Earthmoving and Transport
5.5 Ton Excavator — Kobelco SK55
A larger compact excavator for heavier digging, trenching, drainage, site preparation, and earthmoving jobs where a smaller mini excavator may not have enough reach, digging depth, or working power. The Kobelco SK55 gives contractors, landscapers, builders, and capable site crews a stronger machine for planned earthmoving work around Greenbank, Greenbank, Logan, Brisbane, and nearby areas.
What You Get On Hire
A 5 tonne class Kobelco excavator suited to more demanding site work, with compact excavator handling and useful reach for residential, acreage, landscaping, drainage, and construction projects.
Key Features
- 5 tonne class compact excavator for heavier earthmoving jobs
- Kobelco SK55 / SK55SRX model range
- Compact tail swing design for working in tighter site areas
- Suitable for trenching, digging, site cuts, drainage work, footing preparation, and material movement
- Larger working range than smaller mini excavators
- Cabin-style excavator design for better operator protection and comfort
- Strong digging and arm force for harder work than smaller machines
- Useful option when a 1.7 tonne or 2.6 tonne excavator may be too small for the job
Specifications
- Model: Kobelco SK55 / SK55SRX
- Machine class: 5 tonne class excavator
- Operating weight: approximately 5,095 kg
- Transport length: approximately 5.55 m
- Transport width: approximately 1.96 m
- Transport height: approximately 2.53 m
- Maximum digging depth: approximately 3.9 m
- Maximum digging reach: approximately 6.27 m
- Rated power output: 29.6 kW
- Bucket digging force: 35.2 kN
- Arm crowding force: 24.6 kN
- Fuel tank capacity: 75 L
- Hydraulic oil tank: 27.9 L
- Hydraulic system capacity: 57.7 L
Included With Hire
- Kobelco SK55 excavator hire unit
- Standard hire handover information
- Basic machine condition check before hire
- Hire contract and invoice information where applicable
- Manual or operating information where available
- Bucket and attachment setup to be confirmed before booking
Usage & Suitability
- Trenching for drainage, plumbing, services, and site preparation
- Footings, retaining wall preparation, and construction groundworks
- Larger landscaping and property improvement jobs
- Driveway preparation, slab preparation, and earthmoving support
- Soil removal, shaping, levelling, and general excavation
- Residential, acreage, trade, and light construction sites with suitable access
- Jobs where smaller excavators may take too long or not have enough reach
Power/Fuel/Operation Notes
This is a larger excavator hire item and should be operated by someone with suitable machine experience. Fuel type, refill expectations, bucket setup, and any attachment requirements should be confirmed before booking so the right hire details are recorded for your job.
Transport & Delivery Notes
Because this machine is over 5 tonnes, transport needs to be planned properly. Delivery and collection may be available within the Flourish Hire service area, depending on location, access, timing, and site conditions.
Before booking, check gate width, driveway strength, unloading area, ground conditions, overhead clearance, and where the machine will be parked or operated. A site contact should be available for handover when delivery is arranged.
Safety & Practical Notes
- Check underground services before digging
- Make sure the work area is clear before operation
- Allow enough room for the excavator to slew, track, and work safely
- Avoid unstable edges, soft ground, steep slopes, and unsupported trenches
- Keep people away from the operating area
- Confirm bucket, attachment, transport, and operator suitability before hire
- Return the machine in reasonable condition after use
When A Smaller Excavator Is Not Enough
The Kobelco SK55 is a good step up when the job needs more digging depth, reach, breakout force, and productivity than a smaller mini excavator can comfortably provide.
For tight garden access, small backyard work, or light trenching, a smaller excavator may be easier to move and position. For larger site cuts, deeper trenches, drainage runs, retaining wall preparation, and heavier earthmoving, the 5.5 tonne Kobelco gives you more machine under the operator.
It suits planned worksites where access has been checked, delivery can be arranged properly, and the operator understands how to work around levels, spoil piles, underground services, and nearby structures. If you are unsure whether this machine is too large for your site, share your job details before booking so we can help you compare it with the smaller excavators in our range.
Short Hire Notes
Minimum hire is 24 hours. Flourish Hire uses the same hire rates every day, including weekends and public holidays. We are open Monday to Sunday, 6:30 am to 6:00 pm, with no after-hours pickup or return. Delivery and collection may be available within 50 km where suitable, and a bond applies per item.
FAQs
What jobs is the 5.5 Ton Kobelco SK55 suited for?
