Picture a steamy Louisiana morning. Red clay from your latest jobsite cakes on the soles of your boots. You’re ready to plant a tree and finish a hardscaping project, but need to be sure your equipment operates as expected. How fast and well you complete a job determines your profit margins. Finding the best value equipment for landscaping projects helps you operate efficiently and improve your bottom line.
Louisiana’s long growing season and focus on green infrastructure provide a steady, and sometimes lucrative, market for landscaping companies. From restoration of coastal wetlands to working on the lawns of sprawling estates, professionals must deal with a mix of heavy precipitation, high humidity and sticky clay. Durable equipment is a necessity.
Working efficiently is the bottom line, as even a single piece of broken equipment can cause projects to stall. For contractors, this comes down to machines that are affordable but will withstand the heat and humidity of Louisiana’s climate, with the lowest possible downtime and repair costs.
Table of Contents
Methodology
Landscape professionals must consider multiple factors when determining the best locations to acquire the necessary equipment for landscaping projects. Each was chosen for several reasons.
- Durable in Louisiana’s heavy clay soil, hot and humid climate, and coastal areas
- Ideal for basic landscaping jobs like grading, trenching and moving materials
- Equipment has local service and parts availability to reduce downtime
- Financing flexibility to preserve cash flow
- Resale value and long-term reliability
Data came from manuals, product catalogs, third-party reviews and discussion forums to determine which companies offered the best options in the state.
What Is the Best Value Equipment for Landscaping Projects in Louisiana?
The best equipment varies, depending on the scope of a project. However, nearly every landscaper will use some key heavy machines at one point or another. Here are the best uses for various options, along with recommendations on where to rent or buy the item for excellent value.
1. Skid Steer Loaders
A skid steer loader is a compact engine-powered machine with lift arms that is capable of installing various attachments. Its small size and zero-turn radius make it useful in small residential areas or congested commercial sites. Landscapers use skid steers for grading, loading mulch or gravel, clearing debris and, in the winter, removing snow from roads in northern Louisiana parishes.
The best option is the Cat® 262D3 Skid Steer Loader. Louisiana Cat offers new and certified used Cat skid steers with hydraulic controls and high breakout forces. The Cat 262D3 lifts feature best-in-class capacity and a sealed cab, designed to keep operators comfortable and reduce fatigue. Louisiana Cat supports each purchase. It provides adaptable financing, technician service at the worksite and a stock of parts in Baton Rouge, Lafayette and New Orleans.
2. Backhoe Loaders
Backhoe loaders feature a front loader for material handling and a rear excavator arm for digging. Landscapers use them for trenching utilities, planting trees and backfilling at construction sites.
The best backhoe loader is the John Deere 310L. Doggett Machinery Services is Louisiana’s dealer for John Deere backhoes, offering smooth hydraulics and fuel economy to suit any working environment. It provides full-service maintenance programs, parts replacements, and lease or rental agreements. Doggert’s established reputation at its Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Shreveport branches has made it an equipment partner of choice with municipal and private landscape maintenance crews throughout southern Louisiana.
3. Compact Track and Multiterrain Loaders
Compact track and multiterrain loaders are similar to skid steers, but have rubber tracks for better floatation on Louisiana’s soft clay or wet soil. Landscapers can use them for soil transport, irrigation pipe trenching or transporting materials in areas that wheeled vehicles cannot access.
The Cat 259D3 Compact Track Loader from Louisiana Cat is a suitable option. This machine is well-suited for working in swampy and flood-prone areas, thanks to its good traction and low ground pressure. A suspended undercarriage system reduces vibrations and protects turf. Louisiana Cat’s rental and used equipment enable small companies to benefit from cutting-edge equipment, thus providing in-field service to customers statewide.
4. Wheel Loaders and Compact Wheel Loaders
Wheel loaders, both large and small, feature a bucket mounted on the front that is used to lift bulk materials and other items, such as sand, dirt, gravel and mulch. It is an efficient tool for moving materials around large jobsites and landscape supply yards.
