FAQ’s

Plant hire is a company specialising in the renting out of plant to other companies or DIY users. It’s a cost-effective approach for the company or DIY to use, to get the most out of the equipment without the overheads of a new machine or from high maintenance costs. These companies are often found by searching for plant hire near me, plant hire companies, plant hire companies near me, plant and machinery hire.

You will need a valid driving licence if you’re anticipating driving an excavator of any size on public roads. On private worksites, access roads or private land, no digger licence or dumper ticket is required. According to the 2011 Work Health & Safety Act, certification is no longer needed for excavator operators. If needed by the roadside, and other types of job sites, a ticket will need to be held by the operator by law. 

People as many questions online or search for things like, cheap mini digger hire near me, cheapest mini digger hire near me, mini digger hire near me cost, mini digger hire cost uk, how much is it to hire a mini digger for a day, mini digger hire rates, cost to hire mini digger, mini digger hire cost per week and the list probably goes on! Mini digger hire costs vary depending on the make and model of the machine, the job at hand and the length of hire term required, so there’s no short answer, but to give you a rough guide a 1 tonne micro-digger to a 2.7 Tonne Kubota could be in the region of £200 - £300 weekly rates. But why not give us a call to today to find out your special rate. 

This question often goes through peoples’ minds, the short answer is, there are many different words you can search, for example, mini digger hire near me, hire mini digger near me, digger hire near me, micro digger hire near me, micro excavator hire near me, rent digger near me, local plant hire companies, self drive excavator hire, construction hire companies, plant hire near me, plant hire companies, plant hire companies near me, plant and machinery hire. Try to hire locally or within 50 miles  from the hire shop as this will minimise the delivery fees that hire companies charge to deliver the plant. You can also try searching in google for local plant hire companies, local plant hire, plant hire Perth, plant hire in Perth, plant hire near me, plant hire Perth Scotland, plant hire Scotland and you should be able to find someone. Of course, Prime Plant Hire is your obvious choice! 

Depending on the model of the mini digger you choose to hire, the U10-5 micro diggers can dig to a depth of 1.8 metres, the KX018-4 can dig to 2.38 metres and the KX027-4 can dig up to a depth of 2.74 metres. 

Prime Plant Hire has two types of dumpers available for hire, the tracked version the Kubota KC70 VHD-4 commonly known as the track barrow, tracked barrow or tracked dumper for hire. The wheeled version Thwaites MACH2001 1 Tonne Hi-Tip Dumper often found when searching for 1 ton dumper hire near me or 1t dumper hire. These dumpers are the perfect choice for landscapers, builders and construction companies doing house extensions and other projects. Call us today for more information on dumper truck hire, tracked dumper hire, dumper hire near me or  mini dumper hire,

Of course we can put together a package for you when combining a digger and dumper hire. You can also look for mini digger and dumper hire, digger and dumper hire near me, digger dumper hire.

Prime Plant Hire does a range of wood chippers for hire to suit your needs. Some people are looking for wood chipper hire nearby for example, wood chipper hire near me, wood chipper, woodchipper, garden shredder hire, tracked chipper hire.

Yes, we offer self-drive plant hire, where you can hire the plant from Prime and operate it yourself.

Yes, we offer operated plant hire and also plant hire with driver/hire plant with driver/operated plant hire.

We offer nationwide plant hire services anywhere you are throughout the UK, from John O'Groats down to Lands End. Call us on 01738 317675

• Midi diggers = ~5 to 10 tonnes

  • Commonly used for utility trenching, footings, driveways, landscaping with moderate digging power.

  • Examples: Kubota KX057 (5.5T), Takeuchi TB290 (8.5T), Cat 308 (8T).

• Large diggers = 10+ tonnes

  • Used for site clearance, deep foundations, demolition, quarrying, and heavy lifting.

  • Examples: Hitachi ZX130 (13T), Cat 320 (20T), JCB JS220 (22T).

• For house foundations / extensions:

  • 5T–8T is usually enough (good depth + manoeuvrability).

• For larger residential or commercial foundations:

  • 13T–20T provides more digging depth, reach, and faster spoil removal.

• Consider:

  • Site access (tight urban lots may force you to use a midi digger).

  • Trench depth and soil type (clay, rock = more force needed).

• For medium landscaping / small site clearance:

  • 5T–8T = great compromise of power and transportability.

• For heavily overgrown or larger plots:

  • 13T+ can clear trees, stumps, debris faster and lift heavier material.

• Also consider dumpers and attachments (grabs, mulchers, rakes).

• 8T+ gives ~4–5m dig depth, ideal for drainage, utilities.

• 13T–20T = up to 6m+ depth and longer reach.

Use larger if:

• You’re working with deep manholes, culverts, large diameter pipes.

• Ground is poor or requires shoring.

Key decision points:

Factor:

5T

8T

13T

20T

Access needed:

Narrow gates, tight sites

Medium sites

Requires access roads

Needs big, open site

Digging depth:

~3.5m

~4.5m

~5.5m

6–7m+

Transport:

Towable (with trailer)

Lorry required

Low-loader needed

Specialist haulage

Ideal for:

Landscaping, small foundations

Trenching, drainage

Site clearance, earthmoving

Bulk earthworks, demolition

Attachment:

5–8T (Midi)

13T+ (Large)

Standard buckets:

✅

✅

Grading / ditching buckets:

✅

✅

Breakers:

✅

✅ (larger ones)

Augers:

✅

✅

Tiltrotators:

✅ (limited models)

✅

Grapples, grabs:

✅ (smaller)

✅ (larger logs/rocks)

Compactors:

⚠️ (limited)

✅

Shears / crushers:

❌

✅ (only large diggers)

Approx digging depths (depends on boom/arm setup):

• 5T: ~3.5 m

• 8T: ~4.5 m

• 13T: ~5.5–6 m

• 20T: ~6.5–7.5 m

• 30T+: 8m+

Also consider reach (horizontal) if trenching along long stretches.

• Light demolition (sheds, garages): 5T–8T

• Residential buildings (2–3 storey): 13T–20T

• Heavy commercial / industrial: 20T+ with high-reach boom or specialist demolition rig.

You’ll also want hydraulic breakers, shears, or pulverisers.

Quick Digger Selection Guide by Use Case:

Job Type

Recommended Digger

Garden / domestic landscaping

1.5T–3T

Driveway or extension trenching

3T–5T

House foundation digging

5T–8T

Commercial foundations

13T–20T

Large drainage runs

8T–13T

Site clearance

13T–20T+

Demolition

13T–30T+

Quarrying / bulk earthworks

20T–50T