Cutting Ditch/ Swale in Yard?

[toledo]

I need to cut a 6-9" deep drainage in a yard. Approx 25 yards long. Anywhere from 24-36" wide. What piece of equipment do I need?

Will the little stand on skid steers have the power to cut untouched ground or will they just spin?

[flywise]

I'd rent one of those mini excavators. But with it being solid rock below 6" of topsoil where I live a rock saw would probably be needed

[Texas Grown]

Ditch Witch walk behind.

[Bucknaked]

Ditch Witch walk behind.

That would be a big bastage to cut. 24”-36” wide

[Texas Grown]

That would be a big bastage to cut. 24”-36” wide

DitchWitch makes a 12, 16, 24, and a 30 walk behind. Being that he's not going that deep, he could make 2 or 3 passes with one and be done. He could also rent a walk behind 24" or 36" trencher from Home Depot or Sunbelt Rental.

https://www.ditchwitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CX-Series-Literature.pdf

[Bucknaked]

DitchWitch makes a 12, 16, 24, and a 30 walk behind. Being that he's not going that deep, he could make 2 or 3 passes with one and be done. He could also rent a walk behind 24" or 36" trencher from Home Depot or Sunbelt Rental.

https://www.ditchwitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CX-Series-Literature.pdf

Max width 6” is what I’m seeing!

[Calrob]

Disc it, then bring in a box blade

[toledo]

Disc it, then bring in a box blade

Don't have the space or id normally just use a full sized skidsteer. It's between a couple houses.

[60 Deluxe]

I just used a small tractor with a 6' blade tilted to the first setting. Three or four passes and I had a nice drainage ditch cut.

[Texas Grown]

Max width 6” is what I’m seeing!

Besides a garden tiller, and a shovel, what would be your recommendation?

[BrandonH]

First option would be a couple teenage boys just out of school for the summer needing $. Give them a pick ax, sharp shooter, & shovels and let them get busy. If that's not an option I'd rent one of those little mini excavator.

[Lslite]

Teenage boys must be different where you live

[RWB]

Smallest mini x you can rent and possibly a powered cement cart to haul the dirt to a trailer.

[Drycreek3189]

First option would be a couple teenage boys just out of school for the summer needing $. Give them a pick ax, sharp shooter, & shovels and let them get busy. If that's not an option I'd rent one of those little mini excavator.

I couldn’t even get one to mow our yard with our zero turn.

[Calrob]

Don't have the space or id normally just use a full sized skidsteer. It's between a couple houses.

If you can rent a sod cutter, just make a couple passes with it then use a rake to shape it. You'll still have to move some soil by hand but it wont be too difficult.