While homeowners and developers may be developing vastly different spaces, both groups seem to have a similar goal: to create a landscape that feels like an “outdoor living space” and extend their interior design from the living room to the backyard.
Husbands, housewives, and company heads want a plan to transform their landscapes into living areas by changing terrains, removing trees, and installing utility lines or LED lights. As younger generations are becoming homeowners, inspired by Pinterest or Instagram projects, they vie for the ability to create their own outdoor oasis. But many of these customers don’t know where to begin. Landscapers and tree work professionals can partner with these types of customers to take the first steps towards creating new outdoor living spaces.
What Are Outdoor Living Spaces?
Outside living trends emphasize stylish, functional outdoor spaces for relaxing, dining, and entertaining — blending nature with comfort, sustainability, and modern design aesthetics. While every customer’s preferences will differ, here are a few steps homeowners or property managers may request:
- Design functional spaces, remove obstacles, add irrigation
- Use effective lighting for spring and summer dining
- Add structures like pergolas, decks, or patios
In the equipment business, we’ve experienced many more homeowners or landscapers looking for affordable equipment that will help to complete tasks involved in crafting unique outdoor living spaces. The size and scope of the project always affect a dealer’s recommendations for equipment and support solutions.
When a landscaper has all the details from a homeowner or property manager, they can talk to their trusted equipment dealer for specific recommendations. In my experience, two compact but powerful machines are usually selected for these types of projects: pedestrian trenchers and stump cutters. These machines can be compact yet powerful tools for cost-conscious landscapers.
More on living space installation at GreenIndustryPros.comMixing Hardscapes with Other Materials - Here are a few design ideas to inspire you and your clients as you create their dream outdoor living space. Top Elements of Outdoor Living Spaces - Results of landscape contractor responses to recent webinar on outdoor living. Best Practices for Extending Trencher Component Life - Users looking to extend the life of trenchers must conduct routine maintenance and equipment care. The Importance of Stump Grinder Safety - Training your crew to be conscientious of safety procedures while operating stump grinders prevents injury to the property, and most importantly to your crew members. |
Why Select Trenchers and Stump Cutters?
Landscapers usually need to install underground utilities like LED lights or water lines and clear old or dying trees. Both trenchers and stump cutters are great options for completing these tasks. Here’s a quick review of these two machines.
Walk-behind trenchers are ideal for digging narrow trenches for irrigation systems, electrical lines, or drainage pipes. It allows precise control and is suitable for residential or small commercial projects where space is limited.
After removing trees, the stump cutter grinds down the remaining stumps to below ground level, a crucial smoothing step for other elements like gardens or decks.
Both these machines help landscapers to prepare the site for new installations that make an outdoor living space possible. In fact, landscapers whom we’ve partnered with said these machines are particularly useful in transforming previously wooded areas into an accessible space.
Stump Cutters: Quickly Transforming Terrains
Landscapers usually opt for these machines because they increase an operator’s day-to-day productivity, quickly removing stumps without the additional wood chip clean up work. Stump cutters are designed to reduce downtime with more fuel capacity and chip containment. Consider features such as:
- Large fuel capacity, look for 18+ gallons
- Large chip containment, often represented in feet
- Cutting adjustability — find a dependable linkage system to increase cutting height, depth, and straight-line width to grind at more angles
- A four-wheel drive and differential lock should help operators run machines on rough terrain with minimal ground distribution
- Intelligent control systems should be designed to handle higher torques without causing extra wear and tear while providing wheel rate to help create a consistent cut
- Integrated safety systems — machines that can detect an operator's presence decrease potential risks
Walk-behind Trenchers: Versatile Utility Installers
A pedestrian or walk-behind trencher can work on multiple terrains, soil types, and textures. These trenchers have "no tool needed" access to serviceable components, making maintenance easier for operators at any level of experience. Consider features such as:
- Different teeth options — Cupping teeth are designed to scoop materials, while rotary cutters break up rocks
- Soil chains work best with cupping teeth
- Rock chains work best with rotary cutters, which have carbide-tipped teeth
- An intuitive and responsive control/steering system
Finally, landscapers should search out a dealer they can trust. A good dealer will be able to partner with landscapers looking to capture the attention of this growing segment of outdoor lifestyle seekers to find the machines required to make a customer's dream come true.
