After 60+ years of Nature's moving our driveway down the hill to the lake, I decided to reform both the upper entry and the lower parking area. Two "catch basins" (top and bottom) were necessary to decelerate rain run-off from uphill.
Asking at Bradley's Hardware, they suggested the use of their rental Kubota B26 "tractor". I'd have to pay for transporting the Kubota B26, and pay for the diesel fuel used. The greatest hazard being this tractor overturning on slopes.
(There are
no level areas in this driveway area).
Receiving a one-minute course on operation, and further intimidated by the warning labels posted hither and yon on the Kubota, I spent one half-day "terra-forming" the hillside anyway.
Operating the Kubota was mostly intuitive, but it has a few limitations; for example, the Kubota can't provide an angle for the front blade. That one limitation couldn't result in a perfect "safe-dig" into the hillside here.
(BTW, the fuel gauge never moved from "full").
For only $250, the job got mostly done.
I'm happy, got my money's-worth, and would rent it again.
.