If you have the skills for it, DIY landscaping is one of the most satisfying activities you can do around your house. From planting trees and flowers to building pavements and walkways to water features, fire pits and lighting, there’s so much you can do with your outdoor area. Sometimes, a project may grow bigger in scale than you planned for. But before you hire a professional, keep in mind there’s another option: dry hiring landscape equipment to get the job done.
Of course, there are issues to consider, like the difference between the excavation and grading of land. But if you’re armed with the right knowledge, the only obstacle that stands in your way is getting your hands on the right machinery for landscaping.
When you dry-hire landscaping equipment, you get all the benefits without having to pay someone to operate the equipment for you. It’s a cost-effective way to get the equipment you need in order to complete a weekend project.
So, what are the top types of equipment for a landscaping project? Here are some of the machines that can lighten your load in more ways than one and make your landscaping a lot easier.
Best Dry Hire Equipment For Landscaping
Some of the most useful kinds of dry hire landscaping equipment available for dry hire include:
Excavators
Excavators are versatile tools that come in handy for all kinds of projects, from big mining operations to small backyard DIY projects. They’re ideal for soil levelling, grading landscapes to the desired angle, demolishing structures and carving out shapes in the soil for pathways and driveways. Consisting of a bucket, dipper arm, boom and rotating house with cab, excavators are heavy-duty machines built for moving large amounts of heavy material.
If you have some tight spaces to work with, mini excavators can easily fit through slim spaces without putting too much pressure on the ground.
Bobcat loaders
Bobcat loaders come in two main varieties. Skid steer loaders, which have wheels, are better for general-purpose use or on hard or rocky ground. Posi-track loaders, which run on tracks, are better in muddier, softer or more slippery conditions. Bobcat loaders have a range of purposes and can perform a lot of tasks that are involved in earthmoving, including land levelling, removing debris and light excavation.
Bobcats are easy to manoeuvre, which makes them one of the most useful pieces of machinery for landscaping. As long as you choose the right bobcat for the terrain, both skid steers and posi-tracks perform equally well.
Mini dumpers
A mini dumper is an interesting tool: a smaller version of the dump truck that’s such a standard sight across construction sites–it takes the functionality of a wheelbarrow to the next level. Mini dumpers have large buckets on the front for loading and unloading materials. They are sturdy machines that are easy to move over rough ground.
Mini dumpers come in different sizes, shapes and load capacities and it’s important to choose one with the requirements to do your job. Smaller dumpers can hold about 200kgs of material, while the largest can handle a massive 1000kg.
Specialised attachments
There are countless other tools and attachments that come in handy as dry hire landscaping equipment. This includes hydraulic augers used to dig holes for trees, fence posts etc., rock breakers, tilt buckets, trenchers, mixers, mulchers and chippers.
This is not an exhaustive list, and not every landscaping job needs all of that equipment, but it’s a good starting point. If you’re starting a landscaping business or carrying out major work at home, there are some detailed lists of essential landscaping tools you can refer to.
Tips for Landscaping
When you have a home with a decent backyard, it’s satisfying to make your space your own. Here are some hints and suggestions for how to make your landscaping project a success:
Do your research
Research and planning are important parts of any project. It’s crucial to learn what kind of materials you’ll need for your landscaping, what plants will thrive in your garden and other factors. One thing to consider is the difference between excavation and the grading of land: while grading is reshaping the surface to create the slope or contour you want, excavating is digging and removing earth to make space for utilities and foundations.
Determine your wants and needs
Consider the space you have to work with and what you plan to use it for, whether it’s growing vegetables or spending time with family. The spots where the wind and sun land in your backyard will help determine where you should put things like fire pits and patios. Pick a focal point that you can imagine gathering around with your loved ones.
Plan out the hard materials
Your yard will not only include plants and flowers but also physical structures like decks, patios, fences, pathways and walls. Before you consider the shrubbery, it’s useful to plan for the hard stuff and the material you’ll need to build it.
Choose the right plants
Choosing plants you like is important, but make sure you choose plants that can thrive in the conditions as well. Choosing the right sort of plants for your soil and climate will spare you from disappointment when the seasons change.
Include water features
Landscaping water features like gentle waterfalls and pools both look good and create soothing sounds that add to the serenity of the environment.
Dry Hire Landscaping Equipment at Ryno Hire
Here at Ryno Hire, we specialise in providing dry-hire landscaping equipment for your DIY projects. Having been in the earthmoving industry for over a decade, we know a lot about choosing the right equipment for the job and can set you up with the machinery you need for just one day or for a whole year.
Our range includes excavators, bobcat loaders and specialised attachments for hire. And most of the time, all you need to hire out our equipment is a driver’s licence. If you have any further questions, contact the Ryno Hire team.
25 January 2024
