For digging work in tight spaces, the mini excavator is the workhorse of choice. Whether it's a utility trench in the back garden, drainage on a company site, or an excavation for a foundation – this compact class handles jobs that would simply be too unwieldy for a large tracked excavator. If you only need this kind of work occasionally, renting is the better option compared to buying: no capital tied up, no maintenance responsibility, no need for a parking space. This guide covers what really matters when renting a mini excavator.

In the industry, "mini excavator" typically refers to tracked excavators up to around 6 tonnes operating weight. The class starts at just over 1 tonne – some manufacturers build even smaller machines – and blends fluidly into the compact excavator segment. The decisive feature isn't weight alone, but transportability: a mini excavator up to about 3.5 tonnes can be moved with a standard car trailer, without requiring heavy-haul transport. Genuine mini excavators also typically have a tracked undercarriage with adjustable track width. This allows them to pass through a normal garden gate (from around 75 cm wide) – an aspect that determines whether many projects are feasible or not.

Two weight classes are the focus of Luibl's mini excavator rental fleet:

1.8-tonne class (Yanmar SV18):

The most compact model in the rental programme. Thanks to its narrow dimensions, it fits through tight access points that stay closed off to heavier machines. Monoblock swing boom, good ground clearance, all-wheel system with all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering. Typical applications: garden design, drainage work, utility trenches on private properties.

3.5-tonne class (Bobcat E35):

More digging force and reach than the 1.8-tonne model, yet still compact enough for tight job sites and transportable with a trailer. All-wheel system included, good ground clearance for outdoor use. Applications: road and pathway construction, foundation work, drainage/sewer work. For heavier earthmoving projects – civil engineering, demolition, major construction sites – Luibl offers tracked excavators up to 30 tonnes (Doosan). This class no longer falls under the term mini excavator, but can be requested through the same rental programme.

Mini excavators for rent are most commonly requested for:

• Trenches for drainage, stormwater and utility lines

• Excavation and foundation work

• Digging out areas for car parks, footpaths and driveways

• Garden design and landscaping

• Demolition of small structures (concrete slabs, foundations)

• Road and pathway construction in narrow sections

Where a mini excavator is no longer sufficient – excavation depth too great, load weight too high, working area too wide – it makes sense to move up to a compact excavator or tracked excavator from around 5 tonnes. Luibl advises on request which machine class suits your project.

The rental price for a mini excavator depends on three factors: machine type, rental duration and delivery distance.

Daily rates for mini excavators in the 1.8- to 3.5-tonne class start in the low three-digit range (CHF). Quoting an exact figure without knowing the delivery location and the specific rental duration would not be serious – regional transport costs and utilisation levels vary too much.

Weekly rates are noticeably cheaper than seven individual days, because Luibl only charges the transport cost once. For projects lasting more than two to three days, the weekly rate is almost always worth it.

Long-term rental from several weeks or months: here Luibl puts together individual quotes. For longer projects, terms are possible that are significantly below the daily-equivalent weekly rate. On request, long-term rentals include inspection in accordance with VUV and scheduled maintenance. For a binding quote including delivery price, contact Luibl directly: Submit an enquiry

Choosing the right machine depends less on a wish list than on the actual conditions on site:

Access to the work site: How wide is the narrowest point? Under 90 cm? Then the 1.8-tonne class is often the only option. Are there steps or high thresholds? A narrow-track undercarriage with high ground clearance is then important. ** Digging depth and swing radius:** The 1.8-tonne class reaches digging depths of roughly 1.7 to 2 m. The 3.5-tonne class goes deeper. For depth work from 3 m, a larger machine makes more sense.

Ground conditions: On soft or uneven ground (garden, field, unsecured slope), tracked undercarriages work more stably than wheeled drives. The models in Luibl's rental fleet are, without exception, fitted with tracked undercarriages.

Transport: Can you move the mini excavator yourself with a trailer, or should Luibl deliver by low-loader? Up to 3.5 tonnes, self-transport is possible with a suitable trailer and an appropriately rated tow vehicle. For your own transport planning, operating weight and machine dimensions are stated in the quote.

For operating a mini excavator, the following applies: there is no driving-licence requirement in the road-traffic sense for the excavator itself. However, anyone operating an excavator on a company site or a commercial construction site is subject to Ordinance 3 to the Employment Act (ArGV 3) as well as the relevant VUV regulations. The VUV / SUVA guidelines (incl. EKAS) require excavator operators to be adequately qualified and instructed. Anyone working with a mini excavator rarely or for the first time should not skip the induction. Luibl offers training courses – including for occasional operators. It also applies that before any work on an area with underground services (gas, water, electricity, telecommunications), a service-location enquiry must be obtained from the network operator. This is a legal requirement and protects against damage and liability. The machines in Luibl's rental fleet are VUV-inspected and serviced before every rental. Inspection documentation is available on request.

Luibl delivers mini excavators with its own fleet of low-loaders directly to your job site – throughout Switzerland, to Austria and to further European countries. This saves you your own transport equipment and logistics effort. Especially with heavy machines or long distances, delivery by Luibl is the most straightforward option. Self-collection is also possible. Locations on request.

The industry rule of thumb: if you use a machine more than 60% of the time, you should buy. If you need it occasionally or for specific projects, you rent. With mini excavators, there's the added factor that maintenance, inspections in accordance with VUV, spare parts and storage space for a machine you own generate ongoing costs that are often underestimated. A rented machine arrives inspected and ready for use – and is collected again after the job. Anyone working with a mini excavator less than 20 to 30 days a year is, as a rule, better off renting.

How quickly is a mini excavator available?

Short-notice requests are possible. Availability depends on the specific model and region. You'll get a quick response on business days via the contact form or by phone. Luibl can be reached Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 17:00.

Is there a minimum rental period?

Daily rentals are possible. For long-term projects, a weekly or monthly rental is worthwhile – with better terms on request.

Do I need a licence for the mini excavator?

Operating a mast platform requires proper instruction in accordance with VUV and, ideally, an operator card (IPAF). Luibl offers training for all equipment types – simply ask when making your enquiry.

What happens if the machine develops a fault on site?

Luibl offers on-site technical support. Through the technician request service, you can request a technician directly while the machine is on hire.