Monday, March 09 2026

When MCA Engineering needed to excavate a 15-metre-deep shaft in Muswellbrook, NSW, the brief was anything but standard.
The shaft diameter was just 3.6 metres. Working space was tight, air quality requirements were strict and exhaust fumes were not permitted. This wasn't a job for conventional diesel machinery.

The Challenge

The project involved excavating a vertical shaft 15 metres deep, with severely restricted access and limited room for manoeuvring.

Key constraints included:

• Confined 3.6m diameter shaft
• No exhaust fumes permitted
• Strict air quality compliance
• Machine to be craned into position
• Reliable all-day performance required
• A standard excavator simply wouldn't work. Even slightly larger battery units would have been too big for the shaft dimensions.

The Solution: Wacker Neuson E17e

Hire Express supplied a 1.7T Zero Swing Battery Excavator - the Wacker Neuson E17e, purpose-built for projects where emissions, noise and space are critical factors.

Why it worked:

• Zero emissions - ideal for confined, regulated environments
  
• Zero-swing design - maximised manoeuvrability inside the 3.6m shaft
• Compact footprint - smaller than a 1.9T unit, making it suitable for this specific project
• Full 8-hour runtime on a single charge
• Diesel-comparable performance, without the fumes
• The zero-swing design significantly improved control and efficiency in the confined space, allowing operators to work confidently without unnecessary repositioning.

Safe & Efficient Delivery

The excavator was delivered in excellent condition and performed flawlessly throughout the project. Clear lifting instructions made craning the machine into the shaft straightforward and efficient. Once in position, it completed full 8-hour shifts on a single charge, enabling uninterrupted operation across the workday. Despite being battery powered, the machine delivered impressive digging performance, comparable to its diesel equivalent.

The Outcome

The project was completed safely and efficiently, meeting all environmental and operational requirements. By supplying a specialised, niche machine suited exactly to the constraints of the site, Hire Express ensured the job could proceed without compromise.

Client Feedback

"The hire process from start to finish was smooth and simple. The equipment was in excellent condition and extremely reliable. We will continue to use Hire Express for all future projects."