Digging Smart in Central NH: Choosing the Right Excavator Rental Size with NorthPoint Equipment Rentals

Embarking on an excavation project in Central New Hampshire, whether it's digging a foundation for a new home near Lake Winnipesaukee, installing a crucial septic system in the Lakes Region, or tackling a landscaping overhaul in Ashland, presents a common initial challenge: selecting the right equipment. Choosing the correctly sized excavator is paramount, as the wrong choice can lead to significant setbacks.   

Opting for an excavator that is too small for the task often results in inefficiency, extending project timelines and potentially preventing completion if the machine lacks the necessary digging depth or lifting power. Conversely, selecting an excavator that is too large can lead to budget overruns due to higher rental fees and fuel consumption. Oversized equipment can also create site access problems, cause unnecessary ground disturbance on finished landscapes or constrained properties common in the area, and pose significant transportation challenges. Making the optimal choice from the outset is therefore not just about capability, but also about cost-effectiveness and minimizing site impact. Renting the appropriate size avoids wasted time with underpowered equipment or excessive costs associated with oversized machinery, ensuring better overall project value.   

For contractors and homeowners in Central New Hampshire, NorthPoint Equipment Rentals, conveniently located at 130 Main St, Ashland, NH 03217, stands as the local expert resource. As a family-owned business serving the Ashland, Plymouth, and surrounding Lakes Region areas, NorthPoint is committed to providing reliable, contractor-grade equipment coupled with dependable hometown service. They offer a comprehensive range of construction equipment, including various excavator sizes suitable for the diverse projects undertaken in the region. This guide, presented by NorthPoint Equipment Rentals, aims to clarify the process of selecting the perfect excavator size for specific needs in Central New Hampshire. For immediate assistance, the NorthPoint team can be reached at 603-375-4161.   

Meet NorthPoint's Excavator Fleet: Options for Every Job

NorthPoint Equipment Rentals provides access to a robust inventory of construction equipment, featuring both mini and full-size excavators from industry-leading brands such as Kubota and Caterpillar. Understanding the different size classes is the first step in making an informed rental decision. Generally, excavators are categorized by operating weight:   

• Mini/Compact Excavators: Typically weighing under 6 to 10 tons (up to ~22,000 lbs), these machines are designed for maneuverability in tight spaces and minimizing ground impact.   
• Standard/Mid-Size Excavators: Ranging from approximately 10 to 45 tons (~22,000 lbs to 99,000 lbs), these are versatile workhorses for general construction, offering a balance of power and reach.   
• Large Excavators: Weighing over 45 tons (>99,000 lbs), these machines provide maximum power, digging depth, and reach for heavy-duty construction, demolition, and large-scale earthmoving projects.   

While NorthPoint offers a wide selection, here are a few examples from their fleet, based on available information, illustrating the different capabilities:

• Kubota U55: This model falls into the Compact/Mini excavator category, typically operating around 5.5 to 6 tons (approx. 11,800 - 13,200 lbs). Its defining feature is a "tight tail swing" or "zero tail swing" design, allowing it to rotate with minimal overhang beyond its tracks. This makes it exceptionally versatile and maneuverable, ideal for construction and landscaping tasks in confined areas where precision is key. The starting rental rate is from $450.00 per day.   
• Kubota KX 80: Positioned as a Mid-Size excavator, this machine operates in the 8.3-ton class (approx. 18,200 - 19,500 lbs). It delivers significantly more digging force than the U55, making it suitable for more demanding excavation work. Its tail swing radius is around 4.8 to 4.9 feet, likely a conventional or tight swing design, requiring more operating clearance than the U55 but considerably less than a large machine. The starting rental rate is from $575.00 per day.   
• Caterpillar 336EL: Representing the Large excavator class, the 336EL has an operating weight around 36 to 40 tons (approx. 81,100 lbs). This machine is built for major projects requiring substantial power, extensive digging depth (over 26 feet), and significant reach (over 38 feet). It features a conventional tail swing with a radius of approximately 11.5 to 12 feet, necessitating ample clear space for safe operation. The starting rental rate is from $1,500.00 per day.   

