Own a machine in Canberra with the numbers worked out
Towing limits, running costs, repayments and attachment fitment for the Rippa range, plus guides to the jobs, rules and seasons of the ACT. Prices update from Rippa Australia, which freights to Canberra.

Work out the numbers first
The excavator range, Canberra prices
R10 Mini Excavator
R13 Pro Excavator
R15 Mini Excavator
R18 PRO Excavator
R22 PRO Excavator
R32 Pro Excavator
R57 PRO Excavator
R82 PRO Excavator
159 attachments, matched to each model
Thumb Clip Hydraulic for R18
R22 Excavator Tilt Bucket (2.2T)
Sweeper for RS06-RS07
Rotating Log Grapple for RS10-RS20
Grid Bucket for R32 PRO
Stump Bucket for RS010-RS20
Four-in-one bucket for RS06-RS07
Rock Breaker for RS10-RS20
Skid steers from walk-behind to full size
RS03 Briggs and Stratton engine
RS04 Skid Steer
RS06 Skid Steer
RS07 Skid Steer Loader
RS20 Skid Steer
Canberra jobs and where they happen
Pools & Backyard Projects
Pools, decks, outdoor rooms and the garden that follows, on 1960s to 90s blocks with mature trees and tight side access.
Retaining Walls & Terracing
Every new block in the growth suburbs comes with a slope. Cutting terraces, footings, drainage and backfill.
Rural & Acreage
Water, fencing, driveways, sheds and fire preparation on Tablelands granite and clay.
Trades & Contractors
Plumbers, landscapers, fencers and builders who bill the machine on every job.
Winter Operation & Storage
Frost, frozen ground, wet clay and cold starts: how to keep a machine working and healthy through a Canberra winter.
Owning a machine in the ACT

Storing and Starting a Mini Excavator Through a Canberra Winter
Sub-zero mornings from May to September are hard on batteries, oil and operators. A storage and start-up routine for the coldest capital.

What Needs Approval in the ACT: Earthworks, Retaining Walls, Sheds and Trees
Before the bucket goes in on a Canberra block: the ACT's exempt development rules, Dial Before You Dig, tree protection and the lease condit...

Canberra Tradies: When Owning a Mini Excavator Beats Hiring
Plumbers, landscapers, fencers and builders in the ACT hire a machine most weeks. The break-even, the tax position and the machine that fits...
Common questions from Canberra buyers
What does a mini excavator cost to run in Canberra?
For a 2 tonne machine doing 200 hours a year: diesel, DIY servicing, tracks and insurance come to a few thousand dollars, with depreciation the largest line. The running cost estimator on this site works it out for your hours.
Do I need approval for retaining walls in the ACT?
Walls over a set height, near boundaries or supporting other land need approval under the ACT's planning rules; Access Canberra publishes the exempt development limits. Check before you build.
Do I need a licence to operate a mini excavator in the ACT?
Not on your own property. Construction sites require a white card and usually a verification of competency.
Can a dual-cab ute tow a Rippa excavator to Canberra?
A 3,500 kg braked rating tows the R22 PRO on a 3.5 tonne trailer with breakaway brakes. Use the towing check to compare every model against your vehicle.

