Septic installs and stump removal are the two most common reasons Keystone Heights property owners call us for a mini excavator. We carry three size classes, 1.7-ton, 3.5-ton, and 5.0-ton, so the machine you get is sized to the work you’re actually doing, not just what’s available on the lot.
Or call now: (904) 452-0888
Three size classes: matched to your job
1.7-ton: Yanmar ViO17
The smallest and most maneuverable excavator we carry. Retractable tracks let it narrow down to fit through gates and tight access points. Equipped with a 12-inch bucket, push blade, and swing boom. This machine works well for small drainage runs, shallow trenching, and light digging on residential lots where space is limited and the work is relatively shallow.
Best for: short drainage channels, small utility trenches, light landscaping excavation.
3.5-ton: Yanmar ViO35 and John Deere 35G
This is the machine we recommend most often for Keystone Heights projects. It has enough digging power to handle septic tank and drain field excavation, drainage ditches, and root removal on lots with moderate tree cover, and it’s still compact enough to work on standard residential lots without tearing up everything around the dig.
Available with 12-inch, 18-inch, and 24-inch buckets. Both machines come with hydraulic thumbs for grabbing roots, stumps, and debris, which matters a lot when you’re pulling material out of the ground, not just digging dirt. Push blade and swing boom included.
The 3.5-ton is the most versatile mini excavator in our fleet. If you’re unsure which size you need, this is almost always the right starting point.
Best for: septic system installation and repair, drainage ditches, root removal on trees up to about 5–6 inch diameter, utility trenching, foundation prep.
5.0-ton: John Deere 50G and Hitachi ZX50
When the 3.5-ton isn’t enough, especially when you’re dealing with heavy root density or stumps in the 6 to 10-inch diameter range, the 5.0-ton has the breakout force and reach to handle it. Equipped with a 24-inch tooth bucket and a 36-inch smooth bucket, hydraulic thumb, and push blade.
The 50 is generally oversized for standard septic work. Where it earns its place is on lots with mature oak or pine root systems that a 3.5-ton would fight through slowly. If your project involves clearing and removing large stumps or ripping out root balls before grading, this is the machine that does it quickly.
Best for: stump and root removal on trees 6–10 inches in diameter, heavy clearing excavation, pond bank work, deep drainage on properties with dense root systems.
How we help you pick the right size
When you call about a mini excavator, we don’t just ask which size you want, we ask what you’re doing with it. The answers to a few questions determine which machine actually fits:
What’s the project? A septic install on a cleared lot is a different machine than ripping oak stumps out of a wooded parcel. The scope of the work drives the recommendation more than the property size does.
What’s in the ground? If you’re digging in clean sand with no roots, the 3.5-ton handles nearly everything. If you’re dealing with mature hardwood root systems or stumps over 5–6 inches, we’ll steer you toward the 5.0-ton because the 3.5 will slow down and cost you time.
What’s the access like? If you’re working through a narrow gate, between structures, or on a lot where the machine needs to fit into tight spots, the 1.7-ton or the 3.5-ton’s compact footprint matters more than raw digging power.
What’s your experience level? If you’ve never operated a mini excavator, we walk you through it at delivery, controls, swing clearance, bucket curl, and how to work safely around underground utilities. The 3.5-ton is the most forgiving machine for newer operators while still being productive.
The mistake we see most often is someone choosing a smaller machine based on price alone. A 1.7-ton is less per day, but if the job actually needs a 3.5-ton, you’ll spend twice as long fighting the work, and the extra rental time costs more than the price difference between machines. We’d rather match you to the right size upfront so the job goes smoothly.
Pickup, delivery, and rental periods
Pickup from our yard – If you have a truck and trailer rated for the weight, you can pick up from our Starke location at 2000 N Temple Ave. We walk you through the machine before you load.
Delivery to Keystone Heights – We deliver using a pickup truck and tilt-bed trailer. Delivery to Keystone Heights is an additional charge, call for current delivery pricing to your specific property.
Trailer rental – If you have the tow vehicle but need a trailer, we offer trailers at a discounted rate when bundled with a mini excavator rental.
Rental periods – We offer half-day, daily, and weekly rentals, plus a 4-for-2 option (four days for the price of two) that works well for weekend projects that run into the following week. Call or fill out the form below for current pricing on the size you need.
Common mini excavator projects in Keystone Heights
Septic system installation – Keystone Heights properties run on well and septic. Installing a new system means excavating for the tank, digging the drain field trenches, and connecting to the structure, all work the 3.5-ton handles cleanly. The hydraulic thumb is useful for setting the tank itself if you’re working without a separate crane.
Stump and root removal after clearing – Once a lot is cleared of timber, the stumps and root systems left behind need to come out before you can grade, build, or establish a yard. The 3.5-ton handles stumps up to about 5–6 inches in diameter. For larger oaks and pines in the 6-to-10-inch range, the 5.0-ton rips them out faster and without stalling.
Drainage work on lake-area properties – Properties near Lake Geneva, Santa Fe, or Brooklyn Lake can have water table issues, especially during the wet season. A mini excavator cuts drainage channels and swales cleanly without tearing up the surrounding yard the way larger equipment would.
Utility trenching – Running water lines, electrical conduit, or irrigation on rural properties that don’t have utilities stubbed in. The 12-inch bucket on either the 3.5-ton or 1.7-ton cuts a narrow, clean trench.
Foundation prep for outbuildings – Sheds, barns, workshops, and detached garages need a level foundation pad. A mini excavator grades and compacts the base area on lots where a full-size machine would be overkill.
If you plan to burn debris on-site: Proof of insurance coverage is required before the rental can proceed. Let us know during your initial call if burning is part of the project so we can address it upfront.
Why rent from T.E.S.
Every call goes to Zeb, the owner. No sales desk, no dispatch queue. You describe the project, we recommend the machine, and equipment arrives inspected, fueled, and ready to dig. If something comes up mid-rental, you’re calling the same person who set it up.
Our machines are maintained between every rental. Hydraulic thumbs, push blades, and buckets are included, not add-on charges.
“We had a great experience with this company! They made the whole process smooth, efficient, and stress-free. They showed up on time, worked hard, and paid attention to the details.”
Melanie C., Keystone Heights
Get a quote for your Keystone Heights project
Call us or fill out the form with your project details, what you’re digging, where the property is, and when you want to start. We’ll respond the same business day with the right machine recommendation and current pricing.
Or call now: (904) 452-0888
T.E.S. Rentals | 2000 N Temple Ave, Starke, FL 32091