People normally think of excavator equipment as large pieces of equipment that are mostly used in construction and demolition. Because of this association, the average homeowner is unlikely to ever think about using one.

With mini excavators available in addition to the larger models, however, they can actually be very useful for ordinary people with small-scale projects. In particular, a mini excavator can make gardening projects a lot easier. If you're planning a garden revamp that includes any of the things on this list, it's well worth considering hiring a mini excavator to do the heavy work for you.

Decking

If you're planning on adding a deck to your garden, the ground needs to be prepared beforehand. It needs to be cleared of any plants and debris and should be levelled so there's a flat surface for the decking installation. A mini excavator can do most of this work for you, which certainly beats slaving away with a shovel and fork.

Removing a lawn

Sometimes, you might need to get rid of a patch of lawn for growing new plants or installing some other garden feature. Grass is notoriously difficult to get rid of by hand, with the dense roots being a real pain to shift, so it makes sense to use an excavator instead.

Land clearance

When you have a patch of land that's gone to waste and perhaps even has litter dumped on it, you can move it in record time using an excavator with the right attachments. It's particularly useful if you have heavy items that need to be moved, as you risk injury if you try to do it manually.

Tree stump removal

When trees are cut down, there's usually a stump left behind which can be unsightly or even hazardous. They eventually rot away, but it takes years. There are several ways to speed up the process and get rid of a tree stump, such as burning it or using a stump grinder. But with a mini excavator, you can do a thorough job fairly easily, getting rid of those deep roots along the way

Planting new trees

Of course, when you're getting rid of old trees, you might want to plant some new ones. Depending on the maturity of the trees, you'll possibly need to dig some fairly deep holes to achieve this. An excavator is a particularly good idea if you're planting several trees at once.

Digging a pool or pond

If you're planning on adding a pool or a pond to your garden, you're going to need to dig a big hole. And what easier way to do that than to use a machine? You'll be enjoying your new water-filled garden feature faster than you could have imagined.