Mini Excavator Rental in Alabama: How to Pick the Right Machine

How to Pick the Right Mini Excavator Rental in Alabama

Let’s say you’re installing a new fence, but you don’t want to spend days digging post holes. Or maybe your yard keeps flooding, and it’s finally time to put in a French drain. Or you’re trying to clear a UTV path, but the chainsaw-and-tractor method just isn’t cutting it. 

If any of that sounds familiar, it’s time to look at a mini excavator rental. These machines are powerful, efficient, and surprisingly easy to operate (especially if you’ve used other equipment before). 

Let’s walk through everything you need to know before renting a Bobcat® mini excavator, including rental rates and ways to save money in Alabama. 

First-Time Renter? Here’s What to Know

If you’re about to operate a mini excavator rental for the first time, there’s a couple things you should know. We pulled together some of the best tips from experienced operators—what helped them the most and what they wish they’d done differently. 

Plan Your Rental Time Wisely

The biggest difference between renting and owning? You’re not in control of machine availability. Before locking in your project dates, check with your local dealer. They can help you figure out what equipment you need and when it’s available. 

We also heard this tip from multiple operators—and we couldn’t agree more: overestimate your rental duration. 

Even if you’ve used a small excavator before, it takes time to get used to a new model. And, sometimes, life happens. The last thing you want is to run out of rental time too early because of unexpected circumstances. 

In some cases, booking extra time can actually save you money. Let’s say you want to rent a Bobcat E35 from Bobcat of Huntsville. Plan far enough in advance that you have time to ask our Rental department about weekend rates. Then, compare the prices of a daily rate, a daily rate over the weekend, a weekly rate, and a weekly rate over the weekend. Longer rental terms can cost much less than hourly…especially if you take advantage of a weekend savings program. 

Things to Do Before You Start the Job

• Fuel up ahead of time. Get one or two diesel cans. Fill them up and have them at your house. That way, if you run out of fuel in the middle of the project, you don’t have to drop everything and go to the store. 

• Give your neighbors a heads-up. If you’re close to other neighbors, let them know that you’ll be operating equipment. This is more of a courtesy than anything else, but it can go a long way. 

• Check out the Rental Protection Plan. Learn more about Bobcat of Huntsville’s RPP. If there is an unforeseen problem with the machine, an RPP agreement can save you a lot of money on excavator repairs. 

• Learn how to operate the excavator. If you can’t find your exact model, find a general guide for the brand. The video below is a great resource for Bobcat excavators. 

• Inspect the machine before you use it. When you get the excavator, go through a thorough visual inspection to make sure everything looks good before you start working. 

What Size Excavator Do You Need?

Not sure how big your rental excavator needs to be? 

If you’re new to equipment: Call our Rental team. Tell them what you’re working on, and they can help you pick the right-sized machine. 

If you’ve operated equipment before: Estimate how much dig depth you’ll need, then compare it to the specs of each rental model. Once you’ve got a good idea of what you need, give us a call. Our Rental team will double-check your choice and let you know what’s available. 

Size & Specs: What Matters for Your Rental?

Let’s go a little deeper (pun intended!) into excavator specs and how they can help you choose the right machine. Excavator specs might look like a bunch of numbers, but they tell you exactly what the machine can handle. Here’s what you need to know for a rental machine: 

Dig Depth & Dump Height

• How deep the excavator will dig & how high you can lift materials before dumping them 

• Our smallest model: 6′ dig depth, 6′ dump height 

• Our largest model: 15′ 2″ dig depth, 16′ 5″ dump height
  

Width

• Will you fit through the doorway? This is the total measurement across the machine’s widest point, including any overhang. 

• Our smallest model: 28 in 

• Our largest model: 86.6 in 

Operating Weight

• How are you going to haul this machine? This is the total weight of the machine as it’s typically used in the field (including an average weight for the operator). 

• Our smallest model: 2,593 lbs 

• Our largest model: 19,600 lbs 

 

Attachments: Do You Need a Thumb?

You might be looking at specialty attachments for your job as well. But, if you need to pick up, grab, or move materials, you’ll need to include a hydraulic thumb rental. Different people call it different things. At Bobcat of Huntsville, it’s called a clamp attachment. 

 

 

How Much Do Mini Excavator Rentals Cost?

Rental rates depend on the excavator model and how long you need it. Here’s what you can expect to pay at Bobcat of Huntsville: 

*Note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please visit Bobcat of Huntsville’s rental page. 

These excavator rental prices aren’t fixed across the board. They can shift for a lot of reasons. At Bobcat of Huntsville, we try to keep things as simple and fair as possible. We just want to give you the best rental experience we can—whether that’s with pricing, transportation, or even just a quick call with someone from our Rental team. 

Other Costs to Keep in Mind

• Rental Protection Plan 

• Delivery and pickup fees 

• Trailer Rental 

• Taxes 

• Attachments (augers, breakers, grading buckets) 

• Fuel (varies by model) 

Ways to Save Money on Your Rental

• Longer rentals lower the daily rate. 

• Off-season rates may be lower—ask our team for specifics. 

• Keep an eye out for limited-time rental promotions at Bobcat of Huntsville. 

 

Why Rent from Bobcat of Huntsville?

Renting a compact excavator is more than just picking a machine and finding a good price. You also want a dealer who knows the equipment inside and out. 

That’s where we come in. Larger rental companies might have the excavator, but they don’t specialize in Bobcat. Renting from us means you get the right machine, plus access to Bobcat attachments and expert product knowledge—all in the same place. 

Get the Right Excavator—Get the Job Done Right

Bobcat mini excavators are easy to use and fun to operate. If you’re a first-time operator (or if you’ve rented before), we can help you find the right machine for the job. Talk to our Rental team today!