The Doosan DX27z mini-digger was stolen in the Roman Road area overnight between August 4 and 5.
Detectives investigating the theft on Friday subsequently found the mini-digger after a tracker installed on the vehicle was activated.
Lancashire Police said enquiries were ongoing to identify the offenders.
If you have any information regarding this or other plant machinery thefts, email [email protected] or call 101 and ask to be referred to the Ribble Valley Rural Task Force.