Digging a water line? Pulling scrub oak? Leveling a hillside? The right excavator makes the difference. In Colorado’s rocky terrain, the wrong machine doesn’t just slow you down — it can stop the job entirely. Ted’s True Value Rental carries four excavators to match any job, from tight residential backyards to heavy utility work. Here’s how to pick the right one.
The Four Machines
Mini — Kato 17
Best for tight spaces, residential backyards, and jobs where access is limited. The Kato 17 tracks retract to 36″ — it fits through a standard gate. It’s also the only machine in our fleet that a half-ton truck can tow. 10.4 ft digging depth, zero tail swing.
Rent the Kato 17 →Small — Yanmar ViO25
The Yanmar ViO25 is a 2.5-ton class compact, zero tail swing excavator built for tight, urban, and residential job sites. 20.4 hp diesel engine, 10.4 ft digging depth, 5,919 lb operating weight. 4,079 lb bucket digging force. Zero tail swing with a 2.47 ft tail swing radius — maneuvers in spaces where full-size machines can’t operate. Track width 4.93 ft, ground clearance 1.05 ft.
Half-ton towing note: One half-ton pickup can tow both the Kato 17 and the Yanmar ViO25 together — making it easy to get both machines to the job site in a single trip.
Rent the Yanmar ViO25 →Medium — Kato 35V5 ★ Most Popular
The right machine for most Durango jobs. Zero tail swing, expandable tracks, and interchangeable buckets make it the most versatile option in the fleet. At ~8,082 lbs, it has the digging force to handle Colorado’s rocky soil without being oversized for standard residential and commercial work. We keep three in the fleet for a reason.
Rent the Kato 35V5 →Large — Yanmar ViO50-6A
Built for foundations, heavy utility work, and hillside jobs where you need maximum digging power. 10,000 lbs, 12 ft digging depth, zero tail swing. Requires a ¾-ton truck with electric brakes.
Rent the Yanmar ViO50-6A →
Kato 17 — Mini
Yanmar ViO25 — Small
Kato 35V5 — Medium ★ Most Popular
Yanmar ViO50-6A — Large
What Are Excavators Used For in Durango?
- Utility trenching — water, power, and sewer lines. Water lines in Durango need to be at least 6 feet deep due to the frost line.
- Foundations and footers — the larger the machine, the more dirt per pass and the faster the job.
- Scrub oak and tree removal — dig out the root ball to stop regrowth. Excavators are the right tool for this.
- Ground leveling — for sheds, structures, or landscaping beds. Use the blade to level after you dig.
- Hillside work — use the blade to balance the machine on steep slopes while you dig. Often the only machine that can safely access steep grades.
- Ditch cleaning and irrigation pond maintenance.
Your Questions, Answered
What size excavator do I need?
Start with your job site constraints. Tight space or residential backyard? Go with the Kato 17 — the most compact machine in our fleet. No size limits? Go bigger. Larger machines have more digging force and get the job done faster. In Colorado’s rocky soil, go bigger than you think you need.
Can I tow the excavator myself?
Depends on your truck. The Kato 17 and Yanmar ViO25 are both half-ton compatible — and one half-ton pickup can tow both machines together in a single trip. Everything larger requires a ¾-ton or bigger with electric brakes. All of Ted’s trailers are equipped with electric brakes.
How deep do I need to dig?
Water lines in Durango: minimum 6 feet (frost line). Power and sewer lines: 18 inches is usually sufficient. The deeper you need to go, the more you benefit from a larger machine with greater digging force.
What am I picking up or moving?
Colorado rocks look manageable on the surface and turn into Volkswagen-sized boulders underground. Lifting capacity matters. The larger the machine, the more you can move per pass. Match lifting capability to your worst-case scenario.
Can I use different bucket sizes?
On the Kato 35V5, yes — interchangeable buckets are available. Match bucket width to your trench. Digging a 4-inch trench with a 24-inch bucket moves way more dirt than needed. Pick the right size and save yourself time and effort.
Do I need an excavator or a skid steer?
Simple rule: if you’re digging → excavator. If you’re moving dirt from point A to B → skid steer. Excavators have the down-force and digging power that a skid steer bucket simply can’t match.
What’s your most popular excavator?
The Kato 35V5 (medium, ~8,000 lb). Zero tail swing, interchangeable buckets, and the right balance of size and capability for most Durango jobs. We keep three in the fleet.
Will the excavator tear up my yard?
No. Every machine in Ted’s fleet runs rubber tracks — no metal tracks. Rubber tracks are significantly gentler on turf, driveways, and finished surfaces.
Can I use an excavator on a hillside?
Yes — and it’s often the only machine that can. Use the blade on the front to balance the machine on steep terrain while you dig. Excavators can work on grades that no other rental equipment can safely access.
What about trenching for a sprinkler system vs. a water line?
Sprinkler systems are shallow — a trencher works great and goes fast. Water lines in Durango need to be at least 4–6 feet deep due to the frost line, and our rocky soil makes trenching at that depth slow and difficult. A 6″ or 9″ excavator bucket gets through rock faster and makes the job worth doing.
In Durango’s rocky soil, the wrong excavator costs you a day. The right one gets it done before lunch.
📍 999 College Drive, Durango, CO 81301 |
🕒 Mon–Sat: 7am–6pm | Sun: Closed |
📞 (970) 247-2930
Ted’s — Your Partner in Every Project.
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