This excavator is suited to heavier digging, trenching, drainage preparation, footings, retaining wall prep, site cuts, soil movement, and larger landscaping jobs. It is a stronger option than smaller mini excavators when the work needs more reach, depth, and digging force.
Is the Kobelco SK55 suitable for residential projects?
Yes, it can be suitable for residential and acreage projects if the site has enough access, space, and safe operating area. It is still a larger compact excavator, so gate width, driveway access, unloading space, ground condition, and overhead clearance should be checked before booking.
How does this compare with a smaller excavator?
Smaller excavators are easier to move around tight areas and may suit small trenches or light backyard jobs. The SK55 is better when the work is deeper, heavier, wider, or more time-sensitive. It gives more digging reach and machine strength, but it also needs more room and better transport planning.
Can this excavator be used for trenching?
Yes, this machine is suitable for many trenching jobs, including drainage, service preparation, and general site works. Bucket size and trench requirements should be confirmed before booking so the machine setup is suitable for the job.
Can Flourish Hire deliver this excavator?
Delivery and collection may be available within the local service area, depending on your location, site access, unloading space, and booking time. Because this is a heavier machine, transport should be discussed before hire instead of assuming it can be collected like smaller equipment.
What should I check before hiring this machine?
Check access width, driveway condition, unloading area, turning space, ground stability, overhead clearance, underground services, spoil placement, and whether the operator is suitable for the machine. These details help confirm whether the SK55 is the right excavator for the site.
Are buckets or attachments included?
The excavator hire unit is planned for hire, but bucket and attachment setup should be confirmed before booking. Do not assume a specific bucket size, auger, grab, tilt hitch, or other attachment is included unless it has been confirmed for your hire.
Is this machine suitable for DIY use?
This machine is better suited to experienced operators, trades, contractors, and capable property owners who understand excavator use and site safety. If you have limited machine experience, it may be better to discuss the job first and consider whether a smaller machine or operated solution is more suitable.
Do I need to refuel it before return?
Fuel requirements should be confirmed before booking and handover. For fuelled equipment, the usual expectation is that it is returned in the agreed condition, including fuel where applicable.
Should I choose this or the 2.6 tonne excavator?
Choose the 2.6 tonne excavator when access is tighter, the work is lighter, or transport needs to be simpler. Choose the Kobelco SK55 when the project needs stronger digging, deeper reach, larger productivity, and enough site room to operate a 5 tonne class excavator safely.
Good option for bigger earthmoving work where a small excavator would have taken too long. The extra reach and digging strength made the job easier to plan.
Helpful for drainage and site prep work. It felt like the right size for a larger residential project without needing a full-size excavator.
Access planning mattered, but once the machine was on site it handled heavier digging much better than a smaller excavator.
Useful step up from the smaller machines. Good for jobs where depth, reach, and spoil movement all need to be considered.
Clear hire details before booking made it easier to work out whether the site had enough room for delivery and operation.
Why Choose Flourish Hire For This Excavator
Hiring a 5 tonne class excavator needs more planning than hiring a small hand tool or compact garden machine. At Flourish Hire, we help customers think through the practical details before the hire starts, including site access, delivery options, hire dates, transport needs, machine suitability, and what the job involves.
Our Greenbank-based hire service supports local contractors, landscapers, builders, property owners, and site crews across nearby areas including Greenbank, Logan, Brisbane, and locations within our delivery range. The Kobelco SK55 is a useful option when you need more digging power than a smaller excavator but still want a compact excavator format for residential and mixed site conditions.
The booking process is handled through our online hire system, with availability, cart, payment, and confirmation managed clearly. For larger equipment, we recommend sharing your job details early so the right hire setup, delivery plan, and handover information can be confirmed before the machine is needed on site.
Phone Number
Mobile: 0455 494 558
E-Mail & Working Hours
dhillon@flourishhire.com.au
Monday - Sunday: 6:30 am – 6:00 pm
Address
122-128 Teviot Rd, Greenbank QLD 4124, AustraliaAll Equipment List
Use the equipment search on our website to find the machine you need, choose your available hire dates and times, add the item to your cart, complete secure payment, and receive your booking confirmation by email.
Plan Your SK55 Excavator Hire
Before booking the Kobelco SK55, share your job type, site location, preferred hire dates, access width, unloading area, ground conditions, transport needs, and any bucket or attachment requirements. This helps us confirm whether this 5 tonne class excavator is suitable for your site and whether delivery or collection can be arranged for your hire.