A mini excavator is the better rental when the job is mostly digging, especially in tight spaces, along walls or in backyards with narrow gates. A backhoe is the better rental when the job mixes digging with loading, moving and backfilling material across a larger, open site. If you’d otherwise need a second machine just to move dirt around, a backhoe often covers both jobs.
TRS Equipment Rental has rented digging equipment to Tucson contractors and homeowners since 1987. Our backhoe rental is the Kubota L47, and our mini excavator lineup includes the Caterpillar 301.7D, Yanmar ViO17, Yanmar ViO35 and Cat 305 CR.
What is the difference between a backhoe and a mini excavator?
A backhoe is a tractor with a loader bucket on the front and a digging arm on the back. The operator faces forward to drive and run the loader, then turns the seat around to dig. Stabilizer legs drop down to steady the machine while the rear arm works.
A mini excavator sits on tracks, and the whole upper body, including the cab and arm, rotates a full 360 degrees. It can dig, swing and dump in any direction without repositioning, and a small dozer blade on the front helps with backfilling and light grading.
When should you rent a mini excavator?
Rent a mini excavator when access is tight or the work needs precision. Common jobs include utility and irrigation trenches, footings for walls and patio covers, drainage work, planting pits and digging close to a house, wall or fence.
Size options matter here. The Caterpillar 301.7D and Yanmar ViO17 are both 39 inches wide with a 7-foot dig depth and weigh about 4,000 pounds, so they fit through many backyard gates and tow easily. The Yanmar ViO35 is 69 inches wide, weighs about 8,000 pounds and digs about 10 feet. It also has a zero tail swing design, which means the back of the machine stays within its tracks as it rotates, a real advantage when you’re working next to a wall.
Tracks spread the machine’s weight more than wheels do, which helps on soft ground. They can still mark turf and pavers, so lay plywood or mats over surfaces you want to protect.
When should you rent a backhoe?
Rent a backhoe when you need to dig and then do something with the dirt. The front loader moves spoil piles, loads dump trailers, backfills trenches and grades the area afterward, all without bringing in a skid steer.
The Kubota L47 weighs about 8,000 pounds and has a 47.1-horsepower engine, a 72-inch front loader bucket and a dig depth of about 10 feet. Rear buckets come in 12-, 18- and 24-inch widths. It shines on rural properties, open lots, long driveways and jobs where material has to move a fair distance, since it drives on wheels faster than a tracked machine travels.
Which one digs deeper?
At the top end, they’re close. The L47 and the ViO35 both dig about 10 feet. The smaller 301.7D and ViO17 reach 7 feet, which is plenty for most residential trenches, footings and planting. Since dig depth is similar, the decision usually comes down to access and whether you need the loader.
How do a backhoe and a mini excavator compare?
| Feature | Mini excavator | Backhoe (Kubota L47) |
| Main strength | Precise digging in tight spaces | Digging plus loading and backfilling |
| Rotation | 360 degrees | Rear arm swings side to side |
| Travel | Tracks | Wheels |
| Dig depth at TRS | 7 to about 10 feet | About 10 feet |
| Weight at TRS | About 4,000 to 8,000+ lbs | About 8,000 lbs |
| Front attachment | Small dozer blade | 72-inch loader bucket |
| Best site | Backyards, narrow access, near structures | Open lots, rural property, larger sites |
Which machine is better for common jobs?
| Project | Better rental |
| Irrigation trench in a fenced backyard | Mini excavator |
| Footings next to a house | Mini excavator |
| Septic or utility trench on a rural lot | Backhoe |
| Digging and loading dirt into a dump trailer | Backhoe |
| Planting pits in caliche | Mini excavator |
| Clearing and leveling a large area | Backhoe |
| Digging near walls or fences | Mini excavator with zero tail swing |
Hitting caliche? Our guide on digging through caliche in Tucson covers which machines and attachments work best.
What do you need to transport a backhoe or mini excavator?
Towing depends on the machine. The L47 requires at least a 3/4-ton truck with electric brakes. The 4,000-pound mini excavators are easier to tow, while the ViO35 weighs about the same as the backhoe. If you don’t have the right truck and trailer setup, TRS delivers throughout Tucson and rural Southern Arizona.
Should you rent one machine or two?
It depends on how much dirt you’re moving. A mini excavator can load a dump trailer, but it’s slower than a loader. If your project involves a lot of material handling, pairing a mini excavator with a skid steer can be efficient. A backhoe combines both in one machine, so you only pay for one rental and one operator. Our post on choosing a skid steer or excavator goes deeper on that pairing.
What safety steps should you take before digging?
Contact Arizona 811 at least two working days before you dig to have underground utilities marked. Walk the site, look for overhead lines and keep everyone clear of the machine’s swing radius. Trenches 5 feet deep or more need a protective system under OSHA rules unless they’re in stable rock.
TRS provides operator training at pickup or delivery. Ask questions about the controls, especially on a backhoe, where switching between the loader and the rear arm takes a little practice. Our jobsite safety guide covers more of the basics.
How do you rent a backhoe or mini excavator from TRS?
Call 520-744-6333 or request a quote online. Tell the team what you’re digging, how much material needs to move and what access looks like, and they’ll recommend the right machine. TRS has no deposit and no reservation fees, and a Friday afternoon pickup returned Monday morning counts as a one-day charge.
TRS Equipment Rental is at 7255 N. Camino de Oeste near Ina Road and I-10, open Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 3:00 PM. You can also check availability through the online rental portal, or read our guide to excavator rental costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a backhoe harder to operate than a mini excavator?
A backhoe takes a bit more getting used to because you switch between the front loader and the rear digging arm, and the seat turns around between them. Many first-time renters find a mini excavator’s controls easier to learn.
Will a backhoe fit in my backyard?
Often not. A backhoe is much larger than a 39-inch mini excavator and needs room to set its stabilizers. For fenced backyards with standard gates, a compact mini excavator is usually the better fit.
Which is better for trenching?
For residential trenches, a mini excavator gives you more precision and fits tighter spaces. On a large open lot with a long trench and lots of backfill, a backhoe can be faster overall.
Can a mini excavator load a dump trailer?
Yes, but it’s slower than a loader. For small amounts of material, a mini excavator works fine. For large volumes, a backhoe or skid steer saves time.
How deep can a TRS backhoe dig?
The Kubota L47 backhoe digs about 10 feet deep, with rear bucket widths of 12, 18 or 24 inches.
