Digger Hire Cork
Digger Hire
in Cork
Choose a 1, 1.6, 3 or 5 tonne digger for domestic, commercial and agricultural work across Cork. Clear daily, weekly and weekend rates are listed below; VAT, delivery and collection are additional.
Which digger fits your job?
Tight domestic access?
Start with the 1 tonne digger and confirm your narrowest access measurement.
Standard domestic job?
Choose a 1.6 or 3 tonne digger for footings, drainage and driveways.
Larger groundworks?
The 5 tonne digger is the largest available option.
If you're in Cork and need a digger on site, you want the right machine for the job — not a guess. Hire the wrong size and you either can't get it through the access, can't reach the dig depth, or you're paying for more machine than the work needs. We run a focused fleet of 1, 1.6, 3 and 5 tonne diggers across County Cork, and the advice on this page comes from real hiring experience, not a keyword list.
Whether you're a builder digging footings for an extension, a landscaper reshaping a garden, a farmer clearing land, or a homeowner tackling a well-planned project, there's a digger here that fits. And if you're not sure which one, the fastest way to the right answer is a quick phone call — tell us the access, the depth and the scope, and we'll match the machine.
Digger Sizes & Prices
1 tonne
1 Tonne Digger Hire
Width: tight-access class · Dig depth: job dependent
• €100 per day + VAT
• €300 per week + VAT
• €200 per weekend + VAT
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1.6 tonne
1.6 Tonne Digger Hire
Width: compact access · Dig depth: job dependent
• €130 per day + VAT
• €350 per week + VAT
• €230 per weekend + VAT
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3 tonne
3 Tonne Digger Hire
Width: site access required · Dig depth: job dependent
• €150 per day + VAT
• €400 per week + VAT
• €250 per weekend + VAT
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5 tonne
5 Tonne Digger Hire
Width: site access required · Dig depth: job dependent
• €180 per day + VAT
• €450 per week + VAT
• €300 per weekend + VAT
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Choosing The Right Digger
Access first
Measure the narrowest point the machine has to pass — gateway, side passage, doorway. That single number rules machines in or out before anything else. The 1 tonne is the tightest-access option, followed by the 1.6 tonne. The 3 and 5 tonne diggers need progressively more open site access.
Dig depth
Match your deepest trench to the machine's reach. Garden drainage sits under 1.5m; footings and standard drainage want 1.5–3m; deep or commercial drainage goes beyond 3m and needs a full-size excavator. Check the number before you book.
Spoil volume
Small volumes suit a 1 or 1.6 tonne digger; a full extension or larger site job may need the 3 or 5 tonne with a dumper alongside so the digger never waits. If you're moving real spoil, a dumper usually pays for itself on a day's hire.
Not sure which machine you need? Read our full excavator selection guide or just call and ask.
What Cork Jobs Use Diggers For
Foundations
Strip and pad footings for extensions, new builds and commercial structures.
Drainage
Trenching for foul and surface water, soakaways and connection to mains.
Landscaping
Garden reshaping, levelling, patio base excavation and stump removal prep.
Site Clearance
Clearing overgrowth, demolition material and ground reduction.
Concrete Breaking
Breaker attachment for concrete breakout, rock and hardstand removal.
Utility Trenches
Service runs for water, electricity, telecoms and gas on site.
Farm Work
Land drainage, yard repairs, track maintenance and field improvement.
Roadworks
Reinstatement, trenching, kerbing and civil groundworks support.
Attachments & Accessories
Diggers aren't just for digging. The right attachment turns one machine into a multi-tool. Available attachments depend on the machine class — larger machines have the hydraulics to run heavier tools.
Cork Delivery Areas
We deliver diggers and excavators across County Cork — from Cork City to East Cork, North Cork and West Cork. Same-day and next-day delivery is usually possible when machines are available.
Before you request a quote
Get the right machine for your Cork site
For a digger or dumper, share the job, access width, ground conditions, delivery Eircode, start date and where the spoil must go. Availability and delivery cost are confirmed by Kieran.
Related Guides
Digger Hire FAQs
What size digger do I need for my Cork job?
Choose from 1, 1.6, 3 and 5 tonne diggers. The right size depends on access, dig depth and spoil volume, so measure the narrowest access point before booking.
How much is digger hire in Cork?
Rates plus VAT are: 1 tonne €100/day, €300/week or €200/weekend; 1.6 tonne €130/day, €350/week or €230/weekend; 3 tonne €150/day, €400/week or €250/weekend; 5 tonne €180/day, €450/week or €300/weekend. Delivery and collection are extra and depend on location.
Do you deliver diggers throughout Cork?
Yes. We deliver across Cork City, East Cork, North Cork, West Cork and all main towns. Same-day and next-day delivery is usually possible when machines are available.
Can I hire a digger without an operator?
Self-drive hire is available for many machines, subject to competency, site conditions and insurance checks. If the ground, depth or services are uncertain, operated hire is the safer and often faster option.
What access do I need for a digger?
The 1 tonne digger is the tightest-access option, followed by the 1.6 tonne. The 3 and 5 tonne machines need more open access. Always measure the narrowest point before booking.
Do I need a dumper with my digger?
For any job with real spoil volume, yes. A digger that keeps stopping to tram dirt is an expensive machine standing still. A dumper working alongside keeps the digger digging and usually pays for itself over a day's hire.
Is weekend digger hire available?
Yes. Weekend and urgent hire requests can be handled where machines are available. Call or WhatsApp to check availability.
Need a confirmed rate, delivery time or operator? Send the job details and Kieran will confirm the best machine for the site.