70 Ton Excavator70 Ton Excavator Overview
The 70 ton excavator class is selected when the project needs mining support, quarry loading and high-volume excavation. It is important to choose this size for the work being done because excavator productivity is driven by bucket capacity, digging depth, reach, cycle time, access and the haulage fleet available on site.
For this class, the main advantage is that it can deliver the required production more efficiently than a smaller excavator while avoiding unnecessary cost where a larger mining-class unit is not justified. It is most effective when matched with the right buckets, operator, haul trucks and site layout.
Project Plant Hire can help assess whether a 70 ton excavator is the correct choice based on material type, required depth, production target, available working area, haul distance and mobilisation requirements.
Best suited for
Mining support, quarry loading and high-volume excavation.
Typical Applications
Open-area production loading
70 Ton Excavator hire is suited to open-area production loading where access, material type, haulage and production targets match the machine class.
Mining support and overburden removal
70 Ton Excavator hire is suited to mining support and overburden removal where access, material type, haulage and production targets match the machine class.
Large quarry operations
70 Ton Excavator hire is suited to large quarry operations where access, material type, haulage and production targets match the machine class.
Heavy infrastructure excavation
70 Ton Excavator hire is suited to heavy infrastructure excavation where access, material type, haulage and production targets match the machine class.
Rock and blasted material loading
70 Ton Excavator hire is suited to rock and blasted material loading where access, material type, haulage and production targets match the machine class.
High-volume cut-to-fill works
70 Ton Excavator hire is suited to high-volume cut-to-fill works where access, material type, haulage and production targets match the machine class.
Suitable Project Types
Mining
70 Ton Excavator hire can support mining when matched with the correct operator, attachments and support fleet.
Quarries
70 Ton Excavator hire can support quarries when matched with the correct operator, attachments and support fleet.
Major infrastructure
70 Ton Excavator hire can support major infrastructure when matched with the correct operator, attachments and support fleet.
Bulk earthworks
70 Ton Excavator hire can support bulk earthworks when matched with the correct operator, attachments and support fleet.
Dam construction
70 Ton Excavator hire can support dam construction when matched with the correct operator, attachments and support fleet.
Industrial earthmoving
70 Ton Excavator hire can support industrial earthmoving when matched with the correct operator, attachments and support fleet.
Machine Specifications
| Specification | Typical Class-Based Guidance |
|---|---|
| Machine Class | 70 Ton Excavator |
| Operating Weight | Large mining-support excavator class |
| Typical Bucket Capacity | 3.5 m³ to 5.0 m³ |
| Typical Digging Depth | Approx. 9.0 m to 10.5 m |
| Typical Engine Power | Approx. 350 kW to 430 kW |
| Best Applications | Mining support, quarry loading and high-volume excavation |
| Common Attachments | GP bucket, rock bucket, trenching bucket, mud bucket, hydraulic breaker, ripper, auger, grapple and quick hitch where available and compatible |
| Available Brands | Caterpillar, Komatsu, Volvo, Hitachi, Hyundai, Liebherr and equivalent machines, subject to availability |
| Quote Factors | Site location, hire duration, operator requirement, attachment needs, access, material type, haul distance and production target |
Available Attachments and What They Are For
General purpose bucket
For normal digging, loading and general earthmoving where material is not excessively abrasive or oversized.
Rock bucket
For harder, abrasive or rocky material where a stronger bucket structure and teeth are required.
Trenching bucket
For service trenches, drainage lines and narrower excavation work where width control matters.
Hydraulic breaker
For breaking rock, concrete or hard material when ripping or normal excavation is not sufficient.
Ripper
For loosening hard ground, shale or compacted layers before bucket excavation.
Quick hitch
For faster attachment changes where the machine is doing multiple types of work on the same site.
Why Choose This Excavator Size?
