Selecting the correct machine size is the most critical decision for any earthmoving project. Choosing an excavator that is too small extends your timeline and strains the machine’s hydraulic limits, while hiring a machine that is too large can lead to costly site access issues, unnecessary fuel burn, and potential boundary damage.
At Miniquip Hire, we specialise strictly in dry hire solutions, giving your operators complete control over your project timeline and budget. With a modern fleet of over 200 assets and an average machine age of just 2.5 years, our machinery delivers optimal hydraulic reliability across Perth and regional Western Australia. This guide breaks down our entire excavator lineup by size class, application, and physical footprint to help you choose the exact model for your site requirements.
The Micro & Mini Excavator Range (1.2T to 1.6T)
Primary Applications: Tight-access residential landscaping, indoor renovations, under-house clear-outs, and narrow utility trenching.
These highly agile units are engineered specifically for sites where space is at an absolute premium. Featuring retractable track frames, they can narrow their footprint to walk through standard pedestrian gates and doorways before expanding for operational stability.
- Kubota U10-5 (1.2T): Retracts down to just 750mm wide, making it the ultimate tool for tight suburban side passages and internal residential strip-outs.
- Link: View Kubota U10-5 1.2T Excavator
- Takeuchi TB216 (1.6T): Combines a narrow 980mm retracted transport width with a top-mounted boom cylinder to protect the hydraulic rod during deep plumbing or electrical trenching.
- Link: View Takeuchi TB216 1.6T Excavator
The Mid-Sized & Utility Range (2.7T to 4T)
Primary Applications: Commercial plumbing, retaining wall footings, medium-scale landscaping, pool excavations, and civil utility installations.
Stepping up to this class delivers a substantial increase in bucket breakout force and vertical digging depth while maintaining a highly manageable transport weight and compact footprint.
- Kubota U27-4 (2.7T): A true zero tail swing powerhouse featuring a 1,500mm width that allows operators to work safely right against structural walls or boundary fences.
- Link: View Kubota U27-4 2.7T Excavator
- Kubota U35-4 (3.5T): Incorporates an auto-shift travel system and proportional auxiliary controls, making it the ideal mid-sized option for deep residential pool digs and structural drainage lines.
- Link: View Kubota U35-4 3.5T Excavator
- Takeuchi TB335R (3.7T): A premium short tail swing machine featuring a deluxe digital touchscreen console with customizable auxiliary presets for precise attachment handling.
- Link: View Takeuchi TB335R 3.7T Excavator
- Kubota KX040-4 (4T): Utilizes a conventional tail swing design that maximizes lateral lifting capacity over the side, ideal for handling heavy limestone blocks or large infrastructure conduits.
- Link: View Kubota KX040-4 4T Excavator
The Midi Civil Range (5.5T to 10T)
Primary Applications: Subdivisions, commercial site preparation, heavy land clearing, and public infrastructure utility mains.
Our midi range bridges the gap between compact agility and large-scale earthmoving production, offering enclosed, climate-controlled cabins and heavy steel tracks for maximum field productivity.
- Kubota U55 (5.5T): Combines load-sensing hydraulics with a true zero tail swing profile to lift heavy loads confidently within active urban roadside corridors.
- Link: View Kubota U55 5.5T Excavator
- Kubota KX080-3 (8T): Offers a tight tail swing configuration and massive breakout force to anchor large civil subdivisions where standard 14-tonne machines face width or overhead restrictions.
- Link: View Kubota KX080-3 8T Excavator
- Yanmar SV100-2B (10T): Features a specialised VICTAS offset track roller design that significantly reduces ground vibration while providing dual auxiliary hydraulics for heavy rock breakers.
- Link: View Yanmar SV100-2B 10T Excavator
The Heavy Civil Range (14.5T to 15T)
Primary Applications: Bulk earthmoving, commercial site clearing, deep main pipeline works, and high-volume tipper truck loading.
Built for high-production civil environments, these full-scale machines deliver maximum breakout force, expansive dumping heights, and advanced onboard safety monitoring technology.
- Hyundai HX145LCR (14.5T): Features a reduced tail swing footprint, Intelligent Power Control (IPC) for fuel efficiency, and a 360-degree Around View Monitoring (AAVM) camera system for maximum perimeter safety.
- Link: View Hyundai HX145LCR 14.5T Excavator
- Hyundai R145CR-9 (15T): Our heaviest short tail civil excavator, utilising an advanced multi-pump hydraulic management system to deliver exceptional bucket digging power and smooth attachment control in tough WA ground conditions.
- Link: View Hyundai R145CR-9 15T Excavator
Fleet Specification Comparison Table
| Model | Tonnage | Overall Width | Max Dig Depth | Best Application | Quick Link |
| Kubota U10-5 | 1.2T | 750mm – 990mm | 1,800mm | Micro-access, internal doorways, small residential yards. | View Model → |
| Takeuchi TB216 | 1.6T | 980mm – 1,300mm | 2,390mm | Narrow utility trenching, plumbing and electrical runs. | View Model → |
| Kubota U27-4 | 2.7T | 1,500mm | 2,820mm | Working flush against boundary walls and tight fences. | View Model → |
| Kubota U35-4 | 3.5T | 1,700mm | 3,010mm | Detailed civil plumbing, domestic pool excavations. | View Model → |
| Takeuchi TB335R | 3.7T | 1,740mm | 3,210mm | Urban road corridors, high-precision attachment work. | View Model → |
| Kubota KX040-4 | 4.0T | 1,700mm | 3,420mm | Lifting heavy blocks, commercial footings, structural trenches. | View Model → |
| Kubota U55 | 5.5T | 1,960mm | 3,630mm | Heavy site preparation, pipeline runs, congested civil sites. | View Model → |
| Kubota KX080-3 | 8.0T | 2,200mm | 4,600mm | Large-scale subdivisions, deep drainage, heavy lifting. | View Model → |
| Yanmar SV100-2B | 10.0T | 2,320mm | 4,580mm | Major utility main pipelines, high-impact rock breaking. | View Model → |
| Hyundai HX145LCR | 14.5T | 2,590mm | 5,500mm | Bulk commercial clearing, rapid tipper loading, highway upgrades. | View Model → |
| Hyundai R145CR-9 | 15.0T | 2,600mm | 5,530mm | Bulk earthmoving, mining infrastructure, heavy civil work. | View Model → |
The Miniquip Machinery Dry Hire Advantage
Every excavator in our fleet undergoes rigorous multi-point mechanical inspections at our in-house service centre before it leaves the yard. We dispatch our machines fully serviced, detailed, and completely compliant with Australian safety standards so they can deploy immediately to your site.
Contractors can arrange straightforward machinery self-collection from our main depot located at 14 Roos Avenue, Forrestdale WA 6112, or leverage our dedicated transport fleet of flatbeds and commercial low-loaders for prompt, efficient site delivery across the entire Perth metro region and regional WA areas.
Ready to book your next machine? Secure the perfect excavator size class for your upcoming Perth project today. Call our specialist hire team on 1300 222 558 or request a dry hire quote online.