Excavator Hire South Africa helps you hire tracked excavators from 1.5-ton mini machines to 30-ton units, usually with an operator. Send one request and compare rates from independent excavator hire companies.
Give the excavator size and job to get hire rates.
Get the Best QuoteSizes and Attachments
- Mini excavator, 1.5 to 3 ton. Gardens, pools, tight access.
- Midi excavator, 5 to 8 ton. Trenches and small sites.
- 20-ton excavator. Bulk digging, loading trucks, basements.
- 30-ton and up. Large volumes, rock and civil work.
- Attachments. Breaker, ripper tooth, grab, tilt bucket.
Where It Is Used
- Excavation. Basements, pools and foundations.
- Loading. Filling tippers and ADTs.
- Trenching. Deep or wide pipelines.
- Demolition and rock. With breaker or grab.
Hire Terms
- Wet hire. Operator and usually diesel, per hour, minimum 9-hour day on large machines.
- Dry hire. For contractors with operators, weekly or monthly.
- Transport. Larger units travel by lowbed float.
- Wear parts. Teeth and breaker tools may be charged extra.
Excavator Hire Prices
Ballpark prices so you can check a quotation.
| Item | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Mini excavator 1.5 to 3 t, wet, per hour | R300 - R550 |
| Midi 5 to 8 t, wet, per hour | R450 - R750 |
| 20-ton, wet, per hour | R750 - R1,300 |
| 30-ton, wet, per hour | R950 - R1,600 |
| Hydraulic breaker on 20 t, extra per hour | R250 - R500 |
| Lowbed float, 20 t, each way | R4,500 - R12,000 |
Prices JUST UPDATED. Ballpark figures, rounded, excluding VAT. They reflect typical South African contractor and plant hire rates. They are not our prices or quotations, and no provider is bound by them. Confirm what each quotation includes, such as transport, diesel, operator, tip fees and minimum hours.
Get prices for your site rather than a range. Send one request and compare replies.
Get the Best QuoteWhat Affects the Price
- Size. Choose the smallest machine that does the job efficiently.
- Duration. Longer hire cuts the hourly rate.
- Transport. Floats for big machines can cost more than a day's hire.
- Rock. Breaker work wears tools quickly.
What to Include in Your Request
- Site address.
- The job and rough volume.
- Preferred machine size.
- Duration and start date.
- Access width and ground conditions.
- Whether trucks are needed.
Site and Access Considerations
- Access. Minis fit through about 1 m openings. A 20-ton needs road access for the float.
- Overhead lines. Keep well clear of power lines.
- Ground bearing. Soft ground and slopes limit big machines.
- Trucks. Match truck numbers to excavator output to avoid paying for waiting.
Excavator Hire FAQs
What size excavator do I need?
Mini for gardens and pools, 20-ton for bulk digging and loading trucks. Describe the job for advice.
How much is a 20-ton excavator per hour?
Roughly R750 to R1,300 per hour with operator, before transport.
Is there a minimum hire?
Large excavators are normally a 9-hour day minimum. Minis may be half-day.
Can an excavator break rock?
Yes, with a hydraulic breaker attachment at an extra rate.
Related Services
Request Excavator Hire quotes through Earthworks South Africa and compare rates, scope and availability from each provider.
Earthworks South Africa is a lead-generation and quote-comparison service. We do not own machinery, employ operators or carry out earthworks. Your enquiry is matched with independent providers who quote and do the work, and your contract is with the provider you choose. Ask for a written quotation that states the scope, quantities, rates, exclusions and timing before you pay a deposit.
Excavator Hire South Africa. Describe your job once and compare replies from independent providers.
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