Is there any type of small equipment i can rent to shave off dirt??

Question

I have a small backyard that i need to fix andi need to shave off 3 to 4 inches of dirt for me to be able to plant grass seeds. Reason being my backyard is leveled with my door so water will collect right at the entrance. Any suggestions? Thank you!

Answer 1

Most rental centers have available certain compact loaders, such as the Toro Dingo for around $200 / day, and can deliver / pick it up for you at an additional cost of I think $50 total.

You can rent a larger unit, but the heavier the machine, the more damage can happen should something not go exactly as planned, that's without figuring soil compaction and tearing up the turf.

With the dingo you have to be careful, but as a rule you can touch or tap something lightly without doing too much collateral damage, if you take it real easy on the controls it will not tear up your yard either, but say a full-sized bucket loader is a whole different story (plus you can't see out the back past a certain point).

Anyway, I would make some calls and see who carries some loaders, then go take a look see and see which one you might want to use, a backhoe isn't entirely out of the question and I might recommend letting the employee's give their advice as well... Because, I'm just not entirely sure if the dingo would do what you have intended, but again I would make some calls.

Answer 2

a french drain or
just create a valley w/ a flat shovel so your runoff runs away from your door
don't tear apart your entire yard w/ a bobcat

Answer 3

Bobcat... have some fun with the neighbours yards too!... ;)