Clearing 2 acres - vines, small trees

[EddieWalker]

Originally Posted by JMER

Eddie Walker, you mentioned hiring a guy w/a chipper. How large a tree/stump can those normally handle?

I really don't know, but if you do some looking in the Construction Forum, you'll find a bunch of guys there who do that for a living. Interesting reading!!!

You mentioned clay. If you work the land in the spring and fall when it's cooler out and after some heavy rains, everything comes out allot easier. In summer, when it's hot out, the clay dries out real fast and gets allot harder.

Eddie

[Gittyup]

Their are shredding machines out there that can knock down and shred any size tree, even if over 5 feet in diameter. They are amazingly fast. Machines like those manufactured by Gyrotrac: Gyro-Trac Manufactures Land Clearing and Forestry Management Mulching Equipment.

Do a search for Gyrotrac on utube. Some amazing videos of it in action. It's not a machine the average property owner would buy because they are really expensive and require a BIG HP tractor. Gyrotrac's smallest model requires 60 hp to operate. But, I'm sure there are guys (land clearing companies) who can do that sort of thing on a contract basis.

The tree mulching solution is best if not selectively cutting and the OP wants to be selective. So, I'm not sure it's the best option for him. Besides he wants to justify his tractor purchase.

Another option for the OP is to maybe sell the timber, if there is any of value (have someone else cut and remove the trees) and then rent a stump grinder. Don't underestimate the value of bigger trees. Even trees like tulip poplars can be sold. You might even be able to sell the tops to firewood companies, and have them clean that part up too. Then use the tractor to clean up what's lefts and the under brush.

[JMER]

I'll check that out...I do want to selectively pick what to get rid of and what to leave. got a lot of dogwoods that I don't want to disturb the soil too much around them. Good idea on doing in fall/spring when the rains are more numerous. already checked with a bunch of timber companies and no one wants to do a job that small. I've got about 15 huge pines (70' tall, about 3 1/2'-4' diameter) that i was hoping someone would want to take. so far, no takers. I'm gonna check out our Kubota/NH dealer this afternoon. very interested in that tooth attachment to the fel.

I'm assuming the heavier the tractor and the higher the PTO HP, the better for what I want to do...? especially with possibly using the BH to dig out smaller stumps and using the FEL to knock smaller trees down.

[cbturf]

PM me dude and I will come clear it for you!

[JMER]

Good deal... researched the FECON machines and little and they sound about right... able to not only selectively take down trees w/o disturbing large tracts of soil but also the ability to grind down the stumps. My future neighbor has already clear his land, but has a couple large brush piles that he's wanting chipped. Not sure if he's found someone yet or not. I sent you a PM.

[acohen100]

I have 15 acres, most of it completely untamed and unmaintained for over 30 years. Brush clearing has been my main chore. I have been chipping away at it with a BX24 but it's really slow going. Stumps are the biggest hurdle and very tough to break out with the small backhoe. My recommendation would be to do all your cutting and then rent an excavator, like a CAT 305CR or so to get up all the stumps. Then a smaller tractor would be fine for the finish work. Another issue is what to do with the brush and root-balls after they are dug. I would recommend just getting them hauled out.

[cbturf]

With my machine your 15 acres would be done in 3-4 days and you can rent the cat, follow me around grubbing stumps then I will run through grinding the root balls. Purpose built is the only way to go unless it is your hobby to get out in the woods.