renting a small excavator, or hiring one.

seventyseven250 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-31-2007, 09:55 AM

I've got a small excavating project to do in my front yard. I've been thinking that renting a small excavator might be the way to go. Rona rents something like the first one on this page:
http://www.betterrentals.com.au/prod...cat=16&group=4

Anyway, my truck isn't set up for towing, so I'd need to rent a truck (no problem) and trailer. Where can a person rent an equipment trailer?

All in all, it might be simpler to find someone who does small jobs with these.
I'm not sure a bobcat would work, as I need to dig a small-ish hole, fairly deep. I don't have a lot of space to make a big hole and then fill it in afterwards.

So, Questions:
1) has anyone ever rented something like this? How did it go?
2) where can you rent a trailer?
3) Does anyone know someone in the Calgary area who does small excavating jobs?

Digger6 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-31-2007, 11:05 AM

Find the Flaman rentals closest to you. they tend to tailor to agriculture so they should have a trailer big enough to haul a little bobcat hoe.

CARV · #3 (**permalink**) 07-31-2007, 11:07 AM

I have rented them several times. Where you rent it should supply the trailer or could possibly deliver it. My projects went very well and I accomplished everything I wanted to plus more. But I know how to operate an excavator; they are basically the same as a back hoe. If you can run a backhoe you should be ok. If you have never run equipment you may be better off hiring someone to do the job. An experienced operator can do lots of work quickly and neatly. You can make a mess quick and do lots of damage with heavy equipment if you don’t know what you’re doing.

I have run many types of heavy equipment. I had a friend deliver to me a large bulldozer to dig a horse ring. After careful consideration I had him also deliver an operator. My small mistakes with the dozer would have cost me big in stone dust. I had never run a dozer and considered discretion the better part of valor. The few hundred spent for the operator was saved in stone dust I’m sure. The drainage on the ring is perfect because the operator knew what he was doing, not me. I guess what I am saying is know your limitations. Whatever you decide, Good Luck!!

mustange70 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-31-2007, 10:07 PM

Check out hertz equipment rentals, just know of them, don't know anything about them though, would be the effort to check them out.

Mil1ion · #5 (**permalink**) 07-31-2007, 11:46 PM

What may I ask is this project ?

Would a Bobcat with a post hole auger do it for you ?

seventyseven250 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-10-2007, 09:48 AM

Sorry for the slow reply, I've been away for work.

Anyway, this project is the removal of three lilac stumps. could dig them out myself by hand, but that sounds like a lot of work.
I don't think a stump grinder would do it, since Lilacs have such deep roots, and it'll just grow back.
A bobcat might be able to do it, but I'm not sure how deep of a hole it could make without making the hole wide (does that make sense?)
I'm limited in space, as I have the City sidewalk right nearby, and some fence-posts for my chain-link that I don't want to move.

Mil1ion · #7 (**permalink**) 08-10-2007, 10:38 PM

I removed one of those with my concrete truck and its tow cable after my friend dug out around it......... back in 1976.

5 monster tugs in low gear yanked it out

seventyseven250 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-11-2007, 03:13 PM

So if I plan to use the Camper Special I should fill the box with gravel first then. Hmmm.

Beach_Bob · #9 (**permalink**) 08-26-2007, 03:16 PM

If you're still looking for rental... Modern Equipment Rental rents mini-hoes and will deliver/pick up. Solves your towing problem.

Fomoko1 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-26-2007, 11:07 PM

I run a Bobcat service and with a grapple fork/tine attachment the Bobcat would take the three lilac stumps out in quickly and with minimal soil disturbance.
Phone around for some quotes, as mentioned before an experienced operator makes a big difference. If you are near a Bobcat service that cuts down on the travel charge.

seventyseven250 · #11 (**permalink**) 08-26-2007, 11:46 PM

There has to be fifty different bobcat companies in Calgary, but getting one who's interested in a small job is a bit tough. I've got two that won't even call me back, let alone give me an estimate. I guess it's time to spend a morning on the phone, just calling every one in the yellow pages until one of them will give it a shot.
Let me tell you, I can't wait until the energy boom is over so I can get decent serice in restaurants and contractors that are willing to work.

Fomoko1 · #12 (**permalink**) 08-27-2007, 12:38 AM

Small jobs can cost me money to do but if it`s fairly close by and sounds interesting, if I have time I`ll do it even though it`s only coffee money.
It gets expensive to run 12 tons of steel (an L8000 Ford and Bobcat with trailer) down the road aways.....

rollerstud98 · #13 (**permalink**) 01-10-2008, 12:51 AM

Did you get it done? Scott equipment rental out here in Airdrie has everything you'd need if not, they supply the trailers as well

seventyseven250 · #14 (**permalink**) 01-10-2008, 10:10 AM

I never did anything with it. The job is still waiting for me. I may go ahead and rent a truck and bobcat in the spring. I have another job to do that would be suited to a bobcat.

When renting bobcats and excavators, do you have to prove that you know how to use it? or do they just give you a quick once-over and then let you take your own risks?

what is a ballpark cost for a couple of days rental on one of these?

rollerstud98 · #15 (**permalink**) 01-10-2008, 10:40 AM

They just give you a quick once over and you're good to go, the cost was something like $250 a day I think, its very reasonable.