Bobcat mini excavator rental (mini digger) — South Shore & Montérégie
Need to dig in a tight space? Benco rents Bobcat mini excavators (compact E17, E26, E35, E50 models) and Hitachi mini diggers for residential jobsites, landscaping, pool or spa digging and tight-access work. Small enough to clear a fence or work between two buildings, powerful enough to dig a real trench. With or without an operator — delivered straight to your South Shore jobsite from Richelieu.
The mini excavator, built for tight spaces
Unlike a full-size excavator, a mini digger slips in where access is narrow: fenced yards, the gap between two houses, alleys, condo properties, already-landscaped grounds. It's the machine of choice for residential projects and small jobsites where you have to dig without demolishing everything around it. Its narrow width, backfill blade and swing boom let it work right up against structures, without tearing up the lawn the way a heavier machine would.
At Benco, the Bobcat mini excavators cover the whole compact range. The E17, barely a metre wide (about 39 in.), slips through a narrow opening — ideal for the backyard. The E26 and E35 are the workhorses of residential digging: light footings, drainage, trenches. The E50 takes on more demanding work while staying transportable on a standard trailer. We also offer Hitachi mini excavators subject to fleet availability.
Landscaping
Grading, moving soil, stump removal and prepping flower beds in an already-landscaped yard.
View inventoryResidential excavation
Shed, patio or slab footings, digging close to the house without damaging the grounds.
View inventoryTrenches & services
Trenching for electrical, plumbing or gas, with buckets of different widths.
View inventoryDrainage & French drain
Installing a French drain around foundations, drainage slopes and surface water management.
View inventoryPool & spa
Excavation and base prep for an in-ground pool or a spa install, even in a fenced yard.
View inventoryLight municipal work
One-off jobs on sidewalks, green spaces and tight infrastructure for municipalities and property managers.
View all servicesChoose the right size — and haul it
The first criterion is access. Measure the narrowest opening the machine has to clear (fence gate, side passage): that's what determines the weight and width of mini excavator you need. The second is the digging depth and the type of soil. An E17 fits almost anywhere but digs shallower; an E35 or E50 digs deeper and faster, but needs a bit more room. When in doubt, give us your measurements and we'll recommend the model that fits.
Transport: the compact format often allows a "pick it up yourself" approach. The lighter models (E17, E26) load onto a sturdy trailer and tow behind a pickup, within the hitch capacity. For the E35 and E50, plan for a flatbed trailer rated for the weight. And if you'd rather not handle any of it, Benco delivers the mini excavator straight to your jobsite on the South Shore, usually within 24 hours of confirmation.
With or without an operator: rent without an operator if you're confident with the hydraulic controls, or add an experienced operator (through Location Benoit) for precise, fast work with no risk to your structures. Rentals are by the day, week or month depending on how long your project runs.
Need a bigger excavator for full-size foundation digging, civil engineering or a large jobsite? This page covers compact and residential work — see our excavator rental for full-size models.
Real rates — pulled live from our inventory
No “call for pricing”: these are the actual rates from our rental fleet, updated automatically. Google rating: 4.8 ★.
| Model | With operator ($/hr) | Without operator ($/day) | Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bobcat E26 | $130 | $405 | $1,270 |
| Bobcat E17 | $127 | $405 | $1,270 |
| Bobcat E35 | $133 | $485 | $1,460 |
| BOBCAT E50 | $138 | $520 | $1,560 |
Full rate card and cost calculator — estimate your project in 30 seconds, then send us the quote request online.
A mini excavator for your project this week?
Call or request a quote. Give us the width of your access, the digging depth and the duration: we'll recommend the mini excavator that fits, delivered within 24 hours on the South Shore.
(450) 658-1802 Get a quoteFrequently asked questions — mini excavator rental
What size of mini excavator should I choose?
The right choice comes down mainly to site access and how deep you need to dig. To get through a garden fence or work between two buildings, an ultra-compact mini excavator like the Bobcat E17 (barely a metre wide) slips through an opening of about 1 metre. For routine residential digging (shed footing, trench, drain), the E26 or E35 offer the best balance of power and compactness. The E50 handles more demanding work while staying transportable on a standard trailer. Give us the width of your access and the depth you're after — we'll recommend the model that fits without tearing everything apart.
Do I need a permit or an operator to rent a mini excavator?
No special driver's licence is required to operate a mini excavator on private property — that's one of the reasons it's so popular in residential work. You can rent it without an operator if you're comfortable with the hydraulic controls. If you'd rather have precise, fast work with no risk, rental with an operator (through Location Benoit) gives you an experienced driver who knows the machine and where to place the spoil. For a commercial or municipal jobsite, CNESST rules apply — just ask us.
Can I haul a mini excavator myself on a trailer?
Yes, that's one of the big advantages of the compact format. The lighter models (Bobcat E17, E26) load onto a sturdy car or ATV trailer and tow behind a half-ton pickup, within the hitch capacity. For the heavier models (E35, E50), plan for a flatbed trailer rated for the weight. If you'd rather not deal with it, Benco delivers the mini excavator straight to your South Shore jobsite, often within 24 hours.
What residential projects can I do with a mini excavator?
A mini excavator is the ideal tool for landscaping, digging a shed or patio footing, trenching (electrical, plumbing, gas), installing a French drain, prepping a base for a pool or spa, grading, stump removal and moving soil in tight spaces. Its narrow width lets it work in a fenced yard or between two houses where a full-size excavator would never fit.
How much does it cost to rent a mini excavator per day?
Rentals are by the day, week or month, and the rate varies with the model size, the duration and any added attachments (buckets of different widths, auger). Weekly rental works out proportionally cheaper than daily for a multi-day project. Hauling and delivery are calculated by your area on the South Shore. Give us the model you want and your dates — we confirm a quote within 24 hours.
See also & rental by region
Hub: Heavy machinery rental — Inventory: excavators without operator in stock — Related pages: Excavator rental, Forklift rental.
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