How to Choose the Right Compact Loader for Landscaping Jobs

A practical guide to the Avant 760i and 860i — and why more landscapers are switching from traditional skid steers

1. Why Landscapers Are Switching to Compact Loaders

Skid steers have been the landscaping industry default for decades — but they come with trade-offs that become very apparent on residential jobs, golf course maintenance, or anywhere ground damage is unacceptable.

Compact loaders like the Avant 760i and 860i offer a different value proposition:

• Smaller footprint — fits through standard residential gates (36"–48") where a skid steer won't
• Lower ground pressure — significantly less turf damage than rubber-tracked or wheeled skid steers of comparable capacity
• Better visibility — articulated chassis gives the operator an unobstructed view of the work area
• Massive attachment versatility — 200+ Avant-compatible attachments covering mowing, trenching, snow clearing, and more
• Quieter and more nimble — better suited for occupied properties where noise and disruption matter to the customer

If your jobs regularly involve navigating tight access points, working on sensitive turf, or operating on properties where a full-size machine would be impractical, a compact loader deserves a serious look.

2. Key Specs That Matter for Landscaping Work

Not all specs matter equally for landscaping. Here's what to focus on — and how the Avant 760i and 860i stack up:

Spec	Why It Matters	Avant 760i	Avant 860i
Horsepower	Runs hydraulic attachments	~33 HP	57 HP
Lift Capacity	Material moved per cycle	~2,200 lbs	4,190 lbs
Operating Weight	Lighter = less turf damage	~4,600 lbs (2.1 tons)	~5,900 lbs (2.7 tons)
Max Lift Height	Can you load a dump trailer?	~118 in	137.8 in
Drive System	Traction on varied terrain	4WD articulated	4WD articulated

Both models are significantly lighter than comparable skid steers — which is the headline stat for landscapers working on sensitive turf.

3. Avant 760i: The Residential Specialist

The 760i is FER's recommendation for landscapers who primarily work residential jobs, backyard renovations, and smaller commercial properties. Its lighter weight makes it especially friendly to lawns and finished grades, and its compact dimensions let it navigate spaces that would stop larger machines cold.

Best for:

• Residential landscaping and backyard makeovers
• Properties with narrow gate access
• Light grading, topsoil placement, and sod prep
• Operators new to compact loaders — the 760i is approachable and predictable

Its lower entry cost also makes it attractive for landscapers adding a compact loader to their fleet for the first time. Renting the 760i through FER lets you put it through its paces on real jobs before committing to a purchase.

4. Avant 860i: The Commercial All-Rounder

Step up to the 860i when your jobs demand more lift capacity, more hydraulic power, and more versatility. At 57 HP and 4,190 lbs of lift capacity, the 860i competes with many mid-size skid steers — while still being compact enough for residential environments.

Best for:

• Commercial landscaping and hardscaping
• Loading dump trailers and trucks with heavy material (mulch, stone, soil)
• Running demanding hydraulic attachments (brush mowers, mulching heads, snow blowers)
• Operations that need one machine to handle both residential and commercial sites

The 860i's max lift height of 137.8 inches clears most dump trailer sides cleanly — making it a true production machine, not just a niche access tool.

5. Attachment Compatibility

Both the 760i and 860i use the Avant universal quick-attach system, giving you access to a large catalog of purpose-built attachments. For landscaping specifically, the most useful include:

• Buckets — General purpose, 4-in-1, and rock buckets for material handling and grading
• Pallet forks — Moving palletized material, retaining wall block, and flagstone
• Augers — Tree planting, fence post setting, drainage installation
• Trenchers — Irrigation systems, drainage lines, landscape lighting conduit
• Brush mowers — Property clearing and overgrowth management
• Stump grinders — Stump removal without a separate dedicated machine
• Snow blades and snow blowers — Year-round utility for landscapers who also offer winter services
• Landscape rakes and tillers — Seedbed prep, top-dressing, finish grading

The 860i's higher hydraulic flow gives it an advantage running motor-driven attachments (mowers, mulchers, tillers). If attachment-heavy work is central to your operation, the 860i is worth the step up.

6. Compact Loader vs. Skid Steer vs. Mini Skid Steer

The right machine depends on your job mix. Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Feature	Compact Loader (Avant 760i / 860i)	Compact Track Loader (Takeuchi TL8R2)	Mini Skid Steer (Vermeer CTX160)
Ground Pressure	Low	Medium–High	Lowest
Gate Access	Yes (most gates)	No (typically too wide)	Yes (42" width)
Lift Capacity	Medium (up to 4,190 lbs)	High	Medium (1,600 lbs)
Attachment Selection	Very Large	Widest industry selection	Large
Turf Protection	Excellent	Poor	Best
Steering System	Articulated	Skid (tracks)	Skid (tracks)
Best Use Case	Landscaping, golf, sensitive turf	Heavy excavation, construction	Tree care, tight utility work

FER also rents the Vermeer CTX160 mini skid steer — see our Mini Skid Steer Buying Guide for a full breakdown.

7. Articulated Steering: Why It's Different (and Better for Turf)

Skid steers steer by locking one side of tracks or wheels and spinning the machine around its own footprint. This is efficient on hard surfaces, but harsh on turf — it's grinding the ground every time you change direction, tearing grass and compacting soil.

The Avant's articulated steering works differently: the machine bends in the middle to change direction, leaving a smooth, gentle arc across the ground. After a full day of work on the same lawn, the difference in turf condition is visible and significant.

For any job where the customer's finished lawn, golf turf, or decorative landscape is a concern, articulated steering is a genuine operational advantage — not just a marketing point.

8. Rent Before You Buy — FER's Avant Rental Program

The Avant platform is different enough from a skid steer that we strongly recommend renting before buying. Operators who have run skid steers their whole career sometimes have an adjustment period — and that's completely normal. Most people are sold within a day or two of actual use on their own jobs.

FER rents both the Avant 760i and 860i at competitive daily, weekly, and monthly rates. What that means for you:

• Test on your actual jobs — See how the 760i handles your gate widths and site conditions before committing
• Put the 860i's lift capacity to work — Load a dump trailer, run your brush mower, see if it keeps up with your production demands
• Compare models back-to-back — Rent both and decide which fits your operation
• Bill the rental to the job — Many landscapers rent a compact loader for a specific project, then buy once they know it fits their workflow

Every machine FER delivers has been inspected and serviced by our in-house technicians. You show up to the job with equipment that works — no surprises, no downtime.

The Bottom Line

If you're a landscaper regularly dealing with tight access, sensitive turf, or jobs where a full-size skid steer is overkill, the Avant 760i or 860i deserves a serious look. The 760i is the right call for residential-focused operations; the 860i makes sense when you need more lift and hydraulic power for commercial work.

The best way to know which one fits your operation is to get one on a real job. FER's rental program is designed exactly for that.