Frequently Asked Questions

Mini excavators dig - they have an articulating arm perfect for trenches, foundations, and digging below ground.

Skid steers push and move - they're loaders great for grading, moving materials, and working at ground level.

Most people see the most benefit from starting with a mini excavator, especially if you are a homeowner. If you already own a tractor, an excavator is a great addition.

There is no cookie cutter answer. Reach out to us so we can understand your individual use case and give you options so you can make the best decision.

• R10 (2,200 lbs): Ultra-compact, entry level machine, fits through 3ft gates, perfect for backyards but doesn't have any bells or whistles. Great for homeowners with light projects or contractors just starting out.
• R15 (3,179 lbs): Most popular, great all-rounder, 6ft dig depth, diesel engine, counterweight, upgraded hydraulics. Uses the same accessible accessories as smaller machines.
• R18 PRO (4,000 lbs): More power, 7.5ft dig, commercial work, larger properties or customers who need to get more done in less time.
• R22 PRO (4,960 lbs): Heavy-duty, 8ft+ dig depth, cab with heat and A/C, zero-tail swing for working near buildings and fences.
• R32 PRO (7,100 lbs): Maximum power, 10ft dig depth, primarily used by commercial customers.

Yes. Rippa uses brand-name engines (Briggs & Stratton, Kubota), upgraded hydraulics, robotic welding, and comes with a minimum 1-year warranty. You get 70-80% of major brand features at 30-40% of the cost.

Mini Excavators include:

• Standard bucket
• Expandable tracks
• Dozer blade
• Rubber tracks
• Hydraulic thumb
• Swing boom

Skid Steers include:

• Bucket
• Tracks or wheels

Zero-tail swing means the rear of the machine stays within the width of the tracks when rotating. This lets you work right next to walls, fences, or buildings without the back end swinging out and hitting obstacles. Essential for tight jobsites and residential work.

We only offer new machines and we exclusively sell Rippa brand models.

Yes! If you visit one of our locations in Rocklin, CA or Tunkhannock, PA, you can test drive various models. We don't allow digging for liability reasons and to keep machines "new".

We will cover basic operation when you visit our location. We don't have any formal training programs at this time.

Pricing varies by model and location. Check our inventory page for current MAP pricing on available machines. Reach out to us for any current promotions or special offerings that are too low to advertise.

Wire transfer (preferred), cashier's check, cash for local pickup, business check with approval, Zelle. Full payment required before delivery. Full payment required for pre-orders.

No. The price you see is what you pay, plus any applicable sales tax and delivery fee if you choose delivery. Optional accessories are extra. No dealer fees, prep fees, or doc fees.

Pennsylvania is closer to Rippa's East Coast warehouse (Virginia) with lower shipping/operating costs to our Tunkhannock, PA location, so machines there are typically $500-$1,000 less. California machines ship from Rippa's Texas warehouse to our Rocklin, CA location. Same quality, same warranty at both locations.

We don't offer direct financing, but are looking into offerings for 2026. Most customers who need financing get a personal loan through their bank, or access funds on a HELOC. Normally the rates will be better than equipment finance loans - often 2-4% lower. We can provide a detailed quote/invoice that you can take to your bank.

Authorized dealers are supposed to adhere to Rippa MAP requirements. If we don't, we can be penalized. This means we're not allowed to advertise below a certain amount. We do sometimes offer promotions, especially off season. Reach out for your personalized quote.

Check the Rippa.com website. You'll see a link in the upper right corner "Find a Dealer". Authorized dealers will be listed there.

No, we don't accept deposits or reservations. If you'd like to purchase a pre-order or a machine that's in-transit, full payment is required upfront.

As a general rule, we don't price match other dealers. Not all dealers are created equal, and if you're looking for the absolute cheapest price, we're probably not the right dealership for you. That said, it doesn't hurt to reach out and ask. Keep in mind that dealers with unusually low prices may not be authorized - no authorized Rippa dealer can advertise below MAP pricing.

