Most backyard projects are decided by one number: the width of your narrowest gate. Measure it before you pick a machine.
What fits through what
| Opening | Machines that fit |
|---|---|
| Standard doorway (about 30 to 36 in) | Bobcat E10 excavator (28 in with tracks in), 19 ft scissor lift (30 in) |
| 36 in gate | Bobcat MT100 stand-on loader (35.6 in), Vermeer SC30TX stump grinder (35 in) |
| 6 ft gate | Bobcat E35 excavator (about 70 in), Bobcat T66-2 track loader (67 in) |
Measure the actual clear opening, not the fence. Posts, latches and gate hardware eat inches. If you are a few inches short, taking off one fence panel is often easier than going with a smaller machine for the whole job.
Protecting your lawn
- Tracks, not wheels. Our backyard machines (MT100, E10, E35, T66-2 and the stump grinder) run on rubber tracks, which spread the weight and do not tear up turf the way wheels do.
- Make wide, slow turns. Spinning in place is what scuffs grass. Three-point turns are gentler.
- Watch the weather. Soft, wet ground ruts. If it has rained hard, give it a day.
- Lay plywood over soft spots or the path you will drive most.
- Mark sprinkler heads, shallow lines and septic. Septic tanks and drain fields should not be driven over.
Common backyard projects and the right tools
- Moving dirt, mulch or stone: MT100 instead of wheelbarrows.
- New lawn or re-seeding: MT100 with the soil conditioner, or a tiller for small areas, then a lawn roller.
- Patio or walkway: see our paver patio guide.
- Fence: MT100 with an auger or the one-person Little Beaver auger.
- Stumps: the SC30TX stump grinder grinds below grade so you can plant over it.
- Drainage or utility trench: trencher or E10 excavator.
Getting it there
We deliver and pick up 7 days a week on our own trucks, from $85 round trip within 45 minutes of our Hamburg yard (delivery rates). If you haul it yourself, the MT100 rides on a 6×12 trailer with a 2″ ball and the stump grinder on our 5×10 trailer. See the towing guide.
Before you start
- Call MISS DIG 811 at least three business days before any digging, trenching or grinding below grade.
- Tell your neighbors if you will be working near a shared fence line.
Not sure which one fits your job? Call the counter at (810) 231-7368. We are open 7 days and happy to talk it through.