I rented a Kubota mini loader/backhoe and dumping trailer for month? What now?

I rented a Kubota mini loader/backhoe and dumping trailer for month? What now?

I’ve been observing the land for two years since we found this grassland/ Chihauhaun desert acreage. I’ve identified several earthworks but am looking for guidance. I’m trying to do minimal impact but maximum results. It’s not a big machine but if I do a few hours per day here I can get a fair amount done. The ground is bottomland of the valley and gas no rocks. Easy digging. I see a couple of pecan orchards nearby and a couple old alfalfa grass circles. I’m not disturbing a large area as dust storms can be an issue here.

I have only ran the tractor for one hour so far to try it out and see if it runs good. I cleared a few hundred feet for a circular drive up to a hump where I’d like to place a water tank.

Here’s a list of identified projects: 1). Level the ground for a garage and workshop. I’m going planning to dig a mechanics pit and use the earth to fill the low area. Stack functions.
2). Level and the ground at the entrance to the house. 3). Backfill a large trench that runs power and water to the barn. I paid someone $500 to dig the trench a year ago. I’m tired of it being in the way. 4). Clear a small drive to the back of the barn. 5). Dig the “pond” pit about 2’ deeper and use the soil to level ground elsewhere. The pit is 7’ deep now. As this land can sheet flood during monsoon we paid someone with a big loader backhoe to use the soil to build a pad for the barn. 6). Dig some garden beds. A neighbor showed me that sunken beds sort of like hugelkulter beds are a good way to garden here. I could dig out the topsoil then some subsoil and replace it with the topsoil. 7). Swales? There is one small sloped area that could be swaled. 8). Build an earth ramp for loading and unloading trucks and trailers. 9). Trench water and power to the tank site and a couple of hydrants on each side of the house. And power/water to the garage site. 10). Spreading gravel. 11). Dig out 3 small eucalyptus shrubs the previous owner planted where the garage needs to go. I will try to transplant them but am skeptical they will survive. I hope they prove me wrong. 12). Trench in a gray water pipe? 13). There’s some fairly large piles of topsoil mixed with grass and Ephedra shrubs that could be used for something? The previous tractor left them behind. I may try to spread it all in a future garden area. Maybe where the swales go to. 14). That’s all I have thought of so far. Wish me luck and happy Permaculturing.

submitted by /u/Prestigious_Yak_9004
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