Correct Implement(s)?

[webbmeister]

Well, Thor comes next Monday, and there is already plenty for us to do together. Last fall, the property was cleared of overgrowth, and there are some things that got left in the wake of that.

First, the clearing team did a good job of grinding most of the stumps. They missed a few though, and there are also at least a couple hundred small diameter (2 inch and less) stumps (some cut at an angle and sharp and some shattered by the bush hog they used) that stick up a couple of inches out of the ground. Thor is coming with turfs. I predict flat tires. Should I rent a stump grinder and go at these? would another approach work better (FEL/Toothbar, rake, ???)

Second, they used very heavy machinery and in spite of their best efforts, there are a lot of ruts. There is also a lot of chunky bush hog debris. I'd just as soon not tear up the existing prairie grass by dragging with a blade or rigid rake ... help! I'm confused!

Thanks,

Jim

 

[JJT]

Rent a stump grinder and go at it.

As for debris cleanup - I'd use a landscape rake, you can float the rake and minimize the turf damage.

 

[pennwalk]

I might bob off the worst of the punji sticks with a chain saw although working close to the ground always takes a toll on my chainsaw blades. Blades are cheaper than getting flats fixed especially whan thay have the 2 for 1 sale on chainsaw blades. I have been wondering about treating the stumps. Around here they grow back so fast that they will be head high by mid summer. There ought to be something you can put on them that will kill them once and for all without setting of alarms in every EPA office from here to Washington. I know you may think I am crazy but I sometimes find that cleaning up the bigger stuff left by the bush hog is easier to do by hand. In my case I pile it up and run it through my chipper/shredder. I was wondering if a FEL with a toothbar might be the way to go for smoothing out the ruts.

Chris

 

[webbmeister]

Thanks Chris and John:

I'm going to try the stump grinder, and then with a crew of 4 (God bless my wife, sister, and brother-in-law) and a combination of some hand rakes and hands we're going to go over the property to get up the debris. Then, Thor's first job will be to level out the ruts.

Thanks for the tips. I know these are simplistic questions, but making the shift from city to rural takes getting used to.

Regards,

Jim