Pool excavation is one of the most common reasons Perth owners and landscapers buy a 1.5–2 tonne excavator. With good planning, a compact machine can dig most residential pools efficiently — but the prep work matters as much as the digging.
Before you start
- Approvals: pools in WA generally need a building permit and compliant safety barriers. Check with your local council and pool builder first.
- Plans: get the exact shell dimensions, depth profile and set-out from your pool builder or engineer.
- Access: measure side access for the machine and plan where spoil will go.
- Services: locate all underground services.
Before you dig: lodge a free enquiry with Before You Dig Australia (byda.com.au) and locate underground services. See Before You Dig in WA.
Choosing a machine
| Pool size | Suggested machine | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Plunge pool / spa | R15 | Compact, fits most side access |
| Standard backyard pool | R18 PRO (2,420 mm dig depth) | Depth and hydraulic flow for rock |
| Larger pool, open access | R22 PRO | Power, 4,143 mm reach |
Attachments that help
- A digging bucket with teeth for the bulk dig
- A mud / toothless bucket for clean, flat floors and walls
- A ripper or hydraulic breaker if you hit limestone
Digging sequence
- Set out. Mark the outline with spray paint and pegs, allowing any over-dig your pool builder specifies.
- Plan the machine path. Start at the far end and work back towards your exit so you never trap the machine.
- Strip topsoil. Remove and stockpile topsoil separately for reuse in the garden.
- Dig in layers. Take 300–400 mm layers across the whole footprint rather than one deep hole.
- Check levels often. Use a laser level or string lines to keep depth and falls consistent.
- Finish with a clean bucket. Swap to a mud bucket for tidy walls and floor.
- Ramp out. Cut your exit ramp last, then backfill or remove it as required.
Managing spoil
A standard pool can create a surprising volume of spoil. Plan where it goes before you dig: stockpiles, a skip, trucks, or a tracked mini dumper like the RD06 to cart it through narrow access.
Perth ground conditions
Coastal sand digs quickly but walls slump, so dig close to the final line only when the builder is ready. Limestone near the coast and in some northern and southern suburbs needs ripping or breaking — build extra time into the schedule.
Safety
- Keep the machine back from the excavation edge — sand edges can collapse.
- Nobody in the hole while the machine is working.
- Fence off the excavation overnight.
See it in person: visit 10 Bushby St, Bellevue WA 6056 or call 1300 263 551. You can also send an enquiry.
Our Bellevue team can help you choose the right machine and attachments.
