One attachment-need to clear land (pics)

[QuasarZ]

So I can afford one attachment right now (building a house, funds limited) and would like to clear some brush/trees/weeds/logs/debris etc. What one attachment will help me the most in this aspect? I know one attachment won't be able to do it all, but which will be most beneficial? I have a lot of nice big trees I would like to save before all the undergrowth kills them which is happening now. It has not been maintained I don't think ever.

Piranha bar
ratchet rake
landscape rake
rear blade

I'd like to add brush hog to the list but that is pushing the budget right now.

I do have a chain saw and clearing saw that can get the big stuff, so looking to get all the scrub buckthorn crap.

I think I am between the piranha and ratchet rake. I like how with the ratchet rake I can drive into it and lower bucket and drag stuff out. I like with pirahna I can drive over it and slice it off and also still be able to dig stuff with the tooth bar. The landscape rake would be nice to drag out stuff already down but won't help much in clearing. The rear blade is I guess useless but would be nice to even stuff out after. Attached are some pics of what I have going on. I'd say about 2 acres worth. Last pic is my helper

 

[/pine]

Actually there is "one" attachment that can do all that but given your budget it is way out of the picture...Also they are mostly used on skid steers not tractors anyway..
Forestry Mulcher

It is tough call to make any recommendations...looks like a lot of hands on grunt work but any of the implements you mentioned will work in some respect to some degree...

A thumb grapple on the loader bucket (much cheaper than a root grapple) is ideal for moving piles of debris once you have the piles...

Good Luck...be safe...

 

[QuasarZ]

A mulcher would be awesome but I do not have a skid loader, nor the cash for it haha. I think you are right, it will come down to a lot of hands on.

 

[JPRambo]

The ratchet rake works well with my Kubota B7100 and then I got a brush grubber to pull some small trees and brush.

 

[Kenneth in Texas]

i have land that looks just like that, many parts you couldnt even walk on, i just get after it with a front end loader and my landscape rake, takes time yeah but i have more time than money. Forgot to add i have made about a mile and a half of walking trails thru mine too.

 

[rswyan]

As member /pine opines: a grapple would be ideal ... although I'd personally say a root rake/grapple would be the most ideal.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

You're not gonna find any one attachment to do it all, so you might as well start with one that will always be useful even after all the work is done. In that case, I'd recommend the Piranha Tooth Bar.

I'm biased because I have one. But some of that stuff in your pics is too big for your tractor and a toothbar (or ratchet rake) to handle. I think you'll find your tractor spinning its tires pushing on a lot of that stuff.

I think you need to find a way to get BOTH the PTB and the ratchet rake. You can take some of it down with the PTB, and rake it out with the RR. The bigger stuff will have to be cut with a chainsaw or pole pruner, and you can drag it out with the RR.

 

[jenkinsph]

I suspect for the best bang for the buck, hire a D5 dozer and good operator for two days. Recover from that expense and get an attachment to help you bunch up the piles to burn.

 

[jenkinsph]

I should add that cutting off the small saplings can puncture your tires and make raking difficult too. I really think it will cost you about the same money if you do it yourself with your tractor (factoring in the wear and tear) or hire it out to a small/medium sized dozer. The dozer will save you a lot of time and frustration.

 

[94BULLITT]

I would use a trimmer and put a brush cutting blade on it. Once it is cut down you can push it into piles with the loader on your tractor and burn it.

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