A Guide To Budgeting Fuel Costs For Small Excavators
Budgeting your fuel costs is an essential part of any successful project. Especially when hiring small excavating equipment. Whether you are a landscaper, operations manager or business owner, understanding how much fuel your rental equipment will use can help you plan and budget effectively. In this guide to budgeting fuel costs for small excavators, we will break down the different fuel consumption rates for a range of mini diggers, discuss factors that affect fuel efficiency, and discuss some important considerations to make when hiring.
So, if you are ready, let’s take a deep dive into it!
What Is The Most Common Type Of Fuel Used In Small Excavators?
While the entire landscape of plant machinery fuel continues to develop, diesel is still the most common fuel found in rental machinery in the UK. Specifically White Diesel. And white diesel only. In April 2022 the government removed the use of rebated, or red diesel to be used in the construction industry. This new scheme was implemented to promote energy efficiency and cleaner alternative fuels.
Nevertheless, with the continuous development of electric and now hydrogen engines being manufactured, we are likely to see a big shift from major manufacturers by the end of the decade. With that in mind, let’s delve into the factors that increase and decrease fuel consumption.
Factors That Affect Fuel Consumption In Small Excavators
To get a good understanding of how to manage and optimise fuel consumption, you should be aware of the following factors:
Equipment
The make, model, engine and age of equipment all play massive factors in fuel use on small excavators. Opting for newer machinery guarantees better fuel efficiency.
Application
What tasks you plan to complete with the equipment will also play a huge part. Heavy digging and lifting will require more fuel compared to grading and backfilling.
Operator Skill
The skill of the operator also plays a big role in fuel efficiency. More experienced operators can reduce idling and optimise movements and cycles.
Terrain
The ground that you are working on plays a huge part in small excavator fuel consumption. Working on soft, uneven or hilly terrains increases resistance, thus leading to more power being required. More power equals more fuel spent.
Weather Conditions
Cold weather can affect fuel economy, which is important to account for during the winter months. On the other hand, hotter weather can increase cooling demands.
Maintenance Of Equipment
How regularly your equipment is maintained will influence its operation. This comes down to your supplier’s levels of detail provided during their machine inspections.
With all these factors in mind, let’s help you understand the different fuel costs for various-sized small excavators.
Average Fuel Cost For Small Excavators
Fuel costs will fluctuate depending on equipment condition and market fuel prices.
Micro Digger 0.8-1T (1-2 L per hour) with average UK white diesel price (Feb 2025) £1.46 per litre, expect operating costs between £1.46 and £2.92 per hour.
Mini Digger (3-4 L per hour) Fuel cost range between £4.38-5.84 per hour.
3 Tonne Digger (4- 5 L per hour) Expect running costs of £5.84-£7.30 per hour.
Keeping a close eye on market fuel prices can play a major factor in overall fuel spend. You should always budget these additional costs for your projects.
Micro Digger (0.8-1T) Fuel Consumption
Micro diggers are designed for gardens, tight access projects and indoor work. On average these machines should consume between 1 and 2 litres of diesel per hour. This makes them the most fuel-efficient machine of all the small excavators.
Mini Digger (1.5T) Fuel Consumption
1.5T mini diggers are one of the most popular hired machines on the market. These small, versatile machines can be used for a range of tasks such as landscaping, building and a wide range of other construction activities. On average you should expect to use 3.5 litres of diesel per hour in these machines.
3 Tonne Mini Digger Fuel Consumption
The largest in the mini digger category is the 3T excavator. These machines offer a huge step up in power, strength and productivity, suitable for more demanding digging and lifting tasks. On average you should expect to use 4.5L of diesel per hour, depending on work requirements.
Tips To Reduce Fuel Costs When Operating Small Excavators
Reducing your fuel costs on small excavators can dramatically save you money in the long run. Here are some examples of methods you can implement to get started:
Reduce Idle Time
Reducing idle by turning the excavator off when not being used. Commonly, many operators leave the equipment running even when not in use.
Correct Machine Size
Selecting the correct machine for the task at hand is essential. Avoid overworking a small machine when you can utilise faster, larger cycles with a bigger excavator.
Throttle Control
Optimise the machine’s throttle speed to suit your task. Running the machine at maximum RPM continuously, unnecessarily increases fuel spend.
Regular Maintenance
Keep all fluids, filters and levels well maintained to optimise machine performance. Reputable rental suppliers will provide this service for you.
Planning
Great planning can help you minimise movements when using a small excavator on site. Ideally, the more you can do from one position, the less fuel you will spend.
Comparing Fuel Efficiency Across Excavator Brands
It is important to note that not all excavator brands have the same fuel economy. If you are serious about reducing your fuel spend on small excavators, then you should be aiming to hire equipment with a stage V engine fitted. Some major manufacturers also offer features such as auto idle and work modes to help boost performance.
When selecting a small excavator to hire, checking the fuel efficiency of each machine can play huge dividends in the long run. If you are ever unsure, always ask your supplier.
Do Rental Small Diggers Come Full Of Fuel?
Reputable suppliers like WHC Hire Services supply all small excavators with a tank full of fuel upon collection and delivery. This is to be replenished before return to avoid any additional charges. We highly recommend that you always check the fuel levels before starting work to avoid uninterrupted operation.
What Happens If You Refill A Small Excavator With The Wrong Fuel?
If you refill a small excavator with the incorrect fuel, then you should contact your hire supplier immediately. Incorrect fuel can damage the internal components of the equipment, however providing you identify this error early enough, the problem is easily rectified. Note, that this is a chargeable offence.
While many agricultural and forestry businesses still can use rebated fuel under current UK legislation, you should always adhere to the guidelines set out by your supplier. The use of rebated fuel in hire machinery is a chargeable offence. Expect to be charged for tank drainage and replacement, along with new filters and labour.
How Long Will A Tank Last On Small Excavators?
Fuel tank capacity does differ between manufacturers, nevertheless, here is an estimate of how long a tank will last in various excavator sizes:
Micro Digger – Fuel Tank Capacity (12L) = 6-12 hours
Mini Digger – Fuel Tank Capacity (21L) = 5.25-7 hours
3 Tonne Digger- Fuel Tank Capacity (48L) = 9.6 -12 hours
For the most efficient results, you should always refill your machinery after every use. This saves time when coming to next use the equipment, while preventing the tanks from freezing in colder temperatures.
Conclusion
Understanding the fuel consumption rates of small excavators helps budget and streamline projects to maximise profit and productivity. By choosing the correct small excavator for the job, adopting best operating practices, leveraging state-of-the-art machinery and budgeting accordingly, you can keep fuel costs under control.
If you are interested in boosting your productivity while effectively managing your fuel costs with state-of-the-art hire equipment, browse our range of mini diggers available at WHC Hire Services. Alternatively, get in touch with your local depot to book your equipment today.