To aid in comparison, consider this overview of the example models:

NorthPoint Excavator Examples at a Glance

Model Size Class Operating Weight (approx.) Max Dig Depth (approx.) Max Reach @ Ground (approx.) Tail Swing Type Starting Daily Rate

• Kubota U55 Compact/Mini 5.5-6 tons (11.8k-13.2k lbs) ~12 ft ~20 ft Tight / Zero from $450.00
• Kubota KX 80 Mid-Size ~8.3 tons (18.2k-19.5k lbs) ~15 ft ~24 ft Conventional/Tight from $575.00
• Caterpillar 336EL Large 36-40 tons (~81.1k lbs) ~26+ ft ~38+ ft Conventional from $1,500.00

Note: Specifications are approximate and can vary based on exact model configuration. Contact NorthPoint for precise details.

It's important to remember that NorthPoint Equipment Rentals boasts over 250 rental items in their inventory. The models highlighted here are examples, and the best way to determine the full range of available excavators and their current availability is to contact the NorthPoint team directly at 603-375-4161. Their knowledgeable staff can guide customers to the perfect machine for their project needs.   

Decoding the Specs: What Matters Most?

Understanding the key specifications listed for excavators is crucial for matching the machine to the job requirements. While the numbers provide data, knowing their practical implications allows for a more informed rental decision.

Operating Weight / Tonnage Class: This specification directly relates to several critical factors: stability, lifting capacity, ground pressure, and transport requirements. Heavier machines, like the Caterpillar 336EL, generally offer greater stability and can lift heavier loads but exert higher ground pressure, potentially damaging lawns or sensitive surfaces. They also necessitate more robust transportation methods. Lighter machines, such as the Kubota U55, are easier to transport, gentler on the ground, but have lower lifting limits. The weight dictates the machine's overall power and presence on the site.   

Maximum Digging Depth: This is a straightforward but vital spec indicating how far below ground level the excavator's bucket can reach. It's essential for tasks like digging foundations, installing septic systems (which often require depths exceeding 8 feet in NH), or trenching for utilities. A common recommendation is to select a machine with a maximum digging depth slightly exceeding the project's deepest requirement to ensure comfortable and efficient operation. Comparing the examples: the U55 reaches around 12 feet, the KX 80 around 15 feet, and the 336EL surpasses 26 feet.   

Maximum Reach (at Ground Level): This measures the maximum horizontal distance the excavator arm can extend at ground level. Greater reach allows digging over a wider area without repositioning the machine, which improves efficiency. It's also important for loading material into trucks (alongside adequate dump height ) or reaching over obstacles common on Central NH properties. The U55 offers approximately 20 feet of reach, the KX 80 around 24 feet, and the 336EL extends over 38 feet.   

Tail Swing (Zero vs. Minimal/Tight vs. Conventional): Tail swing describes how much the excavator's main body (housing) extends beyond the width of its tracks during rotation. This specification involves significant trade-offs:   

Zero or Minimal/Tight Swing (e.g., Kubota U55): These designs are optimal for working in confined spaces, close to buildings, walls, trees, or along roadsides. The minimal overhang significantly reduces the risk of accidentally striking objects, enhancing safety and preventing damage. The trade-off can sometimes be slightly reduced lifting capacity or stability compared to a conventional swing machine of the same weight class, particularly when lifting over the side.   

Conventional Swing (e.g., Caterpillar 336EL, likely Kubota KX 80): This configuration provides the maximum stability and lifting capacity for the machine's size, as the counterweight extends further back. However, it requires substantial clear space around the excavator for safe rotation and is best suited for open job sites or tasks prioritizing heavy lifting over tight-space maneuverability.   

