A mini excavator without attachments is a digging machine. A mini excavator with the right attachments is a whole crew of specialized tools that share one power source, one operator, and one trailer. This guide walks through the attachments Ontario contractors and property owners actually buy – what each is for, how to size it, and how to pick between them.

Attachments at a glance

The attachment categories in detail

Buckets (the base attachment)

Every excavator comes with a bucket, but most operators end up with three or four for different work: a standard digging bucket for general trenching, a grading bucket for finish work, and either a rock bucket or skeleton bucket where you want fines to fall through. Bucket width matters – a narrow bucket concentrates force for hard digging, a wider bucket moves material faster in loose soil.

Browse excavator buckets.

Augers (for post holes and planting)

An excavator auger turns your mini excavator into a post-hole drilling machine or tree-planting rig. Fence posts, decks, pergolas, signs, and landscape tree work are the common jobs. Auger bit diameters run from a few inches (fence-post work) to 300+ mm for tree pits.

Match the auger to your machine hydraulic flow. See excavator augers.

Hydraulic Breakers

A hydraulic breaker lets your mini excavator handle concrete demolition, rock breaking, and utility work a bucket cannot touch. Sizing is important: too small will not do the work; too large can damage the machine or the breaker.

Grapples (rotating, log, fixed)

• Rotating grapples: head rotates 360 degrees under hydraulic control – ideal for demolition sorting, land clearing, precise material placement
• Log grapples: purpose-built for logs, brush, long material
• Fixed grapples: lower cost, strong for straight material handling

See excavator grapples for sale.

Pallet Forks (moving pallets, lumber, blocks)

A common search is “pallet forks for mini excavator” or “forklift attachment for mini excavator”. Yes, you can turn a mini excavator into a machine that moves pallets, lumber, blocks, and even light equipment. Great time saver on landscape sites, construction sites, and rural properties where a purpose-built forklift would be overkill or wrong for the terrain.

Rippers, Rakes, and Land-Clearing

Rippers push into ground too hard, frozen, or root-filled to dig with a bucket. Ontario winter and clay soils make rippers a practical add for late-season work. Land-clearing rakes let you separate rocks, roots, and brush from soil – critical for rural site prep.

The 3-question shortcut for picking attachments

Attachments by machine class

Not sure? See our Ontario mini excavator sizing guide.

Featured products from this range

Popular attachments across the tonnage classes covered in this guide:

• 6-ton hydraulic thumb – grab-anything utility for demolition and material sorting
• 3.5-ton hydraulic thumb – same versatility for mid-size machines
• 1-ton hydraulic thumb – compact-machine grabbing power
• 6-ton 600mm digging bucket – most-used excavation width for utility work
• 2.5-ton rotating log grapple – place logs precisely for stacking or loading
• 8-ton rotating log grapple – heavy-log handling for arborists and demo crews
• 2.5-ton auger (1000 x 300mm) – fence posts, tree planting, utility drilling
• 6-ton hydraulic quick coupler – swap attachments from the cab in seconds

Every attachment we sell is a genuine RIPPA part with manufacturer warranty. Request a quote for pricing.

If you are hauling a mini excavator, a skid steer, or a load of landscape material, the trailer choice matters as much as the machine choice. Two categories that come up a lot for Ontario contractors are K-trailers and gravity tilt trailers.

Side-by-side comparison

K-Trailer

Tandem-axle equipment trailer

• Flat deck accepts mixed loads
• Need separate loading ramps
• Best for varied jobs
• Deck lengths: 10 ft and 14 ft

Shop K-trailers →

Gravity Tilt

Tilt-deck trailer

• Deck tilts – no separate ramps
• Fastest single-machine load
• Best for the same machine daily
• Capacities: 5,000 lb (TL.5K) and 7,000 lb (TL.7K)

Shop gravity trailers →

K-Trailers: what they are

K-trail equipment trailers (also searched as “kay trailers” or “K trail”) are Canadian-made tandem-axle equipment trailers built for hauling machinery. The line focuses on real-world equipment jobs: strong tandem-axle setup, tie-down points sized for actual equipment loads, and deck lengths matched to common jobsite hauls.

Gravity Tilt Trailers: what they are

Gravity tilt trailers load a piece of equipment by tipping the deck itself, so the machine can drive on and off without a separate ramp. No ramps to store, no ramps to damage, and no ramps to buckle under an operator load. The trade-off: the pivot mechanism and tilt angle set the maximum loading geometry, so the trailer needs to be sized correctly for the machine.

How to pick between them

Trailer and tow vehicle sizing

How loading ramps fit in

K-trailers use conventional loading ramps for load and unload. If you are choosing your first trailer or replacing worn ramps, our loading ramp buying guide covers capacity, length, angle, and surface tradeoffs.