The wheel loader is available for rent from Mad Pelican Equipment & Rentals LLC, which serves Monroe and offers a rental catalog that includes dozers, excavators and log loaders. Landscapers frequently rely on Mad Pelican, as renting is very convenient and less expensive for items used infrequently.
5. Small and Mini Hydraulic Excavators
Compact excavators can dig deep and rotate 360 degrees inside the work envelope and work within very tight, enclosed spaces. Mini excavators are used for a variety of landscaping activities, including irrigation trenches, pond excavation, footings for retaining walls and tree planting.
The Cat 302.7 CR Mini Excavator, available through Louisiana Cat, is the best mini excavator for overall performance. It features hydraulic efficiency and is easy to transport. Its small radius construction without overhang makes these machines ideal for residential and tight commercial applications. Louisiana Cat’s technician training program and quick parts availability keep these machines productive and profitable.
6. Telehandlers
Telehandlers, or telescopic handlers, are a hybrid between a forklift and a crane. Their extendable booms can lift material several stories high and much farther than a typical loader. Landscapers use telehandlers to move large planters, stack pallets of sod, and set heavy pavers and stones at higher elevations.
A stellar choice is the Doosan DL08 Telehandler. Deep South Equipment Co. has stores in Lafayette, Shreveport and Lake Charles. The company assists with the Doosan DL08 series lifting and balancing loads. Deep South sells and rents material handling equipment on a short-term basis to construction and landscaping businesses. Technicians often repair machinery in the field because many companies have multiple jobs ongoing at any given time.
7. Dozers
A dozer is a track-type tractor equipped with a blade that can move large amounts of dirt or other materials. In landscaping, they are used for leveling, cutting slopes and clearing brush before fine grading.
You can’t go wrong with the John Deere 650K Dozer from Doggett Machinery Services, which features hydrostatic transmission to control speed and grade smoothly and accurately. The maintenance, parts and operator training provided by Doggett allow for greater productivity and safety on the jobsite. Doggett’s service centers throughout Louisiana are also popular with contractors for their responsiveness and quick turnarounds.
8. Mulchers and Brushcutters
Mulchers or brushcutters quickly convert brush and small trees into mulch. Landscapers often use them for land clearing to maintain rights-of-way, as well as to clean up debris after storms.
The Cat® HM115C Mulcher Attachment is an available attachment on all Cat skid steers and compact track loaders sold by Louisiana Cat. It provides the cutting power needed in areas of thicker vegetation. This attachment allows existing loaders to be converted into land-clearing machines. Because Louisiana Cat maintains a large inventory of Cat work tools, owners of existing core units can now enjoy additional versatility without incurring extra costs.
9. Stump Grinders
Stump grinders remove tree stumps by grinding them below ground level, allowing sod to be planted or other work to be done. Landscapers use them to finish sites.
The Bobcat SG60 Stump Grinder has been a popular choice among landscapers. H&E Equipment Services, headquartered in Baton Rouge and operating over 20 locations in Louisiana, maintains a large rental fleet. The Bobcat SG60 Stump Grinder attachment is compatible with skid steers or wheel loaders. It provides contractors with temporary access to specialized equipment, eliminating the need for long-term capital investment. H&E’s reputation for adaptable rental and a quick turnaround helps the company reach landscapers who may have seasonal demands on stump grinders.
Comparison Table — Louisiana’s Best Value Landscaping Equipment
If you need a quick reference cheat sheet, this table will let you see the best equipment for the job and where to rent or purchase it.
