How to Hire Excavator and Machine Attachments in Australia

When you're running a civil construction job, the right attachment can be the difference between a task that takes two hours and one that takes two days. On Rollout, you can hire attachments alongside a machine, or independently if you already have a machine on site.

What attachments are available on Rollout?

Rollout hosts a wide range of civil construction attachments for excavators, loaders, skid steers and tractors. Common listings include:

Excavator attachments

• GP (general purpose) buckets — standard digging buckets in various widths (300mm to 1500mm+)
• Rock buckets — heavier construction with bolt-on segments for abrasive conditions
• Trenching buckets — narrow profile for drainage, conduit and service trenches
• Hydraulic tiltrotators — full 360° rotation and tilt, dramatically increasing precision
• Hydraulic thumbs — for demolition, rock handling and vegetation clearing
• Hydraulic rippers — single-tooth rippers for breaking rock and hard clay
• Compaction wheels — for trench backfill compaction in confined spaces
• Hydraulic breakers / rock hammers — for breaking concrete and hard rock
• Hydraulic auger drives — for post holes, piers and soil investigation
• Mulching heads / forestry mulchers — for land clearing and vegetation management
• Grading beams — for fine grading and levelling work
• Vibratory compaction plates — for trench and pad compaction

Skid steer / posi track attachments

• Pallet forks
• Auger drives
• Trenchers
• Brooms
• Bucket attachments (GP, rock, 4-in-1)

Loader and tractor attachments

• Front blades
• Rear rippers
• Spreaders
• Post-hole diggers

How to hire an attachment on Rollout

Step 1: Search for your attachment type

From the Rollout homepage, search by attachment type or browse the Equipment section filtered to "Attachments." You can also search by location to find attachments near your job site, minimising float transport cost.

Step 2: Check compatibility

This is critical. Before submitting a request, verify:

• Hitch type: Most Australian excavators run either Wedgelock (also called a CW hitch) or pin-on (direct pin) configurations. Larger machines may run dedicated OEM hitches. The listing will specify compatible hitch types.
• Machine weight class: A 300kg hydraulic breaker designed for a 3-tonne excavator will be drastically underpowered on a 14-tonne machine. Check the rated machine class.
• Hydraulic flow requirements: Hydraulic attachments (breakers, augers, mulchers, tiltrotators) require a specific hydraulic flow rate and pressure from the carrier machine. Cross-reference with your machine's spec sheet.
• Physical dimensions: Some attachments have width restrictions relevant to trench work or confined-site access.

If you're unsure about compatibility, use Rollout's messaging system to ask the owner directly before booking.

Step 3: Book and arrange delivery

Once compatibility is confirmed, select your dates and submit a hire request. If float transport is needed to deliver the attachment to your site, you can request this through Rollout's transport network — most attachments are light enough to be delivered on a flatbed or ute trailer, making transport simpler and cheaper than a full machine float.

Step 4: Fitment and operation

When the attachment arrives, inspect it before fitment:

• Check pins and bushes for wear
• Confirm hydraulic hoses are in good condition with no chafing or leaks
• Verify the hitch mechanism engages correctly

The owner should provide any relevant operating instructions. For hydraulic attachments, ensure your machine's auxiliary hydraulics are correctly configured (flow direction, pressure settings) before use.

Hiring attachments with a machine

If you're also hiring a machine through Rollout, you can often source compatible attachments from the same owner — many owners list both their machines and their attachment inventory. This is the simplest approach as the owner can confirm compatibility firsthand and deliver everything together.

When browsing machine listings, check whether the owner has additional attachments listed. You can also message the owner to ask about attachments even if they haven't listed them separately — they may have additional buckets or tools available.

What does attachment hire cost in Australia?

Attachment hire rates vary significantly by type and size:

• GP buckets (various sizes): $80–$200 per day
• Hydraulic rippers / thumbs: $100–$250 per day
• Rock hammers / breakers: $250–$600 per day depending on machine class
• Auger drives: $200–$450 per day (excluding bits)
• Tiltrotators: $300–$700 per day
• Mulching heads: $500–$1,200 per day
• Compaction wheels: $100–$200 per day

Weekly rates typically offer a 30–40% saving over daily rates. All prices on Rollout are set by the owner — use these as a guide only.

FAQ

Can I hire just an attachment without a machine? Yes. Rollout allows attachment-only listings. If you already own or have hired a machine, you can hire just the attachment you need.

How do I know if an attachment will fit my machine? Check the listing for compatible machine makes and models, hitch type, and machine weight class. If in doubt, message the owner directly before booking.

Are attachments covered by the same hire terms as machines? Yes. Attachment hires through Rollout follow the same booking, payment and damage terms as machine hires.