Home improvement / Landscaping / Mechanical engineering
A retaining wall, a patio, and an education in heavy equipment
A year-long outdoor build that brought excavation, hydraulic-cylinder rebuilding, and diesel-engine work into the same project.
The project
Over about a year in 2022–2023, I rebuilt a retaining wall and built a patio and firepit area. To carry out the work, I bought a mini-excavator and a Bobcat.
The machines became projects, too
Owning the equipment brought another set of skills into the build. I had to learn how to rebuild hydraulic cylinders and work on a diesel engine.
The project included both the outdoor space and the mechanical work that came with the equipment needed to build it. I completed the retaining wall and patio/firepit project in 2023.