a large area, or moving hundreds of yards of material, these become cost-effective.
Attachments
Any excavator can be fitted with a hydraulic breaker for concrete demolition, an auger for drilling post holes and piers, or a thumb attachment for grabbing and sorting debris. Ask when you book.
Rent the Right Excavator From HD Equipment Rental
We carry micro excavators through 21-ton full-size machines at our Hawthorne and Sun Valley locations. Call (424) 269-0703 for availability and same-day delivery across Los Angeles.