Bucket Sizes/Attachments: The versatility of an excavator is greatly enhanced by its ability to use different buckets and attachments. NorthPoint Equipment Rentals offers various options, including different bucket sizes (like 12" or tilt buckets for the U48/U55 ) and attachments compatible with models like the 336EL (buckets, hammers, thumbs ). Other potential attachments include grapples for land clearing or augers for post holes. It is crucial for renters to discuss their specific attachment needs (e.g., a hydraulic hammer for dealing with New Hampshire ledge) with the NorthPoint team when reserving their excavator to ensure compatibility and availability.   

Understanding these specifications and their associated trade-offs allows renters to prioritize based on their project's unique demands – choosing maneuverability in tight spaces versus maximum lifting power in open areas, for example.

Choosing Your Machine: Key Factors to Consider

With a grasp of what the specifications mean, the next step is to systematically evaluate project needs against excavator capabilities. Asking the following questions before contacting NorthPoint Rentals at 603-375-4161 can help streamline the selection process:

What is the Project Scope?

Primary Task: Define the main objective. Is it deep digging for a foundation, precise trenching for utilities, lifting heavy septic tanks or granite boulders, grading a driveway, or demolition work?. The primary function dictates the most critical performance specs.   

Material Volume: Estimate the amount of material to be moved. Larger volumes necessitate higher productivity, favoring larger buckets and machines like the KX 80 or 336EL.   

Attachments Required: Identify any specialized tools needed, such as a hydraulic hammer for rock or ledge, a grapple for clearing brush, specific bucket widths, or a thumb for handling objects. Confirm NorthPoint has the required compatible attachments.   

What are the Site Conditions?

Access: Determine if the chosen excavator can physically reach the work area. Measure gates, pathways, and consider overhead obstructions. Compact models like the Kubota U55 offer advantages for restricted access.   

Working Space: Evaluate the available room for operation. Tight quarters near buildings or on small lots demand minimal or zero tail swing models (like the U55) to prevent collisions. Open sites allow for the greater stability of conventional swing machines (like the 336EL or potentially the KX 80).   

Ground Conditions: Assess the terrain. Soft, loamy soil might require a lighter machine (U55) or one with wider tracks to minimize ground pressure and prevent sinking. The rocky, ledgy ground common in Central NH may necessitate a machine with higher breakout force or a hydraulic hammer attachment. Working on pavement requires careful operation, possibly favoring wheeled models if available, or careful use of tracked machines.   

What are the Performance Needs?

Digging Depth & Reach: Reconfirm the maximum depth and reach required by the project plan and select a machine whose specifications comfortably exceed these needs. Renting a machine that falls short is a common and costly mistake.   

Lifting Capacity: Identify the heaviest objects that need lifting (e.g., septic tanks, large rocks, pipes, stumps). Consult NorthPoint or the machine's lift chart, considering that capacity varies depending on whether lifting over the front or side, and is influenced by tail swing configuration. Larger excavators like the KX 80 and especially the 336EL offer significantly higher lift capacities.   

How will the Excavator be Transported?

Logistics: Consider how the excavator will reach the job site. Renters must ensure their own truck and trailer combination can safely and legally handle the operating weight of the chosen excavator, particularly for mid-size (KX 80) and large (336EL) machines. Mini excavators like the U55 are considerably easier to transport.   

NorthPoint's Delivery Service: A significant advantage offered by NorthPoint Equipment Rentals is Free Local Delivery. This service can eliminate the complexities and potential costs of self-transport, especially for larger equipment. Renters are encouraged to inquire about delivery options and service areas when booking their rental by calling 603-375-4161.   

What is the Budget?

Rental Rates: Acknowledge that daily, weekly, and monthly rental rates increase with excavator size and capability. Refer back to the example rates provided earlier.   

Overall Cost-Effectiveness: Emphasize that the cheapest daily rate isn't always the most economical choice. Renting the right-sized machine, even if slightly more expensive per day, often leads to lower overall project costs by maximizing efficiency and minimizing rental duration and fuel consumption.   

NorthPoint Programs: NorthPoint offers flexible rental periods (daily, weekly, monthly) to match project timelines and provides a NorthPoint Loyalty Program, which can offer savings for repeat customers.   

