Frequently Asked Questions

Not at all. The machine is designed for homeowners with zero experience. It runs on standard household electricity — just plug it into an outdoor outlet. We walk you through operation at pickup or delivery, and you can text us anytime during your rental if you have questions. If you can shovel gravel, you can use this machine.

One person with a single machine can complete a small front yard or side yard in just one day. For larger properties, crews of 3 with 2 machines can process large city yards in a single day. The machine does the shaking — you just feed it at your own pace.

Electric. It plugs into a standard 120V household outlet — no gas, no fumes, no pull-starting. It's quiet enough to use in residential neighborhoods without bothering the neighbors. You'll need an outdoor outlet or a heavy-duty extension cord (12-gauge, up to 100 feet).

The machine is approximately 3' x 3' and weighs about 100 pounds. It fits in a standard truck bed — just make sure you have tie downs for travel. If you don't have a way to transport it, our delivery service ($69 each way) takes care of everything — text us to schedule.

The machine works great with most common landscaping rock — river rock, pea gravel, crushed granite, decorative stone, and lava rock. It's designed to separate dirt and fine debris from rocks roughly 3/4 inch and larger. If you have very small gravel (like pea-size), it still works but the screen may let some smaller pieces through with the dirt. Text us if you're unsure — we can advise based on your rock type.

Most customers see 3–5 years before dirt builds up again to noticeable levels, depending on wind, nearby trees, and foot traffic. Rock yards in New Mexico accumulate dirt slowly from wind-blown dust and decomposing landscape fabric. A good sifting essentially resets the clock. Some customers rent once every few years to keep things looking fresh.

The sifted dirt is actually great topsoil — it's been filtering through rock for years. Many customers use it to fill low spots in their yard, add to garden beds, or level out areas for new projects. You can also bag it and take it to the landfill or give it away. You'll be surprised how much dirt comes out of rock that looks "not that dirty."

Absolutely. Many of our renters are landscaping companies and property managers. The weekly rate ($379) is popular with commercial users. If you're thinking about adding sifting to your regular services, we also sell machines — check out our For Sale page for details.