Question: Is there such a thing as a small walk behind tractor/bobcat

[Tidybuoy]

I recently had a new driveway done. In the process, I had the contractor dig up the asphalt that is behind my driveway (alley) and I am putting in gravel.

I need to level the dirt and remove a bit of dirt to accommodate a 4" deep geo-tex mesh that will help stabilize the gravel. This is going to require me to remove a couple inches of dirt that is currently very compact and difficult to remove. The area is fairly small at 20' x 30'

I'm wondering if there is such a thing as a small, walk behind, or riding mower size tractor that I could rent for both grading the area and spreading the gravel. I ordered 12 tons of gravel so I'm thinking that doing all this by shovel may take a while as well as do me in.

Any advice? I feel that a full size bobcat would be too big for this job.

This is the area:

[71T Targa]

Yes, something like the Toro Dingo, or Bobcat MT55 can be rented at a lot of places.

I don't think either have a great load capacity so you'll be making a LOT of trips to move 12T

[billybek]

https://www.compactpowerrents.com/rental-equipment/mini-skid-steer/mini-skid-steer-roc-800-1000-lb/

Might be easier to hire it out but being a small job you might have trouble getting anyone to come out.

It would be fun to play with one of the mini skid steers, so that would be a good reason to rent one!

[Tobra]

You can rent a 5 hp roto tiller that you walk behind that would do that job fine.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

This is going to require me to remove a couple inches of dirt that is currently very compact and difficult to remove. The area is fairly small at 20' x 30'

I'm wondering if there is such a thing as a small, walk behind, or riding mower size tractor that I could rent for both grading the area and spreading the gravel.

Any advice? I feel that a full size bobcat would be too big for this job.

A small tractor will move gravel, but what are you going to use to loosen the dirt? Nothing small is going to move compacted dirt. You would have to break it up with a roto tiller first, then move it. I would get a full sized bobcat and be done with it if I were you.

[Sooner or later]

Have some fun. Rent a Bobcat

[RWebb]

some walk behinds can take a backhoe to break u compacted dirt; switch to a bucket for loading/transport

is there access for a sit-on Bobcat or similar where the photo was taken from, or otherwise?

[gordner]

a small bobcat would do that just fine in a space that size, and will easily level the compacted dirt. Not the walk behind small unit, but even the smallest of the backpack style loaders will do that no problem. You sure don't need a full sized one that you couldn't turn in that space.

[cabmandone]

Nope! Never heard of such a thing.

[cabmandone]

Not sure how much space you really have to work but a T450 size Bobcat is pretty nice and will do more than the MT I posted the pics of. Just so you know, the 85 means 850lbs lift capacity. Toro makes a Dingo that will lift 1100 IIRC and it's a stand on machine too.

The MT55 has a lift capacity of 550 lbs. Toro, Vermeer, Bobcat all have stand on/walk behind machines.

I'd rent a T450 size track machine. They're compact in size but have good pushing/digging power. The MT's are nice but you're limited to such a small bucket that they take a while to get the work done.

[Zeke]

Rental yards might not have the real small stand up loaders because they aren't meant for real tough jobs which some renter probably thinks he can do and save some money. Nope, he breaks it instead. So smart money gets a real tractor that will handle what the bucket allows.

Like this:



The difference in rental costs is minimal. You can pull this around on a trailer with a 1/2 T truck.

[Scott Douglas]

My brother rented at tractor two weekends ago to muck out a stall.



Then he moved up the hill to move a pile of dirt.



Two hours in, he shut it down to take a break and the tractor started pissing hydraulic fluid. It hadn't leaked until it was shut off.



That ended our weekend fun with the tractor.
Lessons learned prior to this adventure were to always get the insurance when renting a tractor. Break downs can be pricey.

[porsche930dude]

Originally Posted by Tobra

You can rent a 5 hp roto tiller that you walk behind that would do that job fine.

thats what i was thinking. its not hard to shovel once the soil is loose

[MBAtarga]

I'd love me a Toro Dingo. I was able to borrow one from the landscaper prepping the front yard for sod. He left two overnight on the property and I got the go-ahead to use one. Moved some mulch around and also was able to do some light grading to improve drainage around my shop.
I've since rented the same from HD with all attachments to do some trenching for drainage lines.

[MBAtarga]

Originally Posted by porsche930dude

thats what i was thinking. its not hard to shovel once the soil is loose

He's got 12 tons of gravel to spread as well.

[Baz]

If you find find someone with a small machine with tracks like Nick posted #9 above.

Someone who would take cash and do small jobs.

That would be ideal.

Doing it yourself is "do-able" but would be my second choice.

Try calling a site contractor in your area and see if they know someone - or the bulk material yard you're getting your gravel from. They may know someone.

[RWebb]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5P4i-aytws

[cabmandone]

Zeke,
Believe it or not, the MT85 is more capable than the S70.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by porsche930dude

thats what i was thinking. its not hard to shovel once the soil is loose

So you rent a tiller to loosen the soil and then shovel the dirt around and then spread 12 tons of gravel? Geeze, I'm retired and even I don't have that much free time.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

I'd love me a Toro Dingo. I was able to borrow one from the landscaper prepping the front yard for sod. He left two overnight on the property and I got the go-ahead to use one. Moved some mulch around and also was able to do some light grading to improve drainage around my shop.
I've since rented the same from HD with all attachments to do some trenching for drainage lines.

I know a guy.....