Featured products from this range

Ontario-ready equipment trailers we stock across both families:

• K-Trail CH20-14 – 20,000 lb capacity, 14 ft deck, for larger equipment moves
• K-Trail CH20-10 – 20,000 lb capacity, 10 ft deck, tighter footprint
• Single Axle Gravity Tilt TL7K – 7,000 lb capacity, single-axle gravity-tilt for one-machine loads
• Single Axle Gravity Tilt TL5K – 5,000 lb capacity, ideal for compact equipment and utility use
• Tandem Axle Dump DT7K – 7,000 lb capacity dump trailer for material hauling
• Tandem Axle Dump DT10K – 10,000 lb capacity for heavier dump-and-go work

Request a quote for current pricing and delivery timing on any of these trailers.

A loading ramp is the cheapest piece of equipment on your job site – until one buckles under a two-tonne excavator and you are looking at a wrecked machine, a shredded trailer, and a very bad day. Buying the right ramp is about matching capacity, length, and design to the machine you are moving.

Capacity: the number that actually matters

Every ramp is rated for a maximum load capacity per pair. That rating assumes the machine crosses the ramp smoothly and centered. In real life, machines rock, hydraulics shift weight, and one track carries more than the other during turns on the ramp.

Length and angle

Ramp length determines the loading angle. Steep ramps put more stress on the ramp, machine, and operator. General guide:

For rubber-tracked mini excavators, keep the loading angle at or under 15 degrees. Steel-tracked machines can handle more but chew up ramps. Skid steers with pneumatic tires want under 20 degrees.

Ramp types at a glance

Surface: knurled, punched, or grip-strut

• Knurled aluminum: light, decent grip, slick when wet
• Punched hole steel: great grip, self-clearing of mud, heavier
• Grip-strut steel: best traction, best drainage, heaviest

For year-round Ontario use, we usually recommend punched or grip-strut steel over aluminum.

Attachment method

• Pin-on: most secure, slower to set up
• Hook-over: fast, check for lateral movement under load
• Rubber flap: protects the deck, relies entirely on friction

Pin-on is our default recommendation for machinery loading. A hook-over ramp that shifts under load is what kills operators and machines.

Safety practices that pay off

Featured products from this range

Ramps we stock and deliver across Ontario, matched to typical use cases:

• SHD70 Super Heavy Duty ramps – the go-to for skid steers and heavier machines up to 70,000 lb capacity range
• HD50 Heavy Duty ramps – mid-weight mini excavators and compact tractors
• LD5000 Portable Truck ramps – trailer and pickup loading for lighter machines and equipment
• M35 Portable series – light equipment, ATVs, small trailers
• GTD Loading Dock ramps – stationary dock-to-truck applications

Unsure which capacity you actually need? Contact us with your machine weight and we will recommend the right series.

A mini excavator that is well maintained lasts twice as long as one that is not. Fluids, filters, pins, tracks – none of it is glamorous, but every hour you spend on maintenance saves ten in downtime. Here is the checklist we hand to every RIPPA owner in Ontario.

Maintenance interval overview

Every day (before you start)

• Walk around the machine, look for hydraulic weeps, loose bolts, damaged hoses
• Check track tension by eye – sagging tracks throw quickly
• Grease every pin and bushing on the boom, arm, and bucket
• Check engine oil, coolant, and hydraulic fluid levels (machine level, boom down)
• Clear debris from around the radiator and air intake
• Test all controls before you load material – a slow cylinder now is a broken cylinder later

Every 50 hours

• Full grease service – every zerk on the machine, not just the obvious ones
• Check air filter – clean or replace if there is visible buildup
• Check battery terminals, tighten if needed
• Inspect tracks for cuts, missing chunks, or exposed cords
• Look at the cutting edge on the bucket – a worn edge doubles your dig time

Every 100 hours

• Change engine oil and oil filter
• Replace fuel filter and water separator
• Check hydraulic return filter
• Inspect all hydraulic hoses for chafing, especially where they cross the swing frame
• Torque check on track bolts and mounting hardware
• Grease the swing bearing (often the missed one that causes big repair bills later)

Every 250 hours

• Replace hydraulic fluid and hydraulic filter
• Replace air filter (do not just clean it)
• Coolant check – top up or replace based on strength test
• Inspect and adjust final drive fluid on both tracks
• Pin and bushing inspection – replace bushings that have gone oval
• Full electrical inspection – connectors, harnesses, fuses

Three things that cause the biggest bills

1. Skipped hydraulic fluid changes. Contaminated fluid grinds pumps and valves. A $200 fluid change beats a $4,000 pump.
2. Loose tracks. Tracks thrown mid-job usually damage sprockets and rollers on the way off.
3. Neglected greasing. Dry pins wear the bushings, then the pins, then the boom pinbore. Fixing a worn pinbore requires machining.

Keep a log

Track hours and what you did at each service. A simple notebook in the cab beats trying to remember when you last changed the hydraulic fluid. Service records add real resale value.

Featured products from this range

The machines this maintenance checklist applies to:

• RIPPA R06 Eco – sub-1 tonne compact
• RIPPA R13 Pro – 1.3 tonne professional-grade
• RIPPA R18 Pro – 1.8 tonne all-rounder
• RIPPA R22 Pro – 2.2 tonne site-prep favourite
• RIPPA R32 Pro – 3.2 tonne heavy work

Need parts, oil filters, or hydraulic fluid to run through this checklist? Contact us – we stock service parts for the full RIPPA lineup.

