Comparing 1.5T mini excavators for tight residential work

[alex.bennt]

I have a few years of experience working on tight-access renovation and landscaping jobs using smaller machines. I am considering stepping up to a 1.5T mini excavator, for example the Rippa R15. I want to understand how others evaluate machines in this weight class for hydraulic flow versus digging performance, side-access width for backyard sites, and long-term maintenance and reliability.

I am curious about real-world experience with similar compact machines. What specs or features have you found most important on site?

For reference, I looked at a spec breakdown for the Rippa R15 in Australia.

Any feedback or insights would be appreciated.

Alex