What excavator do I need for footing excavation in NSW?

## Excavator Hire for Footing Excavation in NSW Footing excavation is one of the most technically demanding applications for a mini excavator — accuracy matters as much as speed. The right machine, operated carefully, can produce clean, accurate footings that meet your engineer's specifications. ### Types of Footings and Machine Requirements **Strip footings (residential extensions, garages, sheds):** - Typical dimensions: 450–600mm wide, 300–600mm deep - Recommended machine: 1.7T mini excavator - The 1.7T's bucket width (450mm standard, 600mm available) matches standard strip footing widths **Pad footings (posts, columns):** - Typical dimensions: 600mm × 600mm × 600mm deep - Recommended machine: 1T or 1.7T - Pad footings require precise positioning — the 1T's smaller footprint is easier to manoeuvre for isolated pads **Raft slab preparation:** - Requires bulk excavation to a uniform depth - Recommended machine: 1.7T or 3.5T depending on area - The 3.5T is more productive for large slab areas **Pier holes (bored piers):** - Requires an auger attachment, not a standard bucket - Contact BuildHire about auger attachment availability ### Accuracy in Footing Excavation Footing excavation requires more accuracy than bulk earthmoving. Key tips: **Set out your footings before hiring:** Mark the footing positions with string lines and pegs before the excavator arrives. This allows you to excavate accurately without wasting hire time on set-out. **Use the correct bucket width:** A 450mm bucket produces a cleaner footing than a 600mm bucket for a 450mm footing. Ask BuildHire about bucket width options when booking. **Don't over-excavate:** Excavating deeper than the engineer's specification wastes concrete and may require additional fill. Work carefully and check depth regularly with a tape measure. **Clean the base:** After bulk excavation, clean the footing base by hand or with a small bucket to remove loose material. Concrete should be poured onto a clean, undisturbed base. ### Soil Conditions and Footing Depth in Sydney NSW Building Code requirements for footing depth vary by soil classification (AS 2870). Sydney's soils range from Class A (stable sand) to Class E (extremely reactive clay). In reactive clay areas (Western Sydney, Hills District), footings may need to be deeper than standard — consult your engineer. For footing excavation in rock (common in Inner West, North Shore, parts of Western Sydney), a hydraulic rock breaker attachment may be required. Contact BuildHire about rock breaker hire. ### Combining Footing Excavation with Other Work Many BuildHire customers hire an excavator for footing excavation and use the same machine for other site preparation tasks on the same day — site levelling, service trenching, or spoil removal. This maximises the value of the hire.