If you’re planning a project that involves digging or excavation, you know that an important part of preparation is selecting the equipment you’ll be using. A lot of heavy machinery rentals can assist with digging and excavation—like mini excavator rentals and backhoes.
So how do you know which equipment rental is the right choice for your project?
Backhoe Vs Mini Excavator Rentals
Backhoes and mini excavators are powerful, useful machines that can help you complete a variety of jobs and projects. Although they feature overlapping capabilities, these two machines are decidedly different.
What Is a Mini Excavator?
As the name suggests, a mini excavator is a compact version of a standard excavator. It typically features a cab for the operator, tracks or wheels for mobility, and an arm that can be outfitted with various attachments, such as a bucket, breakers, augers, and more.
Mini excavators are typically smaller and lighter than backhoes and support 360-degree cab rotation.
What Is a Backhoe?
A backhoe, or backhoe loader, combines the functionalities of a loader and an excavator. The back of the machine features a digging arm similar to a mini excavator. The arm can also be outfitted with various attachments, while the front of the machine features a loader bucket.
Backhoes typically have more power than a mini excavator and are also road-friendly. Unlike mini excavators, backhoes can only rotate 200 degrees.
How To Decide Between a Backhoe or Mini Excavator Rental
Once you know the differences between a mini excavator rental and a backhoe rental, there are four key aspects to help determine your best option.
What Is Your Project?
First, consider the scope and nature of your project. For example, if you’re working on a small-scale project or digging trenches in a confined space, a mini excavator rental may be the better choice due to its light weight and maneuverability. Mini excavators are also a better choice for projects with repetitive, stationary tasks.
On the other hand, if you’re undertaking a larger construction project that requires more power, a backhoe rental is likely the more suitable choice. And if your project involves both digging and hauling materials—even from one work site to another—a backhoe is the better option.
What Other Equipment Do You Have?
Take stock of the other equipment you’ll be using on the job site. For instance, if you’re already planning to rent a loader or another machine for material-handling tasks, a mini excavator rental will likely be sufficient for your project needs.
Conversely, if your project calls for a machine that can multitask and handle both digging and loading, a backhoe rental might be the way to go.
What Are the Size Constraints?
Consider your work area; are there any size constraints or access limitations that will affect what equipment you can effectively use? If your work site is small or involves tasks in tight areas, mini excavator rentals are the more optimal choice as they excel at navigating through narrow passages with ease.
If size constraints are not an issue, then a backhoe rental might be a viable option.
Do You Need Attachments?
Although both machines can utilize an array of attachments, it’s important to ensure you can find and access the specific attachments you’ll need for your project. Once you’ve determined if you’ll need any additional attachments, reach out to The Equipment Source and one of our rental professionals will help you reserve the equipment you need.
Are There Mini Excavator Rentals Near Me?
When it comes to earth moving equipment rentals, going local makes all the difference. Fortunately, The Equipment Source has seven different rental locations as well as equipment delivery and pickup services. With five locations in Florida, one in Mississippi, and one in Iowa, we are ready to help you find and rent the tools and equipment you need to finish your projects with ease.
Have any questions? Looking for a mini excavator rental in Englewood, Florida, or another one of our locations? If you are ready to reserve a small equipment rental, our team at The Equipment Source is ready to help: Contact our equipment rental experts today!
BONUS: Whether you have just one project or several, make sure you’re not forgetting any important details with our handy Rental Checklist download!
FAQs
What’s the difference between a backhoe and a mini excavator?
The key differences between a backhoe and a mini excavator involve their sizes and functionality:
Mini excavators tend to be smaller and lighter than backhoes, and backhoes have higher horsepower and are capable of multitasking.
Is a mini excavator better than a backhoe?
Both mini excavators and backhoes are advantageous pieces of heavy equipment, but they’re both better suited for different jobs. For example, mini excavators are typically better for jobs that are indoors, are on weight-sensitive sites, in confined areas, or involve repetitive tasks. Alternatively, backhoes are often better suited for larger jobs that require higher horsepower levels, involve a lot of material hauling, or are spread across multiple worksites.
What are the disadvantages of mini excavators and backhoes?
Depending on your project needs and goals, one person’s disadvantage is another’s advantage. However, there are admittedly some commonly dubbed “disadvantages” of each machine:
Mini excavators: Limited digging depth, lower horsepower, lower operating weight, small operator cabin.
Backhoes: Limited rotation maneuverability, higher fuel consumption levels, limited visibility, and multitasking capabilities increase danger risks.
Are there any small equipment rentals near me?
With seven different locations, the team of experts at The Equipment Source is ready to help you access the tools and equipment you need to finish your projects.
Are there any excavator rentals near me in Naples, Florida?
Yes! One of The Equipment Source’s eight locations is in Naples, Florida. Open Monday through Friday from 7-5, our expert team is ready to help you access the tools and equipment you need.