Reason 1
Provides large-bucket productivity without moving to ultra-large mining class
Reason 2
Good match for 40–45 ton ADT fleets
Reason 3
Suitable for heavy-duty buckets and breakers where available
Reason 4
Helps maintain production on large open sites
When Not to Use a 70 Ton Excavator
Choosing the correct machine size is as important as choosing a capable supplier. A 70 ton excavator may not be the most economical choice when:
- Work areas are tight or urban
- The project has small quantities or short duration
- Haul roads are not prepared for large fleet operations
- The haul fleet cannot keep up with the excavator
Recommended Fleet Pairing
The right support fleet depends on production targets, haul distance, material density and site access. These machines are commonly considered with 70 ton excavator hire:
45 Ton ADT
Commonly paired with 70 Ton Excavator hire depending on haul distance, site access, material and production target.
D10 Dozer
Commonly paired with 70 Ton Excavator hire depending on haul distance, site access, material and production target.
Large Front End Loader
Commonly paired with 70 Ton Excavator hire depending on haul distance, site access, material and production target.
Motor Grader
Commonly paired with 70 Ton Excavator hire depending on haul distance, site access, material and production target.
Water Bowser
Commonly paired with 70 Ton Excavator hire depending on haul distance, site access, material and production target.
Fuel Bowser
Commonly paired with 70 Ton Excavator hire depending on haul distance, site access, material and production target.
Project Plant Hire Recommendation
Practical machine selection advice
Choose the 70 ton excavator when its bucket size, reach, digging depth and loading capability match the required daily output. If the excavator is too small, haul trucks wait and production suffers. If it is too large, mobilisation, fuel and operating cost may exceed the benefit. Send us your volumes, haul distance and material type and we can help narrow the correct class.
Popular Models Available
70 Ton Excavator is supplied on a brand-neutral basis. The models below are typical equivalents for this excavator class, depending on availability and project requirements.
Caterpillar
CAT 374 and equivalent 70 ton class excavators.
Komatsu / Volvo / Hitachi
Komatsu PC700/PC800, Volvo EC750, Hitachi ZX690/ZX750 and similar machines.
Liebherr / SANY / XCMG
Liebherr R 970/R 976, SANY SY750 and XCMG XE750 class units.
Areas We Service
Project Plant Hire assists with excavator hire enquiries across key South African project regions. Availability depends on machine location, project duration, mobilisation requirements and site conditions.
Related Equipment
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Frequently Asked Questions
What bucket size does a 70 ton excavator typically use?
Typical bucket capacity for a 70 ton excavator is around 3.5 m³ to 5.0 m³. The exact bucket depends on material density, breakout force, machine model and whether a GP, rock, mud or trenching bucket is fitted.
Why would I choose a 70 ton excavator instead of a smaller excavator?
Choose the 70 ton excavator when the smaller machine cannot meet the required production, reach, digging depth, loading height or attachment requirements economically.
When is a 70 ton excavator too large for the job?
It may be too large when access is limited, quantities are small, ground conditions cannot carry the machine or mobilisation cost is not justified by the production benefit.
Can a 70 ton excavator use a hydraulic breaker?
Hydraulic breaker options may be available where the carrier machine and attachment are compatible. Breaker size must be matched to the excavator class and material.
Which trucks should be paired with a 70 ton excavator?
The ideal haulage depends on material, cycle distance and loading target. Common support may include tippers, ADTs or larger haul trucks depending on the excavator class.
Can I request CAT, Komatsu, Volvo or another brand?
You can request a preferred brand, but Project Plant Hire works brand-neutrally and supplies suitable leading-brand or equivalent machines subject to availability.
Do you supply an operator with the 70 ton excavator?
Operator and wet hire arrangements can be discussed as part of the quotation, depending on location, duration and site requirements.
What information is needed for a 70 ton excavator quote?
Send the site location, start date, hire duration, material type, required attachments, operator requirement and any production target or access restrictions.
Request 70 Ton Excavator Hire
Tell us your site location, material type, required attachments and hire duration. We will help match the correct excavator class and support fleet to your project.