
What are average backhoe attachment rates?
The backhoe is one of the construction industry's most versatile pieces of machinery with the ability to push and pull when it comes to earth moving. In addition to this, the backhoe has the capability to change attachments for a wide variety of other applications on your job site such as breaking through rock, ripping up stubborn rock and roots as well as digging post holes.
Here is a list of readily available and common backhoe attachments with their average hourly hire rates.
Attachment |
p/h |
Rock Breaker |
$60 |
Ripper |
$20 |
Grabber |
$20 |
Compaction Wheel |
$20 |
Pallet Forks |
$10 |
Post Hole Borer |
$60 |
Vibration Plate |
$50 |

What other costs are associated with backhoe loader hire?
As a plant hire user of a backhoe, you must also account for other usage costs of the machine other than the hourly rate. The user is liable for such expenses such as mobilisation, demobilisation, excessive wear, servicing, tip or rubbish removal fees as well as fuel costs and penalty rates.
Service |
$ |
Mobilisation/Demobilisation |
$100.00+/hour |
Excessive Wear/Attachment Replacement |
Starting from: $500 |
Servicing |
Starting from: $200 |
Rubbish Removal Fees |
Starting from :$130 /tonne |
Diesel Fuel costs |
Starting from: $1.50/litre |
Penalty Rates |
Starting From: $30/hour |
Need to hire a backhoe? Get free competitive quotes through iSeekplant!
As a plant hire user of a backhoe, you must also account for other usage costs of the machine other than the hourly rate. The user is liable for such expenses such as mobilisation, demobilisation, excessive wear, servicing, tip or rubbish removal fees as well as fuel costs and penalty rates.
Depending on where your project is located, you will need to cover the costs of the machine mobilisation or otherwise known as as transport or float costs. This can be quite an expensive exercise for the hirer if your project location is rural compared to metro areas. The cost is generally calculated as an hourly rate from the moment the machine leaves the depot. If you are hiring the machine for a long period of time, on the odd occasion you may be able to negotiate free transport based on a hire period of 6 months or more.
Other expenses the plant hire user is going to have to cover are the excessive wear and tear costs for attachments, tracks and tyres. These costs are generally a direct reflection of the cost to replace these items if the wear and tear is deemed to be excessive and the machine owner can not hire the machine out to another project because of this.
Servicing and fuel costs are also the responsibility of the hirer and is a vital aspect to ensure the smooth operation and efficiency of the project. Depending on the length of hire, some plant hire suppliers will also include intermittent servicing as part of the initial quote.
What are penalty rates and why do you have to pay them? It is Australian law that any employees working on a weekend, public holiday or outside of normal business hours are compensated through an increase in their hourly rate of pay for the work they complete during this time. If your machine is required to be mobilised, demobilised or operated during this time, you should expect to pay a hire hourly rate.
Are you looking for wet or dry hire backhoe?
Wet hire of a backhoe includes an employee that operates the machine for you. Dry hire means the backhoe is delivered to your site and you are responsible for the use and operation of the machine. The good news is, no license is required to operate a backhoe however we highly suggest you find someone who has knowledge of these machines to operate it for your needs.
How to get the best backhoe rates?
Need to hire a backhoe but aren’t sure where your local suppliers are? iSeekplant is the home to thousands of plant hire suppliers across Australia. We have a nationwide network of backhoe loader suppliers ranging from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to Canberra, Adelaide, Darwin and Perth.
To easily find a backhoe for hire near you, simply use our get rates tool and organise your backhoe loader hire today.
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