Plain-English guide

Hire terms and return guide

This summary helps you prepare for a smooth handover and return. Your Equipment Hire Agreement contains the full terms and is reviewed and signed electronically as part of the handover process.

Before handover

• Tell us what the job involves, the location, access and preferred dates.
• Read the Equipment Hire Agreement and ask us any questions.
• Bring your physical driver licence for the ID check.
• For approved customer collection, the K008-3 and U17-3 require at least 2,500 kg braked towing capacity and the U25-3 requires at least 3,500 kg. A compatible functioning electric brake controller, current full open driver licence and comprehensively insured tow vehicle are required. Customer collection remains subject to Digger2Hire approval of the exact vehicle and arrangement.

Delivery and customer collection

Delivery is the usual arrangement where practical and is subject to safe access, scheduling and the confirmed service area. For delivered hires, Digger2Hire normally retains the plant trailer unless otherwise agreed beforehand.

The customer must check that their insurance remains valid for the proposed towing arrangement and that they have appropriate cover for their potential liability relating to the hired trailer, excavator and attachments. Digger2Hire does not interpret the customer’s insurance policy or confirm that the customer’s insurance is adequate.

Approved customer collection may be available by appointment. The collection location, towing requirements and any trailer supplied will be confirmed for the particular hire.

Handover and payment

We confirm your ID, record the machine and attachment condition, walk you through the controls, safety features and basic checks and take payment. The machine is released after those steps are complete and the required hire documents have been signed.

Safe use and faults

Operate the machine safely, follow the supplied instructions and use it only for suitable work. Do not modify, disassemble or tamper with the machine, attachments or safety equipment. If damage occurs, a warning light appears or the machine does not seem right, stop using it and contact Digger2Hire immediately before continuing.

Damage, insurance and security

The Hirer is responsible for loss of or physical damage to the Equipment while it is in the Hirer’s possession, custody or control, including accidental damage, except to the extent caused by fair wear and tear, a pre-existing condition recorded at handover, an inherent or mechanical defect not caused or contributed to by the Hirer, or an act or omission of Digger2Hire.

Digger2Hire’s insurance does not provide the Hirer with accidental-damage cover for the Equipment while it is on hire. The Hirer is responsible for arranging any insurance appropriate to their responsibilities for the Hire Period and must not assume that Digger2Hire’s insurance limits those responsibilities.

While the Equipment is in the Hirer’s possession, the Hirer must take reasonable steps to protect it from theft, loss and unauthorised use. When unattended, remove all keys and keep them securely away from the Equipment, take reasonable precautions appropriate to the location and circumstances to secure the Equipment against theft or unauthorised use, and do not leave it unreasonably exposed to theft.

If any Equipment is stolen or suspected stolen, notify Digger2Hire immediately, report the matter to Police as soon as reasonably practicable, obtain a Police event or report number, and reasonably cooperate with Digger2Hire and Police in relation to the incident.

Return condition

• Return the machine clean enough for its condition to be inspected.
• Return every attachment, pin, key and supplied item.
• Report any damage, fault or missing item promptly.
• Reasonable wear from proper use is different from avoidable damage, misuse, loss or excessive cleaning.

Return timing and fuel

We will agree the delivery, collection or return window with you when confirming the booking. We aim to be flexible within reason. We will also confirm the return and fuel requirements for your hire before handover.

Returning the Equipment before the agreed end of the Hire Period does not automatically reduce or refund the agreed Hire Fee. Any agreed credit or refund will be confirmed by Digger2Hire, subject to rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.

Ownership

Digger2Hire or the Owner identified for the hire retains ownership of the Equipment at all times. The Hirer must not sell, transfer, subhire, lend, pledge, mortgage, encumber, conceal or otherwise deal with the Equipment as if it were their own.

PPSR and longer hires

Where the hire creates a security interest under the Personal Property Securities Act, we may register it on the PPSR to protect our interest in the Equipment. You must provide accurate details and reasonable assistance with that registration. Longer hires and extensions require our written confirmation and a review of any PPSR protection needed. Not every short hire requires PPSR registration. See clauses 3 and 15A of the Equipment Hire Agreement.

Insolvency and equipment recovery

Tell us promptly if you become aware of your insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation or the appointment of an administrator, restructuring practitioner or receiver. Provide the Equipment’s location and the appointed person’s contact details if known. When the hire ends, cooperate with its return or lawful collection and safe site access. Termination and recovery remain subject to insolvency law, required permissions and court orders. Reasonable recovery costs caused by your breach may be payable under clause 16 of the full agreement.

Images and equipment shown

Images are for illustrative purposes only. The machine, attachments, trailer and other equipment supplied may differ in appearance from those shown. The equipment and inclusions confirmed for your hire are recorded in your Hire Schedule and hire agreement.

This page is a practical summary and does not replace the signed Equipment Hire Agreement and Hire Schedule for your particular hire.

Payment and cancellation

The initial hire payment is due at handover. We do not provide credit accounts. Approved extensions and other charges that can be determined at return are payable at return. No cancellation charge applies before handover.

Inspection and damage resolution at return

We inspect the equipment with you, record its condition and obtain the return signature before collecting it. If we agree a damage settlement on the spot, we record the damage, agreed amount and payment received in the return record.

Where recorded damage needs a repair assessment before it can be priced, we mark it as awaiting assessment. Collection and payment of known charges do not settle that outstanding claim. We promptly obtain an assessment and provide an itemised written demand with supporting photographs, quotations or invoices as appropriate. Amounts properly payable under the agreement are due on receipt. Estimates are identified and reconciled against the final assessed cost, with overpayments refunded promptly. Your rights to dispute liability or the amount remain unchanged.

Your emailed handover and return PDFs include the relevant condition photos. Full-resolution originals remain available through your secure hire record.