• In-stock machines: Less than 1 week, sometimes same day depending on schedule and weather
• In-transit machines: ~2-4 weeks
• Pre-order machines: ~2-8 weeks

1. FREE PICKUP: Pick up from Rocklin, CA or Tunkhannock, PA with your trailer
2. FREIGHT DELIVERY: We deliver or hire a professional carrier for your delivery ($300-$2,000+ depending on distance and machine)

All 48 continuous states. We primarily serve West Coast (CA, OR, NV) and East Coast (PA, NY, NJ, MD, DE, VA) but can ship anywhere.

Generally we use hotshot trailers with ramps to do deliveries. These trailers are longer and require room to turn around. If you live on a 1-lane, dead end road, contact us for options. We unload the machine safely at the curb or in your driveway (if accessible). You'll need to help unload optional accessories you buy.

• ECO models: 1-year limited parts warranty covering manufacturing defects
• PRO models: 2-year limited parts warranty covering manufacturing defects
• All models: Engine warranty is separate from the engine manufacturer. Normal wear items and operator damage not covered.

Detailed warranty coverage documentation is available upon request.

Contact us immediately. We'll troubleshoot and coordinate shipping replacement parts if under warranty. If we have the part in stock at one of our locations, we can normally deliver in 2-3 business days. If out of stock, factory parts take about 2 weeks to arrive. Out of warranty, we can still help with parts and troubleshooting.

Reach out to us with photos or a video of the issue and a picture of your serial plate. We'll submit the claim on your behalf. You can also file directly with Rippa if you prefer at workorder.rippa.com

We stock some common parts and are expanding our parts inventory in 2026. Engines can be serviced at any Briggs & Stratton dealer or small engine repair shop. For Kubota diesel models, look for small engine Kubota dealers (not Kubota tractor dealerships - we use the gray small engine Kubotas, not orange tractor Kubotas). Hydraulics use standard components any heavy equipment mechanic can work on.

All sales are final due to the nature of heavy equipment - no returns or exchanges once delivered.

R10: 5-6ft, R15: 6ft, R18: 7.5ft, R22: 8ft+, R32: 10ft

Important: The deeper you dig, the less power you have. If you regularly need to dig at max depth (6ft+ trenches), consider going up one model size for better performance and faster cycle times.

• Daily: Check fluids, grease points
• Every 50 hours: Oil change, air filter
• Every 250 hours: Hydraulic oil, inspect hoses

Full schedule in manual.

Typically $200-$900+ per track depending on model. Contact us for current pricing for your specific machine. Track lifespan varies based on usage, terrain, maintenance, and storage conditions.

• R10-5: 28-32" (fits 3ft gate)
• R15-4: 39" (needs 42"+ gate)

Most have expandable tracks that retract for tight access.

GAS: Cheaper ($1,500-$2,000 less), louder, easier DIY maintenance. Less power and torque - projects take longer. Good for homeowners on a budget doing occasional projects, or contractors growing their business.

DIESEL: More power and torque, 40% better fuel economy, longer engine life (2x-3x longer), runs smoother under load. Quieter at working RPM. Better for daily use, commercial work, or if you value time savings.

Horsepower (HP) measures peak power, but torque measures pulling/digging force - and that's what matters for excavators. Diesel engines produce much more torque at lower RPMs than gas engines, even with similar HP ratings.

Example: A 13 HP gas engine might make 18 ft-lbs of torque at 3,600 RPM. A 13 HP diesel makes 25+ ft-lbs of torque at just 2,200 RPM. The diesel has 40% more digging force and runs smoother.

Don't compare gas HP to diesel HP directly - they're different power delivery curves. Compare gas models to gas models, diesel to diesel. A lower-HP diesel will usually outdig a higher-HP gas engine.

Check your operator manual for specific recommendations:

• Engine oil: 15W-40 diesel oil (common for diesel models)
• Hydraulic oil: ISO 46 hydraulic oil
• Grease: NLGI Grade 2 Lithium Grease