7 Essential DIY Outdoor Projects for Landowners

How to Use Bobcat Equipment on a DIY Outdoor Project

You want to build something that’ll outlast you. Something you can pass down to your kids and grandkids. That means equipment. Here are seven outdoor projects that you can take on as a landowner with a Bobcat compact track loader or compact excavator and the necessary attachments. These projects can all be done with new, used, or rental machines. 

1. Build a Gravel Driveway

• Equipment: compact track loader (T66, T770), bucket, landplane 
• Start here: Use stakes or marking paint to lay out your path. 
• Then: Remove the topsoil with your bucket. Grade it with the landplane. Add your gravel in layers, smoothing between each one. 
• Operator’s Tip: Use your landplane in reverse to pull gravel into low spots before your final pass. This will give you more control and even out material faster. 

2. Install Water or Electric Lines

• Equipment: mini excavator (E35, E42) or compact track loader (T66), trencher 
• Start here: Map your route and mark utilities before digging. 
• Then: For water lines, dig a trench deep enough to stay below the frost line in your area. Lay in pipe, then backfill with clean soil or sand. For electric lines, dig to the code-required depth (often 24–36 inches), lay conduit, and backfill. 
• Operator’s Tip: When trenching, start shallow until the chain is fully biting, then ease into full depth. That will keep the chain from hopping. 

3. Clear Land

• Equipment: compact track loader (T595, T66), Brushcat rotary cutter, drum mulcher, brush saw 
• Start here: Mark the trees that you want to keep. 
• Then: If your brush isn’t very thick, use the rotary cutter to clear the land. If you’re dealing with thicker brush and small trees, a drum mulcher is a better option for you. Or, if you have multiple larger trees, cut them out with the brush saw attachment. 
• Operator’s Tip: When working with any of these land-clearing attachments, make sure that bystanders are at a safe distance away. Debris can fly farther than you might think, especially if you’re using a drum mulcher. 

4. Shape the Dirt (Water Drainage, Privacy, Pond)

• Equipment: compact track loader (T66, T76), dozer blade/bucket, excavator (E35) 
• Start here: Walk the area and plan your goals (ex: drain water away from buildings, build up a berm for privacy, or carve out space for a small pond). 
• Then: Use your loader with a bucket or dozer blade to rough in berms and slopes. Switch to the excavator for digging and stacking dirt where you need depth (like for pond edges). Finish with light passes to smooth and blend everything together. 
• Operator’s Tip: Keep slopes gradual to prevent erosion and pooling. A steady grade will keep water moving and pond edges stable. 

5. Build a Concrete Pad

• Equipment: skid-steer loader (S66) or compact track loader (T595), bucket, dozer blade/grader, vibratory roller 
• Start here: Mark off your pad with stakes and string lines. Dig down to the right depth and clear away sod, roots, or loose soil. 
• Then: Use your loader with a bucket for rough grading, then switch to a dozer blade or grader attachment to level more precisely. Compact the base layer with a vibratory roller so the concrete won’t shift or crack. Once forms are in place, pour and spread the concrete evenly, then smooth with a screed and finish with a float or trowel. 
• Operator’s Tip: Keep the base slightly damp (not muddy) before pouring. This helps the concrete cure evenly and prevents the ground from pulling moisture out too fast. 

6. Plant Trees

• Equipment: compact excavator (E20, E35), auger, bucket 
• Start here: Mark your planting spots, keeping in mind the tree’s full size and root spread. Don’t forget to also mark utility lines. 
• Then: Use the auger to dig uniform holes. For larger trees, switch to the bucket to scoop out wider spaces. Drop in the tree, backfill with loose soil, and gently tap it down. 
• Operator’s Tip: Dig holes twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Trees settle over time, so if you set them too low, you could see root rot later. 

7. Plant a Garden Bed or Food Plot

• Equipment: skid-steer loader (S64), tiller, bucket, seeder or spreader 
• Start here: Mark your garden or plot area and clear it with the bucket. Remove rocks, sod, or heavy weeds before you start working the soil. 
• Then: Hook up the tiller to loosen and prep the soil. Then, use a seeder or spreader to evenly lay seeds. 
• Operator’s Tip: Avoid working soil that’s too wet. Dry, crumbly soil makes for a healthier bed and better seed germination. 

Ready to Get to Work?

You shouldn’t have to hire someone to do a large-scale outdoor project on your land. All you need to do is purchase or rent the right machine. In our experience, Bobcat compact track loaders and excavators are easy to use. They’re powerful and reliable. They build things that last. If you’re ready to begin your next DIY outdoor project, we have the equipment you need. 

Get started at White Star Machinery today.