What Size Excavator Do I Need?
Updated October 9, 2026
Most residential and light commercial jobs in South Florida fit a 3 to 4 ton mini excavator, which digs about 10 feet deep and fits through a driveway gate. Go smaller (1 to 2 tons) only for very tight backyards, and bigger (5 tons and up) for deep digs or loading trucks all day.
Excavator size classes
| Class | Operating weight | Typical dig depth | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micro | Under 4,000 lbs (1 to 2 tons) | About 6 to 8 ft | Inside fences, small trenches, landscape planting |
| Mini (ours) | 6,000 to 9,000 lbs (3 to 4 tons) | About 10 ft | Trenches, footings, drainage, pool and septic work, demolition |
| Midi | 10,000 to 20,000 lbs (5 to 10 tons) | About 12 to 15 ft | Deep utility work, site prep, loading trucks all day |
Ranges are typical across brands. Our machine is a Bobcat E35R2: 7,699 lbs, 10.1 ft max dig depth, reduced tail swing.
Job by job
| Job | Size that works | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Irrigation or electrical trench | Mini or micro | Most runs are shallow. A narrow bucket saves backfill. |
| French drain or swale | Mini | Watch the water table. Trenches fill fast after rain. |
| Footings for a wall, slab or addition | Mini | Pair with a plate compactor for the base. |
| Pool demolition or fill | Mini plus a loader | The excavator breaks and digs, a skid steer or track loader moves fill. Most cities require a permit. |
| Septic tank or drain field | Mini | Licensed septic contractors handle the system itself under Florida Department of Health rules. |
| Stump and root ball removal | Mini | Or a stump grinder if you only need it below grade. |
| Basement or deep utility dig | Midi | Past 10 ft, and any trench 5 ft or deeper needs OSHA protective systems. |
Check access before you pick
- Width. Measure your narrowest gate or path. If it is under about 5 feet, a mini excavator may not fit. Our mini track loader is 36 inches wide for moving material through tight gates.
- Overhead. Look up for power lines, eaves and tree limbs where the boom will swing.
- Ground. Rubber tracks handle South Florida sand well. Plan for the machine to cross finished surfaces on plywood if you need to protect them.
South Florida ground
Most of coastal Palm Beach and Broward sits on sand over a high water table, so holes deeper than a few feet can take on water, especially in the wet season. In much of Miami Dade, limestone sits close to the surface. A standard bucket digs sand easily and struggles in solid rock, so if you hit rock, text us before you force it.
Questions, answered
What size excavator do I need to dig a pool?
A 3 to 4 ton mini excavator handles most residential pool digs and fills, paired with a skid steer or track loader to move material.
How deep can a mini excavator dig?
Most 3 to 4 ton mini excavators reach about 10 feet. Our Bobcat E35R2 digs 10.1 feet.
Will a mini excavator fit through a gate?
Usually not a standard 4 foot side gate. Measure first. For tight backyards, use our 36 inch mini track loader to move material.
What size excavator for a septic tank?
A 3 to 4 ton mini excavator is the common choice. The septic system itself must be installed by a licensed contractor.