| Equipment | Best Model | Provider | Advantage | Service Area |
| Skid steer loader | Cat 252D3 | Louisiana Cat | Durability, versatility and high resale value | Statewide |
| Backhoe loader | John Deere 310L | Doggett Machinery Services | Flexible leasing options and reliability | Major Louisiana cities |
| Compact track loader | Cat 259D3 | Louisiana Cat | Traction on wet soil and excellent fuel efficiency | Statewide |
| Wheel loaders | Rentals | Mad Pelican Equipment & Rentals | Plentiful inventory for rentals | Monroe and surrounding areas |
| Small and mini hydraulic excavators | Cat 302.7 CR | Louisiana Cat | Compact design with precision | Statewide |
| Telehandler | Doosan DL08 | Deep South Equipment Co. | Strong lift capacity | Lafayette, Shreveport and Lake Charles |
| Dozers | John Deere 650K | Doggett Machinery Services | Powerful machinery for smooth grading | Multiple locations around Louisiana |
| Mulchers and brushcutters | Cat HM115C | Louisiana Cat | Compatible attachments and durable | Statewide |
| Stump grinders | Bobcat SG60 | H&E Equipment Services | Rental flexibility | Over 20 branches across Louisiana |
Practical Considerations
Contractors choose equipment not by selecting the largest or most powerful piece, but rather by matching the size to the job’s requirements, including the jobsite and the conditions the equipment will encounter daily. Louisiana has sandy soil near the coast and clay inland. Track machines, such as compact track loaders and mini excavators, are better at distributing their weight and disturbing the ground less, thereby avoiding ruts and turf destruction, compared to wheeled machines.
Transport and site accessibility are often issues. Many landscape contractors have small to medium-sized machines that are easy to load and transport on a trailer to the site, saving time, fuel and allowing crews to move quickly from one location to the next.
Landscapers should consider the total cost of ownership for their actual workflow. Buying equipment gives the business owner more control and allows them to secure the best price in the long term, but renting or leasing may be viable if work fluctuates seasonally. Short-term rental or rent-to-own options through Louisiana Cat, Doggett Machinery and H&E Equipment may offer cost savings. Knowing how much the machine will be used throughout the year and how well it can perform various tasks with attachments will save money by avoiding overpayment for a machine that is underutilized.
Fleet Management and Return on Investment (ROI)
The cost of equipment and maintenance is one of the most significant investments that a landscape contractor makes, so fleet management techniques have a substantial impact on profitability. Preventive maintenance enhances the performance and lifespan of equipment, while service agreements with dealers help minimize unexpected repair costs. For example, Louisiana Cat offers on-site diagnostics and preventive maintenance programs that help contractors anticipate problems and prevent downtime on the jobsite.
Fuel efficiency cuts costs on long working days. The hydraulic and eco-mode systems of the Cat D3 and Deere L series are examples of technological advancements that enable these machines to operate more efficiently over extended periods. For landscapers seeking competitive commercial work, a slight reduction in operating costs per hour can equate to thousands of dollars and a higher ROI.
Resale value could also play a role, with Caterpillar, John Deere and Bobcat holding theirs well due to quality and parts availability. A used mini-excavator or compact loader in good condition can have a relatively high resale value, which can offset the cost of acquiring a replacement machine. Louisiana Cat maintains a certified used inventory program that guarantees each preowned unit has passed a rigorous inspection process.
Finally, comfort and safety pay dividends in operator productivity. In the heat and humidity of Louisiana’s long summers, closed cabs with improved visibility and ergonomic controls, along with air conditioning, help reduce fatigue. Likewise, if service points are easily accessible from the ground, downtime is minimized. High-value equipment keeps crews comfortable, productive and safe through every phase of a landscaping project.
Creating Beautiful Landscaping With the Proper Tools
The most crucial aspect of any landscaping construction project begins long before planting trees or dumping dirt. It starts with the decision to purchase equipment that is suitable for the task. Louisiana contractors face the challenging site conditions of soft soils, frequent rainfall and high humidity, which can affect the performance of both machines and personnel. When companies choose quality machines, a crew can create the type of beautiful yards that bring word-of-mouth referrals.
Business owners who consider equipment purchases holistically and manage their fleet with thoughts beyond simple price can position themselves for growth. Careful selection of the best value equipment for landscaping projects will help professionals handle larger jobs and better meet customer needs, while also building a reputation for reliability.
