Contractors across the country are finding a better way to install fencing. They’re putting away hand-held augers and posthole diggers and replacing them with versatile and easy-to-use compact utility loaders.

Jim Rogers of Central Fence in Marion, Ind., has been in business for 25 years and installs all types of fencing, from agricultural to industrial, in all kinds of locales, from universities to private residences. Rogers bought a compact utility loader and, as a result, has seen improvements in every area of his business.

“This machine gives my business a can-do attitude,” says Rogers of the Toro Dingo 220, his compact utility loader of choice. “It has allowed us to modify our mindset, because one person can now accomplish what was previously a two- or three-man operation. Our workload is simplified because this machine will do anything you want it to.”

Rogers has noticed the reduction in hand labor. “This equipment consistently performs well, so using the loader is always a one-man job. We don’t have to worry about licensing codes because we don’t need a skilled commercial driver to operate this lightweight machine,” he says. “Operating this loader doesn’t take a rocket scientist.”

Rogers regularly works with Indiana Wesleyan University. His toughest job for the school was installing fencing around 12 tennis courts. “We were able to install double rows of fence in the center of the asphalt using the compact utility loader,” says Rogers. “It has a light footprint, so it didn’t ruin the turf that was already laid.”

In fact, Rogers says he has noticed a difference in the ground conditions of every jobsite since switching to the compact utility loader. “We’re not destroying backyards anymore,” Rogers says. “What does get damaged, we can clean up with the same machine. We fill in dirt using the bucket attachment, and that benefit is a real selling point for our customers.”

Rogers also notes that his compact utility loader is more versatile than other machines he has used. “It has multiple attachments that make it useful in any situation,” says Rogers. The machine’s size also increases its versatility, according to Rogers. His company has been able to haul cement into a small room through a single door and use the loader to break up concrete, he says.

Rogers says his compact utility loader has never been stuck or stranded. “It gets itself unstuck. Going into creeks or ponds is not a problem,” he says. “Water won’t destroy the equipment.”

Maintenance is rarely an issue either. “Aside from regular upkeep, the machine doesn’t require costly repairs,” Rogers says. This fact has helped increase his bottom line. “My business is more profitable in all respects. We no longer have bad backs from hand labor, which means we have fewer workers’ compensation claims,” says Rogers. “This loader eliminates the need for more employees, so I can put the money back into the company. In turn, I get a quick return on my investment and am able to buy more equipment.”

Rob Thibeault of Brentwood Fence in Brentwood, N.H., noticed similar results after his purchase of a compact utility loader. His business installs everything from aluminum and chain link to wood and vinyl fencing. However, his location presents unique challenges. “New Hampshire is the Granite State, so it’s always harder digging. The compact utility loader not only breaks the soil here, it cuts through everything else, too,” says Thibeault. “This equipment helps us every time we start it up. Now we can go into wooded areas and dig through roots. Before, we had to use manual labor. The unit speeds things up.”

His new compact utility loader has changed Thibeault’s entire approach to fencing jobs. “It gives me a lot more confidence and the ability to take on more work,” he notes. “It makes each job easier and turns two-day jobs to one-day jobs. I’m not worried about extending job timelines because I know I’ll have it done on time.”

When Thibeault first started using a compact utility loader, he rented it from a rental store. “I soon discovered that with this machine, I could do a fencing job by myself. I was also able to drive through the woods and easily maneuver in 6 to 8 in. of mud,” he says.

Eventually, Thibeault purchased a Toro Dingo compact utility loader and says he saw instant results. “I’ve increased my profit margin by 12 percent without raising my prices. This machine helps me keep labor costs down,” says Thibeault.

“When we show up to the jobsite, our clients are surprised that we don’t have more men on the crew,” Thibeault says. “We point to the compact utility loader and say, ‘Our other three guys are right there.’ I couldn’t hire three guys to do what this thing does.”

Thibeault is also impressed with the versatility of his utility loader. It’s big enough for construction jobs and can lay thousands of feet of fence, he says, but it’s also delicate enough to use on the lawns of multi-million-dollar homes. “It doesn’t leave tracks on the grass, so we can take it anywhere,” Thibeault notes. “Plus, all the attachments make it the ultimate fencing machine. It digs holes and moves cement, all without manual labor. We are also able to level off the ground, so we end up with a nicerlooking fence.”

Jobsite safety has also improved since he began using the compact utility loader. “At 61 years old, my father is able to work with me because of this machine,” says Thibeault. “When we use the loader, we don’t have to use manual labor, and it prevents injury to the body.”

Rogers and Thibeault both think that every fence contractor should purchase a compact utility loader, though Thibeault says he initially tells his competition to avoid buying one. “We like having one up on them,” he jokes.

Rogers says his compact utility loader is the best investment he’s ever made. “No matter what skill level a contractor is at, they should have one of these machines, or they’re not in business.”

Thibeault agrees. “If you’re just starting out, it’s worth the investment. If you don’t have any employees, it can fill in the gap and reduce your labor costs,” he says. “A compact utility loader is good for any size company and should be one of a contractor’s first investments.”

Amanda Mittlestad is a writer for Performance Marketing, West Des Moines, Iowa.