A salesman stopped by with a brochure for this tiny thing. Of course, he wanted to sell one, but he sent me rental info. I can get it for $400 a week! Don't laugh, they send out crews of plumber's helpers and plumbers to hand dig jobs every year, and this would make relatively short work of those digs. The ROPS folds to get through a regular 6'8" doorway and it is only 27" wide folded up. https://www.yanmar.com/global/construction/products/excavator/sv08/
No way I'm laughing at that little digger when my other option is a shovel! "Operators" who make fun of that haven't spent enough time with a pick and shovel.
And should be afforded every opportunity to experience the caveman tools after the snickers and guffaws.
Depends on what kinda dirt you have to dig! If it is sand - then that it might be almost useless, but if it rocks - will be a God sent!!! The biggest problem with those tiny ones - they tip over super easy! You hook a little bitty root or a wire - and you going down face first!!!
Great machines for repairing foundations or weeping tile, especially when you have a narrow gate to get through. Don't see why they would tip over any easier than a larger machine. If you have roots or hard digging, keep the bucket closer to the machine or dig over the blade with it supporting the machine. A 1000 times better than a shovel!
this would be almost exclusively digging inside an existing slab on grade building with narrow saw cuts. Stability is not the issue here. You might even be filling a wheelbarrow show with pieces of slab and the dirt on the way out, for example. Or digging and straddling the trench cut for as far as it takes to find a place to stack the dirt Note that is does stretch out and the blade folds open to make it dig stable. I don't think it was ever intended to dig all folded in narrow, BUT: Raise your hand if you've had to dig just a little with one or both outriggers up on a backhoe?
I follow these guys on Instagram and always amazed at what they get done with small machines https://instagram.com/elmbridgeminidiggers?igshid=1fqvx87fjdl5t I think as Lots get smaller and density goes up, along with the expense of new homes, people will remodel more and on tighter spaces there is a market for someone to pursue mini work like the guys above. Micro Excavators, small dumpers and drop/hook bins for materials and waste
Lazy labourers make the best operators.
There's even smaller machines you stand up to operate. Even if they only lift 100lbs. that's more than you could consistently lift with a shovel and they don't get tired.
With the blade down, the chart is all<500 pounds! This one will dig a 4' deep trench and that will do the trick. It does not have zero swing, it hangs over the back about 1' when swung to the side. I am actually looking forward to renting one and kissing my knees for a day of digging
Before mini ex's became the rage I secured a job at one of the largest retail markets in my area, they were expanding the store double the size. I had my skid steer with Bradco backhoe attachment that could maneuver better than a backhoe inside the building. I dug the utility and refrigeration lines. This machine would be excellent for that, probably faster.
best possible answer!