Retaining walls, drainage, garden bed prep, and site levelling — get the right machine for your landscaping job. Dry hire from $200/day, next-day delivery across Sydney.
Recommended: 1.7T or 3.5T
Excavate the footing trench, place the base course, and backfill behind the wall. The 1.7T suits walls up to 1,000mm; the 3.5T is better for larger retaining structures.
Recommended: 0.8T or 1.7T
Strip topsoil, loosen compacted ground, and shape garden beds. The 0.8T is perfect for tight residential gardens where a full-size machine would cause damage.
Recommended: 1.7T
Dig drainage channels, install ag-pipe, and backfill. The 1.7T's 2,500mm dig depth covers most residential drainage requirements.
Recommended: 3.5T or 5.5T
Level sloped blocks, remove excess soil, and prepare sites for turf or paving. The 3.5T is the workhorse for most residential levelling jobs.
Recommended: 1.7T or 3.5T
Excavate around root systems and remove stumps without damaging surrounding lawn or structures. Zero tail swing machines are essential near fences.
Recommended: 0.8T or 1.7T
Precise excavation for ponds, water features, and pondless waterfalls. The 0.8T's compact size allows work in established garden areas with minimal disturbance.
A landscaping contractor working in Avalon needed to build a 12-metre sandstone retaining wall on a sloped block with 1,300mm side access. The 1.7T Yanmar ViO17 was delivered at 7am. The footing trench was complete by midday, the base course was set by 3pm, and the machine was used the following day for backfilling and soil removal.
Total hire: 2 days at $205/day plus delivery. The job was completed on schedule with no fence damage and no site damage — the zero tail swing design of the ViO17 was the key factor on this constrained site.
For most residential landscaping jobs in Sydney — retaining walls, garden bed preparation, drainage trenching — a 1.7T mini excavator is the most versatile choice. It fits through standard side gates (1,200mm+), has zero tail swing to protect fences and structures, and can dig to 2,500mm for drainage work. For larger earthworks or heavy retaining walls, the 3.5T provides more power and speed.
Yes. A 1.7T or 3.5T excavator is ideal for retaining wall construction — excavating the footing trench, placing the base course, and backfilling behind the wall. For walls over 1,000mm high, a 3.5T is recommended for the heavier lifting and backfill compaction work.
Excavator hire for landscaping in Sydney starts from $200/day for a 0.8T and $205/day for a 1.7T. Most landscaping jobs require 1–3 days depending on the scope. Delivery & collection from $110. Weekly rates are available for ongoing projects — call 1300 157 882.
Tell us your job and we'll match you with the right machine. Next-day delivery across Sydney.