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Installation methods of pave stones and segmental retaining walls are learned through seminars, continued education and experience. This same learning should be used when buying and or renting equipment.
The company?EUR??,,????'???s investment in equipment should be as educated as possible. It is important to remember that purchasing equipment is not always necessary. Renting and leasing are two viable options in some instances. It is highly recommended that the company discuss their equipment needs with an expert in the field of that type of equipment. Here are some guidelines to follow:
Trucks, trailers and excavation equipment are the largest of equipment purchases. Your investment will come in all sizes, name brands and costs. Your needs will vary considering the size of your projects, loads to be carried, volume of work and employee experience. As with all your purchases, discuss these purchases with your accountant and an equipment expert for the most profitable return. Always consider lease options or rentals.
Hand tools will cost between $250.00 and $600.00 depending on the quality of the tools and supplier. A list is provided covering the majority of these tools. Remember the old adage, ?EUR??,,????'??The most expensive tool in your tool box is the cheapest.?EUR??,,????'?? Buy good tools and treat them well and you won?EUR??,,????'???t have to reinvest on every other project.
There are a number of manufacturers of compaction equipment that will complete the project successfully. What you need to understand is what type of machine will do the best and most efficient job. Take into consideration the type of material being compacted, the force applied by the machine and the speed at which the machine travels. All three of these items will determine efficiency and profit. Knowledge of materials and discussion with machine distributors will benefit you in the long run. This type of equipment is used to produce a stable base, which the finished system relies on for long-term stability. Most failures in paver projects are due to ineffective compacted base material. You will need a complete understanding of the proper equipment required to compact both the sub-base and install the necessary base material to support the application. The contractor must have a complete understanding of maintenance of this type of equipment, due to high frequency of vibration during usage. Once again, make sure to discuss the proper machinery with your salesman to produce the most efficient, stable and profitable results.
Years ago, paver cutting was limited to splitters only. But today, there are many manufacturers of both table saws and hand held saws. Your choice will depend on a few issues. First, will you use a gas-powered or electric motor? Gas can be used almost anywhere, but it is noisy. Electric requires extension cords and the permission of the owner and you?EUR??,,????'???ll need to know if there is a possibility of blown fuses.
The next thing to consider is whether or not you will be dry cutting or wet cutting. Dry cutting allows you to bring the saw to the cutting face, but it produces large amounts of dust. Dust vacuums are available and will be required in the near future. Wet cutting eliminates the dust, but produces slurry out of the back of the machine. This slurry stains all that it falls on and is very difficult to remove.
Wet cutting requires a stationary machine and a clean water supply. There is an additional time frame to cut and install cut pavers, due to the distance between the cutting face and the saw.
Deck strength and design must also be considered. Some manufactures have long bars down the side for easier carrying and handling. Some have detachable stands with wheels and seats for easier handling and usage. All of these saws are very top heavy and require firm gripping locations for safety when moving. Another major factor is the engine itself. How much horsepower do you need? Who supplies and warranties the engine? Is the machine belt driven or direct-drive? Ask these questions and you will be in good shape to make the right decision.
Another type of cutting tool is the powered hand-held saw. This is typically a dry cutting machine, but wet cutting is available. It requires additional skills to keep the blade perpendicular to the cutting surface and is a necessary tool for on-site cutting of existing concrete and asphalt. It can also be used to cut pavers without removing them. The hand-held is good for long, straight cuts and gentle curves. These saws are also popular with retaining wall installers. The user must wear eye, ear, and face protection.
Two more options are the paver splitter and the retaining wall splitter. Although they do not produce the clean neat cut of a powered saw, paver splitters are a faster and cheaper alternative to saws. With practice, splitters will produce an acceptable cut. Retaining wall splitters are a must for almost any wall installer. Again, with practice, they produce a straight, rough face split for corner units and caps. These machines are surprisingly heavy, but easy to work with.
As with your larger equipment, consult with the various manufacturers on the best machine for your needs, experience and financial situation.
Recently, there has been an explosion in the number of cutting blades available to the contractor for the purpose of cutting pavers and retaining walls. The cost differences are in the hundreds of dollars. Of all the equipment that should be carefully studied, cutting blades are one of the most important. This item can be a profit eater. The big question to ask is, ?EUR??,,????'??How much will it cost me per linear foot??EUR??,,????'?? Understand that you need different blades for wet cutting and dry cutting. You also need to understand about additional general cutting on site for that blade, such as re-bar, concrete, asphalt and any other material you will encounter. Blades used to be simple?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'???now they are a science.
Marking tools are simple, but overlooked equipment for efficient time saving devices. Marking on curves, along buildings, and at angles can all be made simpler with very basic marking tools. Not only do they save time, but they also help produce a better-looking finished project. Although the amount of manufacturers is limited, these tools are very affordable and highly recommended.
The most efficient time saver will always be having a complete understanding of your equipment, job site and the system you are installing. There are many simple tools that will speed up your installation and increase your profits without compromising your quality. A paver dolly will increase the amount of pavers moved from the pallet to the laying face by almost ten times. Larger and stronger saws help cut material quicker and safer. Marking tools will decrease the time it takes to mark long cutting lines, either straight or curved. The more advanced installers are using mechanical base and sand screening devices. The list goes on and on, and as time goes by, more efficient equipment is being produced to help cut labor and increase quality. Education will always be the key resource.
Francisco Uviña, University of New Mexico
Hardscape Oasis in Litchfield Park
Ash Nochian, Ph.D. Landscape Architect
November 12th, 2025
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