Micro Digger Hire

Micro digger hire prices depend on hire length and delivery distance. Daily rates suit one-off jobs, weekend hire works well for two-day domestic projects (typically Friday to Monday), and weekly rates work out cheaper per day for anything longer. Delivery is usually charged separately based on mileage from your nearest depot. Call Hirelink or submit an enquiry for a current price on the Kubota K008-3.

Yes, in most cases. With the tracks retracted, the Kubota K008-3 measures approximately 700mm wide, which fits through a standard UK single doorway (typically 760-810mm) and through most domestic garden gates. Measure your access point at its narrowest, including any door frames or gate posts, before you book. If the access is borderline, give the team a ring and we’ll talk it through.

The Kubota K008-3 has a maximum digging depth of approximately 1.72m. That’s enough for the vast majority of domestic and small commercial groundworks: drainage trenches, foundations for garden rooms and extensions, fence post holes, garden pond excavation, and patio sub-bases. For deeper trenches, you’ll want to step up to a 1.5T or 1.7T mini digger.

Standard jobs include foundations for garden offices, garden levelling, drainage runs, soakaways, patio and decking sub-bases, pond and water feature excavation, tree stump removal, fence post holes, small landscaping projects, indoor groundworks (in commercial conversions), and clearing spoil. Anywhere a mini digger can’t fit but a spade is too slow.

There’s no legal requirement for a formal qualification to operate a micro digger on private domestic land, but you must use the machine safely and in line with the manufacturer’s guidance. For commercial site work, operators should hold a CPCS or NPORS card for 360 degree excavators. If you’re new to digger operation, give yourself an hour of practice on a clear bit of ground before starting the real work.

The Kubota K008-3 is one of the easier diggers to learn. It uses standard twin-joystick controls (ISO or SAE pattern depending on the machine; we’ll confirm at handover) plus simple foot pedals for the tracks. The forgiving response and small bucket capacity make it a good machine to learn on. Our driver will run you through the controls when the machine arrives.

The machine arrives ready to start work, with enough diesel to get going. For short hires that’s usually enough. For longer hires or heavier use, you’ll need to top up with regular road diesel (or red diesel where you’re entitled to use it). Confirm fuel arrangements with the team when you book; this varies slightly between depots.

A digging bucket is supplied as standard. Trenching buckets (narrower, for drainage), grading buckets (wider, for finishing), and ditching buckets are available on request. Let the team know the sizes you need when you book and we’ll have them ready with the machine. The K008-3 uses a quick-hitch so swapping buckets on site takes a minute.

Almost certainly not on a standard car licence. The Kubota K008-3 plus a plant trailer weighs more than 750kg, which means towing it requires a B+E licence category (only automatic on licences issued before 1997 in the UK). Most customers take delivery rather than collect. If you’re a trade customer with the right licence and your own trailer, talk to the team about collection.

Yes. The K008-3 runs on rubber tracks, which are safe for use on block paving, tarmac, decking, and finished surfaces without marking them. The expandable dozer blade also has a rubber edge option. Avoid sharp turns on soft tarmac in hot weather and lay ground protection mats on anything you absolutely can’t risk damaging.

Standard plant PPE applies. Wear a hard hat (the K008-3 has a ROPS frame, but PPE is still required), steel toe-capped safety boots, heavy-duty gloves, eye protection, and high-vis clothing if you’re on a commercial site or near a public road. Keep bystanders well clear of the working area, especially the swing radius behind the machine.

For most hires we’ll need photo ID (driving licence), and another form of proof of address dated within the last three months, and a deposit at the time of booking. Trade customers with an account just need to confirm the booking. For commercial use, your site should have appropriate planning, method statements, and signage in place before the machine arrives.