By carefully considering these five factors, renters can have a productive conversation with the NorthPoint team to confidently select the most appropriate and cost-effective excavator for their Central New Hampshire project.

Local Jobs, Local Solutions: Excavator Recommendations for Central NH Projects

Applying this knowledge to common projects encountered in Ashland, Plymouth, and the surrounding Lakes Region helps illustrate the selection process. Here are some typical scenarios and potential excavator choices from NorthPoint Equipment Rentals:

Small Landscaping & Tight Access Jobs:

Examples: Projects like planting mature trees, installing irrigation or utility lines in established yards, preparing patio bases near structures or sensitive shorelines like Squam Lake , or working between buildings.   

Typical Challenges: Limited maneuvering space, the need to minimize disturbance to existing lawns or hardscaping, potential unmarked underground utilities.   

Potential Recommendation: Kubota U55. Its compact dimensions and tight/zero tail swing design are ideal for navigating these confined areas safely and efficiently. The lighter operating weight exerts less pressure on delicate surfaces.   

Foundation Digging & Septic Systems:

Examples: Excavating for new home foundations, garage pads, or additions; installing new or replacement septic systems (a frequent necessity in rural and lakefront NH properties); digging longer/deeper utility trenches.   

Typical Challenges: Achieving sufficient digging depth (often 8-12 feet or more), encountering rocky soil or ledge common in NH, needing the capacity to lift and place heavy components like concrete septic tanks, handling a moderate volume of excavated material.   

Potential Recommendation: Kubota KX 80. This mid-size machine offers a solid balance of digging power, depth (approx. 15 feet), and reach (approx. 24 feet) for most residential and small commercial foundation or septic projects. It provides more capability for heavier digging and lifting than the U55. While its tail swing requires more clearance than the U55, it is significantly less than that of a large excavator.   

Large Site Work & Demolition:

Examples: Major commercial or residential development site preparation, clearing large tracts of land , extensive earthmoving operations, building demolition projects, handling very large boulders or stumps.   

Typical Challenges: Need to move large volumes of material efficiently, require significant digging depth and reach, involve heavy lifting, generally occur in open areas with fewer space constraints.

Potential Recommendation: Caterpillar 336EL. For the largest and most demanding jobs, this large excavator delivers maximum power, depth (over 26 feet ), reach (over 38 feet ), and lifting capacity. Its conventional tail swing requires ample operating room, making it suitable for large-scale projects where space permits.   

Important Note: These recommendations are general guidelines. The optimal excavator choice always depends on the unique details, constraints, and requirements of each specific project and job site. Consulting with the experienced team at NorthPoint Equipment Rentals is the best way to ensure the selected machine is a perfect match.

Your Project Partner in Ashland: Contact NorthPoint Today

Choosing the right size excavator is a critical decision that impacts project safety, efficiency, and budget. By understanding the key specifications, evaluating site conditions and project scope, and considering factors like transportation and budget, renters can approach the selection process with confidence.

NorthPoint Equipment Rentals, conveniently located in downtown Ashland at 130 Main Street, Ashland, NH 03217, is dedicated to being a reliable partner for contractors and homeowners throughout Central New Hampshire. As a local, family-owned business, they pride themselves on their knowledgeable team – praised by customers for being helpful and ensuring clients have everything needed for their projects. With over 250 items in their inventory, flexible rental periods (daily, weekly, monthly), free local delivery, and a commitment to outstanding customer service evident in positive reviews, NorthPoint aims to make equipment rental a seamless experience.   

Don't leave your equipment choice to guesswork. The NorthPoint Equipment Rentals team invites customers to leverage their expertise. Call them today at 603-375-4161, email info@northpointrentals.com, or visit their shop at 130 Main Street, Ashland, NH 03217 to discuss specific project needs. They are ready to help find the perfect machine to get the job done right, reinforcing their role as a trusted resource proudly serving the Central New Hampshire community. NorthPoint Equipment Rentals is open Mon - Fri: 7:30 am to 5:00 pm, and Saturday: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.