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Summer 2008

Variety of Machines Help Solve Jobsite Obstacles

Landscaper has Three Different Types of Loaders and an Excavator Ready to Tackle Projects



435 Compact Excavator

Stephen Rivieccio combines his Bobcat 435 compact excavator and A300 on landscaping sites for improved productivity.


For a landscaper, bidding on a job requires careful examination of potential time-wasting, profit-draining obstacles. Are there sensitive surfaces that my equipment could damage? What about trees or structures that I have to work around? Could rain shut down the project? How far do I have to transport materials?

Whatever the challenge, Stephen Rivieccio is ready. Rivieccio, the owner of Topseed Landscape Design, Milton, N.Y., has a versatile lineup of Bobcat® equipment — a T190 compact track loader, an A300 all-wheel steer loader, a 435 Zero House Swing (ZHS) excavator and an S300 skid-steer loader — backed by excellent support from his local dealer, Bobcat of Mid-Hudson, Newburgh, N.Y.

Topseed Landscape Design is a nine-year-old, fullservice landscape and lawn maintenance company located in the lower mid-Hudson Valley across the river from Poughkeepsie, N.Y. The firm specializes in the installation of patios, retaining walls and walkways.

Jobs have ranged from $200 patios to $200,000 major projects. “We do everything,” says Revieccio. For the first two years he used manual labor and wheelbarrows. Then he purchased a Bobcat 773 skidsteer loader. As his business grew, so did the jobsite obstacles he had to overcome.

“Not only does this equipment allow us to work faster and more efficiently, but it keeps employees from getting burned out”

The solution for Rivieccio: add Bobcat machines that would complement each other and allow him to work productively regardless of the situation. This is what he says about his Bobcat equipment and how they work together to accomplish his toughest goals:

T190: “With the 773 we were getting into situations where it was getting stuck. We needed to work in limited access areas that at times were muddy. The T190 was the answer. We use it to work where other equipment cannot go.”

A300: “When we have to transport materials across driveways, lawns and other sensitive surfaces, this is the perfect machine. It has plenty of power for lifting, carrying and digging, too.”

435: “We often use the excavator with a hydraulic breaker attachment for tearing out old patios. The ZHS feature allows us to work in confined areas without damaging property or the machine. The 435 has excellent breakout force.”

S300: “For even more lifting and carrying capacity, we moved up to the S300 from the 773. It can not only handle unloading and delivering of pavers and retaining wall blocks, but it is fast and responsive.”

Rivieccio says that this equipment allows his crews to do more precise work. “For example, in building a retaining wall we put in an 8-inch basin. When digging by hand it starts out at 8 inches, but by the afternoon it’s down to 2 inches. Using a loader or excavator enables us to maintain accuracy.”

His company has used Bobcat equipment to complete small and large retaining wall projects — from 18 inches high and 4 feet long to 12 to 15 feet high and 50 to 60 feet long.

Rivieccio has a crew of 20 during the busy season. “Not only does this equipment allow us to work faster and more efficiently, but it keeps employees from getting burned out. They don’t have to move heavy items around or do back-breaking labor. With the right equipment — and I certainly have that with Bobcat products — our employees can be very productive, regardless of jobsite obstacles.”