Summer is the one time of year when land improvement projects across Blackfoot and Southeast Idaho are really in full swing. Whether you’re prepping a rural property for construction, sorting out drainage issues, expanding usable space or just trying to boost your curb appeal, having the right equipment at your disposal can make all the difference in terms of both getting the job done and the quality of the finished product.
Renting equipment is an option that’s attractive to many property owners and contractors, as it allows access to top-of-the-line machinery without breaking the bank on long-term ownership costs. Mountain West Rentals offers a range of equipment that can help you complete summer land improvement projects safely and efficiently all over the Blackfoot area.
Why Summer Is Just the Right Time for Land Improvement Projects
For one thing, the warmer weather and drier ground conditions make summer an ideal time to tackle any outdoor property improvements. Stable weather conditions mean you can get the job done consistently without delays caused by slushy or frozen ground.
Some common summer land improvement projects you might want to consider in Blackfoot include:
- Terracing
- Site preparation
- Draining and grading
- Landscaping projects
- Installing a new driveway
- Giving the property a general clean-up
- Trenching for utilities
- Preparing a site for construction
Each of these projects requires its own unique equipment in order to get the job done right.
The Equipment You Need for Terracing and Site Preparation
Before you can even start thinking about construction or landscaping, many properties need some serious land leveling and site preparation work done. Uneven ground can create all sorts of problems – from drainage issues to reduced usability to the potential for future building projects being more complicated than they need to be.
Skid Steers – Workhorses of the Land Improvement Industry
Skid steers are among the most versatile machines on the market for land improvement work. They can be used to:
- Move soil and gravel
- Spread fill material
- Level small to medium-sized areas
- Clear out debris
- Prepare building sites
Their compact size lets you get the job done efficiently in tight spaces where bigger equipment wouldn’t have a chance.
Mini Excavators – Perfect for Digging and Similar Work
When it comes to digging, trench-cutting or removing obstacles, mini excavators provide a level of precision and agility that’s hard to match. Some of the common uses for them include:
- Removing stumps
- Digging drainage ditches
- Moving dirt
- Preparing foundations
- Reshaping your landscape features
Mini excavators are particularly valuable for residential and rural properties where there just isn’t a lot of space to maneuver.
Grading and Drainage Improvement Equipment – Making Sure Your Property Drains Properly
Getting the grading right on a property is one of the most important things you can do for your land. Poor drainage can lead to all sorts of problems, from erosion to standing water to long-term damage to your home.
Tractors – Working the Grading and Land Management Tasks
Tractors are brilliant at helping you get the grading and land management work done. They can be used to:
- Level the surface
- Prepare the soil
- Move materials around
- Do some serious groundwork on large areas of your property
Their versatility makes them a vital tool for anyone with acreage or who is working on larger properties throughout the Blackfoot area.
Compaction Equipment – Getting the Soil and Materials Right
After you’ve done your grading and filling work, compactors are a must-have to keep the soil and aggregate materials stable. They’re commonly used on:
- Driveway construction
- Gravel pad installation
- Site preparation
- Landscaping projects
- Walkways and patio bases
Compactors are essential for stable compaction, which is what will prevent settling and help you create a durable finished surface.
Equipment for Landscaping Projects – When Summer Hits Peak Season
Summer is also a time when landscaping improvements really come to the fore. Property owners often use this time to boost their curb appeal, improve the functionality of their outdoor spaces, and boost their property value.
Skid Steers for Landscaping – Super-Useful
Skid steers are a top choice for landscaping projects. They can handle all sorts of tasks including:
- Moving decorative rock
- Transporting mulch
- Spreading topsoil
- Clearing brush
- Creating landscape contours
Their flexibility means you can complete multiple tasks with one machine.
Lawn and Garden Equipment – Taking Care of Your Outdoor Spaces
Having the right lawn and garden equipment can make a huge difference when it comes to maintaining your outdoor spaces, and getting them looking their best.
Some of the things these tools are useful for include:
- Lawn renovation
- Soil preparation
- Cleaning up the property
- Seasonal landscape maintenance
Driveway and Access Road Improvements – Summer’s a Good Time for This Too
Many rural properties in the Blackfoot area rely on gravel driveways and private access roads, which can get damaged over the course of winter and spring. Summer’s a great time to do some work on these to get them in better shape.
Equipment that’s commonly used for these sorts of driveway improvement projects includes:
- Skid steers
- Tractors
- Compactors
- Utility equipment for hauling and spreading materials
These tools let you create smoother driving surfaces, improve drainage, and save on future maintenance costs.
Property Cleanup and Land Clearing – Before You Can Even Start
Before you can do any major improvements on your property, there’s often a lot of cleanup and clearing work that needs to be done first.
Some of the common tasks that come up include:
- Clearing brush and vegetation
- Getting rid of debris
- Relocating materials
- Preparing the work area for construction
Renting the right equipment can let you get this work done much faster than if you were relying on manual labor, and save you a lot of time in the process.
Why You Might Want to Consider Renting Equipment for Summer Land Improvement
Purchasing equipment for the occasional project can be a budget-buster in so many ways. Between the acquisition costs, maintenance, storage and transportation, it can be a lot more trouble than it’s worth.
Renting, on the other hand, gives you the chance to work with professional-grade machinery without breaking the bank on long-term ownership costs or getting bogged down with ongoing maintenance responsibilities. And let’s not forget, when the project is over, the equipment goes back to the rental company. Great flexibility for a season’s worth of work.
Partner with Mountain West Rentals for All Your Summer Projects
Whether you’re prepping land for a future build, digging a trench for better drainage, upgrading that driveway, or tackling a seriously ambitious landscaping project, having the right gear is crucial if you want to pull it all off. Mountain West Rentals stocks up a pretty impressive arsenal of equipment to help property owners & contractors get the job done on our summer land-improvement projects in Blackfoot and across Southeast Idaho. We provide rental equipment in Blackfoot, Rexburg, Idaho Falls and Chubbuck.
By picking the right equipment for the job, you’ll be able to power through your to-do list a lot faster, end up with better results, and make the most of that super-busy Idaho summer construction & landscaping season before it slips away.