Large Excavator Hire (13–30t+ Class)
At FESS Hire, we provide large excavator hire in the 13–30 tonne+ class for heavy-duty earthworks, infrastructure and industrial projects. This range is ideal when you need serious digging depth, reach and lifting capacity for bulk excavation, muckshifting, demolition support and major civils.
With over 80 years of combined experience and a UK-wide network, our engineer-led team will match a suitable 13–30t excavator to your job and coordinate delivery with your dumpers, dozers, rollers and other plant. Because we work with multiple trusted UK hire partners, exact makes and models may vary, but every machine will fall within the specification ranges below.
See the description below for more information on our large excavator hire services.
General Specifications
- Operating Weight:
Typically 13–15t for smaller large excavators, around 20–22t for mid-range machines, and approx. 29–30t+ at the upper end. - Max Digging Depth:
Roughly 4.8–6.1m on 13–15t machines, 5.5–6.7m on 20–22t units, and up to around 7.2m on 30t excavators, depending on boom/arm. - Max Reach at Ground Level:
Typically 8.6–9.2m for 13–15t, around 8.7–9.9m for 20–22t, and up to approx. 10.6–10.7m for 30t machines. - Machine Width:
Approx. 2.5–2.9m for 13–20t excavators and around 3.1–3.3m for 30t machines. - Machine Height:
Normally 2.8–3.2m to cab roof, depending on size and undercarriage. - Power Type:
Stage V diesel engines, typically in the 75–210kW range (100–280hp), depending on machine size. - Attachments:
Range of general-purpose and heavy-duty buckets as standard; breakers, pulverisers, grabs and other hydraulic tools available on request.
(Exact specifications and available models are confirmed at enquiry stage.)
How To Order:
You can easily start an order online through the enquiry form.
Alternatively, if you prefer, you can call our customer service team. Whichever way you choose, we will ensure a quick and efficient service to meet your project requirements.
Please note: We exclusively serve businesses, ensuring our solutions are tailored to the needs of professional users.
Key Features of Our Large Excavator Hire
Our 13–30t+ excavator range is selected for serious digging and lifting performance on demanding projects.
- High digging and lifting capacity
Large excavators provide significant breakout forces, deeper digging capability and higher lift capacities, ideal for bulk excavation, deep drainage, major foundations and heavy utilities. - Reach for bigger work areas
With ground-level reaches up to around 10–11m, these machines are well suited to muckshifting, loading wagons and working across wider dig areas. - Robust build for tough environments
Machines are designed for demanding jobs on construction, highways, quarrying, industrial and infrastructure sites, with heavy-duty undercarriages and booms. - Comfortable cabs for long shifts
Full-size cabs typically feature good visibility, climate control and modern control layouts, supporting productivity on longer shifts and in mixed weather. - Flexible sourcing near your project
We work with multiple hire partners across the UK to source suitable 13–30t excavators close to your site, while maintaining FESS standards for maintenance, documentation and support.
Safety Features
Safety is central to how we operate. Large excavators supplied through FESS Hire typically include:
- ROPS-certified cabs and robust operator protection.
- Excellent visibility with large glazed areas, mirrors and (on some models) cameras.
- Modern control and safety systems including travel alarms and interlocks (model dependent).
- Stable tracked undercarriages, with options for wider undercarriages or bogmaster-style setups in some weight classes for soft ground.
- Clearly marked daily check points and access for pre-use inspections and maintenance.
We can also signpost to operator training and familiarisation where required, particularly for sites with more stringent rules or lifting operations.
Operating Specifications
While exact figures vary by supplier and model, our 13–30t+ large excavator hire class is chosen around the following typical performance:
- Operating Weight: ~13–30t+
- Max Digging Depth: ~4.8–7.3m
- Max Reach at Ground Level: ~8.6–10.7m
- Max Dump Height: typically 6.6–7.2m on 13–22t machines and in the 7–8m+ range on some 30t models.
- Machine Width: ~2.5–3.3m
- Overall Height: ~2.8–3.2m
- Travel Speed: around 5–5.5km/h, depending on model
- Engine Output: approx. 75–210kW (100–280hp), depending on size and configuration
If you have specific requirements – such as a lift chart for lifting duties, long-reach boom, reduced tail swing or bogmaster set-up for soft ground – we’ll check these against the available machines when we quote.
Attachments & Options
To get more from your large excavator hire, we can usually support:
- Digging buckets – general-purpose and heavy-duty buckets for bulk excavation.
- Grading / ditching buckets – for profiling, benching and finishing works.
- Hydraulic breakers – for heavier concrete and rock breaking.
- Pulverisers and processors – for demolition and material downsizing (availability dependent).
- Selector grabs and clamshells – for handling materials and loading operations.
Attachment availability will depend on your region and partner fleet, so please mention any requirements at enquiry stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I choose a large excavator instead of a midi?
Choose a large excavator when you need deeper excavation, greater reach, higher breakout forces or heavier lifting capacity than a 5–10t machine can safely provide – for example, bulk earthworks, deeper manholes, heavy utilities, demolition support or large-scale muckshifting.
What access and working room do I need for a 13–30t excavator?
As a guide, you’ll usually need between 2.5m and 3.3m clear width, around 3.0m working height and sufficient space for slewing and safe exclusion zones around the machine. We’ll confirm this once we know which size bracket (13, 20 or 30t) is appropriate.
Can these machines be used for lifting operations?
Yes – many large excavators are used for controlled lifting duties, provided they are operated within their rated lift charts and in line with site lifting plans and regulations. Please tell us if lifting is part of the scope so we can advise accordingly.
Do you supply buckets as standard?
Yes. Our large excavator hires normally include a suitable digging bucket or set of buckets, with grading buckets available where required. We’ll confirm the exact configuration when we quote.
Can I hire heavy attachments like breakers or grabs with the machine?
In many locations we can supply heavy-duty breakers, grabs, pulverisers and other hydraulic attachments for this class. Let us know what you’re breaking or handling, and we’ll check compatibility and availability.
Do you hire to domestic customers?
FESS Hire is set up primarily for trade and commercial customers, including contractors, developers, infrastructure providers and industrial clients. If you’re unsure whether your organisation is eligible, our team can advise.
Contact Us Today
Experience the FESS Hire difference. Contact us today to discuss your large excavator hire (13–30t+) requirements and discover how we can support your next project. Call us or email us – we’re ready to help you.