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1.8 Tonne Mini Excavator – Iron Roo IR18
Iron Roo IR18 – 1.8 Tonne Mini Excavator Hire
Powerful, compact and versatile mini excavator hire in the Southern Highlands, NSW.
Need to dig a trench, install drainage, prepare a garden, drill fence post holes or tackle an excavation project around your property?
The Iron Roo IR18 1.8-tonne mini excavator is a practical choice for homeowners, landscapers, tradies and rural property owners who need the capabilities of an excavator without hiring a larger machine.
Powered by a dependable Kubota D722 three-cylinder diesel engine, the IR18 combines a maximum digging depth of 2 metres with smooth pilot joystick controls, rubber tracks, a swing boom and a front dozer blade.
At just 1,150 mm wide, it is well suited to residential backyards, garden projects, rural properties and other locations where access is limited.
Best of all, the hire price includes a transport trailer, quick hitch, 200 mm digging bucket and hydraulic grab — with no additional charge for these standard inclusions.
What Can You Use It For?
Trenching & Drainage
- Stormwater drainage trenches
- Agricultural and residential drainage
- Irrigation system installation
- Water pipe and service trenches
- French drains and drainage improvements
Landscaping & Garden Projects
- Preparing new garden beds
- Removing soil and excavating garden areas
- Levelling and reshaping suitable ground
- Small retaining wall preparation
- Preparing areas for paths, patios and landscaping
- Moving soil, rocks and other suitable materials
Fencing & Post Holes
- Fence post holes
- Gate post preparation
- Tree and shrub planting holes
- Suitable footing holes
- Rural fencing projects
Auger drive and auger bits available as optional attachments.
Property Maintenance & Earthworks
- General excavation
- Site preparation and clean-ups
- Backfilling and spreading soil
- Loosening compacted ground
- Handling branches, roots and debris
- Small acreage improvement projects
All applications are subject to ground conditions, attachment suitability and the machine's safe operating limits.
What's Included in the Hire?
Your standard hire package includes:
- Iron Roo IR18 1.8T mini excavator
- Transport trailer with electric brakes
- Quick hitch for convenient attachment changes
- 200 mm digging bucket for narrow trenching and excavation
- Hydraulic grab for handling suitable rocks, roots, logs and debris
Everything above is included in the standard daily hire price.
Optional Attachments
Customise the excavator for your project with optional attachments available at an additional flat fee for the entire hire period.
- 500 mm Mud Bucket (+$15) — Wider excavation, handling loose soil and general clean-up
- 800 mm Mud Bucket (+$20) — Levelling, backfilling, spreading and moving loose material
- Auger Drive Unit (+$50) — Hydraulic drive for drilling post holes with compatible auger bits
- 200 mm Auger Bit (+$15) — Narrower post holes, fencing and planting
- 300 mm Auger Bit (+$20) — Larger post holes, fencing and planting
- Ripper Attachment (+$20) — Breaking up hard or compacted soil and loosening suitable roots
Auger bits require the auger drive unit.
Attachment fees are charged once per booking, not per day, making multi-day projects more affordable.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Make / Model | Iron Roo IR18 |
| Operating Weight | Approx. 1,800 kg |
| Engine | Kubota D722-E4B diesel |
| Engine Power | 13.9 hp / 10.2 kW |
| Maximum Digging Depth | 2,000 mm |
| Maximum Ground Reach | 3,227 mm |
| Maximum Digging Height | 2,900 mm |
| Maximum Dumping Height | 2,000 mm |
| Machine Width | 1,150 mm |
| Machine Height | 2,300 mm |
| Machine Length | 3,322 mm |
| Track Type | Rubber |
| Track Width | 230 mm |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 12 litres |
| Controls | Pilot-operated joysticks |
| Additional Features | Swing boom, dozer blade, auxiliary hydraulics, hydraulic grab |
Specifications are based on the manufacturer's published figures and may vary slightly with machine configuration and attachments.
Transport & Towing Requirements
An electrically braked plant trailer is included in the hire price.
Customers collecting the excavator must have a suitable tow vehicle and towing equipment.
Requirements include:
- Approximately 2,500 kg minimum braked towing capacity, subject to confirmation of actual loaded trailer weight
- Compatible, operational electric trailer brake controller
- Standard 50 mm towball
- Australian 7-pin flat trailer electrical connection
- Suitable towbar and towball download ratings
- Compliance with applicable vehicle and trailer weight limits
- Appropriately licensed driver
Important: A 7-pin trailer plug alone does not mean your vehicle has an electric brake controller. Both are required.
Tow vehicle suitability must be confirmed before collection.
Hire Pricing
Daily Hire: $195 including GST
Includes the excavator, trailer, quick hitch, 200 mm digging bucket and hydraulic grab.
A $200 refundable security bond applies in addition to the hire fee.
Optional attachments are charged separately at the advertised flat fees.
Equipment must be returned in accordance with the hire agreement, allowing for fair wear and tear. Additional charges may apply for fuel, excessive cleaning, missing equipment, late returns or damage.
Hire Requirements & Safety
- Dry hire only — an operator is not included
- Equipment must be operated by an authorised, competent person
- Customers must follow the supplied operating and safety instructions
- Underground and overhead services must be identified and assessed before excavation
- The excavator must not be operated beyond its rated capabilities
- Suitable ground conditions and safe operating access are required
- Valid identification and acceptance of the hire agreement are required
- A pre-hire condition inspection and equipment handover will be completed
Mini Excavator Hire in the Southern Highlands
Based in Colo Vale, Zee's Mowing provides local equipment hire for customers throughout the Southern Highlands, including Mittagong, Bowral, Moss Vale, Berrima, Hill Top, Yerrinbool, Exeter, Sutton Forest and surrounding rural areas.
Whether you're completing a backyard landscaping project, digging drainage trenches, installing fence posts or maintaining an acreage property, our Iron Roo IR18 provides a versatile solution for a wide range of smaller excavation jobs.
Book your 1.8-tonne mini excavator hire today and select the optional attachments suited to your project.