Twizel Hire Mini Excavators

Please review this page before operating our Yanmar viO17 1.7 tonne diggers.

Attaching the trailer to your vehicle

The Lochiel digger trailers are fitted with CM Trailer Parts' unique Multifit Couplings that allow connection to both a 17/8" & 50mm tow balls. They are not your usual coupling so please review the sheet in the digger's toolbox or view this video.

Unloading from the trailer

A big thank you to Fleet Review Services down in Dunedin for making this helpful video.

Fill with diesel before returning

Diggers will be full of diesel before leaving the yard. Please fill up at the pump before returning so it's full for the next person.

Occasinally someone forgets, so if the digger is not full before leaving, please let us know on 027 455 0514 and we will discount you that extra amount.

Note: Please try not to forget. There is an extra refuelling cost if we refuel the digger, and there often isn't much time to do so between hires as no-one is manning the yard during the day.

Trailer tie downs

Please take note of the following photos for how to properly secure the digger and buckets while in transit.

Main things to avoid:

  • Strops going over hydraulics hoses, as this can damage the hydraulics.
  • Strops going around the center pivot. This covers them in grease. Please avoid this.

The Toolbox

Inside the toolbox you'll find:

  • The digger key. If not there check that the last person hasn't left it in the ignition.
  • Tools for putting the tracks back on, and an instruction sheet explaining how to do it.
  • An instruction sheet on how to use the Multifit Trailer Coupling (see Attaching the trailer to your vehicle)

And please don't leave the toolbox sitting loose on the trailer during transit! Put it in your vehicle :-)

Hydraulic Couplings

If using the Tilt Bucket or Auger, please read below for how to properly attach the hydraulic couplings.

Releasing Pressure in the Hydraulic Auxiliary Lines

  1. Turn the key to on, but don't turn the digger on yet
  2. Press the left foot pedal (the one that controls the auxiliary hydraulic lines) down once on each side to release any built up hydraulic pressure. You might need to twist the red locking mechanism out of the way first.

Attaching

  1. Wipe the four connection points for the hydraulics. The two hydraulic hose ends, and the two attachements points on the digger boom.
  2. Now you're good to go. Connect the hydraulic couplings.

Disconnecting the lines

Make sure to release the hydraulic pressure again before detaching the lines.

Final notes

By hiring a digger from Twizel Hire you are confirming that you or the person operating the digger have previous experience and competence, and have made it known if this is not the case so we can instruct you on the safe operation of the machines.