Toby Thacker opened Thacker Skid-Steer Service in Pettis County two years ago with the goal of aiding landowners by clearing their property for growing crops, developing homes and planting wildlife food plots.

Thacker said he uses a Takeuchi skid-steer and most of his equipment comes from Precision Manufacturing. He provides attachments to complete projects for customers. His attachment options include a tree puller, a tree shear, a grapple and a brush hog. He also has buckets to do dirt work.

“I am able to clear areas on small and large farms,” Thacker said. “I can take out sprouts, small to medium sized trees and associated underbrush.”

He usually visits a piece of property to evaluate landowner needs before conducting the work.

“The customer usually wants me to come and look at their property,” Thacker said. “I then tell them what we can and what we can’t do and how long I think it’ll take.”

A friend, Michael Bocanegra, has joined his business part-time. Depending on the thickness of brush, a project that is around 40-acres in size can take around 15 hours to 40 hours to finish.

Thacker said clients often use his services to grow farmland, clear shooting lanes for hunters and build a home or shed.

“I appreciate the business and the opportunity to serve people,” Thacker said.

He said advancements in technology and equipment have benefitted businesses and customers.

“You used to clean brush with a chainsaw and tractor in the past,” Thacker said. “With these new skidsters, you can do it so much more quickly and efficiently. I need to be able to use the best equipment to be able to do a great job during a wide range of circumstances.”

Thacker Skid-Steer Services is located at Highway 52 in Green Ridge, Missouri. They can be contacted by phone during the day at (660) 620-3723 or at night at (660) 527-3728.