Buying a mini excavator without a size plan is the fastest way to end up with the wrong machine. Too small and every job takes twice as long. Too big and you cannot get it into the yards, driveways, and tight lots where most Ontario contractors actually work. This guide walks through how to size a mini excavator the right way and match a RIPPA mini excavator to the work you do most.

Start with the work, not the specs

Before looking at any brochure, list the five most common jobs you do in a typical month. For each one, note trench depth needed, access width, whether you need to break concrete or drill posts, transport method, and ground conditions. Those five constraints will do more to size your excavator than any spec sheet.

Weight class overview at a glance

1.0 to 1.5 tonne class

These machines shine on landscaping, backyard pool digs, and interior demo. They usually fit through a standard 36 inch gate with retractable tracks, and you can tow one with a half-ton pickup and a proper trailer. Trade-off is shorter reach and smaller bucket capacity.

1.7 to 2.0 tonne class

Where most Ontario general contractors land. Enough dig depth (around 8 to 9 feet) for foundations, waterlines, and small footing work, still small enough to move on a standard equipment trailer. Better hydraulic flow means you can run a wider range of attachments without bogging down.

2.5 to 3.5 tonne class

If you are digging deeper trenches, moving heavier material daily, or working on farm and rural properties where access is not the constraint, step up. Dig depth pushes past 10 feet and bucket capacity nearly doubles vs the 1.5 tonne class.

Attachments change everything

Once you add the right excavator attachments the same machine covers three or four job types. Read our attachments guide.

Transport reality check

• Trailer capacity: GVWR plus tongue weight vs your tow vehicle rating
• Deck length: a 2.0 tonne excavator needs about 12 feet of deck, more with attachments
• Loading ramps: match ramp capacity to machine weight plus a safety margin (see our ramp guide)

New vs used trade-off

A new RIPPA machine comes with warranty and current-generation hydraulics. Used gear can save 20 to 40 percent upfront but you inherit whatever the previous owner did with it. Daily use usually pays back new within two seasons through uptime alone.

The Ontario checklist

Featured products from this range

Once you know your size class, browse the matching RIPPA mini excavator built for it:

• RIPPA R06 Eco – sub-1 tonne, ideal for tight backyard and indoor demo work
• RIPPA R15 Eco – 1.5 tonne value-tier machine for residential and landscape use
• RIPPA R13 Pro – 1.3 tonne professional-grade, extra hydraulic flow for attachment work
• RIPPA R18 Pro – 1.8 tonne, popular residential/light-commercial size
• RIPPA R22 Pro – 2.2 tonne, the sweet spot for site-prep and drainage work
• RIPPA R32 Pro – 3.2 tonne, when you need reach and bucket force in one machine

Not sure which fits? Contact us and we will match a machine to your typical jobs.

What Is a Skid Steer Loader?

A skid steer loader is a small, rigid-frame machine with lift arms that can connect to multiple attachments. Its ability to turn within a very small radius makes it ideal for narrow construction sites, warehouses, and urban environments.

Common Skid Steer Applications

Our skid steer services are perfect for:

• Site cleaning and debris removal
• Material loading and transportation
• Backfilling and leveling
• Pavement repair and maintenance
• Landscaping and grading

With interchangeable attachments, skid steers can shovel, lift, dig, drill, sweep, and even handle demolition work, reducing the need for multiple machines on a jobsite.

Advantages of Skid Steer Loaders

✔ Compact design for tight workspaces
✔ Fast attachment changes for multi-tasking
✔ All-wheel drive for uneven terrain
✔ Lower operating and maintenance costs
✔ Improved efficiency for small to medium projects

Modern skid steers also include advanced safety features, ergonomic controls, and automation options that improve productivity and operator comfort.

Why Choose Our Skid Steer Services?

We provide reliable equipment and experienced operators to help you complete projects efficiently. Whether you need precise grading, material handling, or cleanup work, our skid steer solutions deliver flexible performance for any jobsite.

What Is an Excavator?

An excavator is a powerful piece of heavy equipment primarily used for digging, trenching, lifting, demolition, and material handling. These machines can rotate 360 degrees and support multiple attachments, making them adaptable for a wide range of construction applications.

Key Excavator Applications

Our excavator services support various industries and project types, including:

• Foundation and trench digging
• Land clearing and grading
• Demolition and site preparation
• Utility installation and drainage work
• Material handling and heavy lifting

Excavators are widely used in construction, mining, landscaping, and infrastructure projects because they can perform tasks like drilling shafts, river dredging, and demolition using specialized attachments.

Benefits of Using Excavators

✔ High digging power for tough soil conditions
✔ Versatile attachments for multiple tasks
✔ Improved jobsite productivity
✔ Precision control for accurate excavation
✔ Reduced manual labor and faster project completion

Why Choose Our Excavator Services?

We combine modern equipment with skilled operators to ensure safety, efficiency, and reliable results. Whether you need large-scale excavation or detailed groundwork, our team delivers professional solutions tailored to your project.