DaNag
Silver Member
We just bought a lot, and need to clear it. While I've gotten a quote on the job, the thought of renting a Kubota KX121-3 is appealing...admittedly for the fun/learning factor, but hopefully to save a little $$ as well.
However, being a little wet behind the ears - I'm not sure how big of a job I'm getting myself into. I've plenty of seat time in my 3130, so I'm not totally ignorant of machinery. And, I've watched a couple of professionals with a big excavator and dozer clear our last place of significantly larger trees. So, I understand the basics - clear roots to side of tree as needed, then push it over from a point 8-12' up or so. Grab/shake a little to lose the dirt, get it to the burn pile, then level up the mess I just made.
The main grove of trees are all small alders, and there's probably about 1.5 acres of them or so. I don't think there's anything over 8" - many/most are 4-6". Pic showing most of them:
Ground is soft, but not muddy. I'm sure these will easily come out with the KX121 - I've actually pushed the smaller ones over with my 3130 bucket with limited success, but was spinning the wheels on the larger ones. What I'm not sure of, are two things.
- How long will it take? I realize there are many variables and none of you can see the site, but for the price I was quoted by a local guy with a similar Kubota mini - I could rent one and pay all expenses for 5 days. My time is worth nothing. The local, experienced guy said it would take him 1.5 - 2 days at most...so even if it takes me twice as long, I'll come out ahead here.
- How big a tree can the KX123 can handle? The small alders are 90% of the work - but there are perhaps 10-15 larger cedar/fir trees, mostly in the 10-20" diameter and 60-80' tall. There are a couple that are 24-28" in diameter, but I'm guessing those might be pushing the limits...although again, the ground is quite soft, and roots don't run very deep in this location.
Any words of wisdom? Just do it and have fun, or....?
However, being a little wet behind the ears - I'm not sure how big of a job I'm getting myself into. I've plenty of seat time in my 3130, so I'm not totally ignorant of machinery. And, I've watched a couple of professionals with a big excavator and dozer clear our last place of significantly larger trees. So, I understand the basics - clear roots to side of tree as needed, then push it over from a point 8-12' up or so. Grab/shake a little to lose the dirt, get it to the burn pile, then level up the mess I just made.
The main grove of trees are all small alders, and there's probably about 1.5 acres of them or so. I don't think there's anything over 8" - many/most are 4-6". Pic showing most of them:
Ground is soft, but not muddy. I'm sure these will easily come out with the KX121 - I've actually pushed the smaller ones over with my 3130 bucket with limited success, but was spinning the wheels on the larger ones. What I'm not sure of, are two things.
- How long will it take? I realize there are many variables and none of you can see the site, but for the price I was quoted by a local guy with a similar Kubota mini - I could rent one and pay all expenses for 5 days. My time is worth nothing. The local, experienced guy said it would take him 1.5 - 2 days at most...so even if it takes me twice as long, I'll come out ahead here.
- How big a tree can the KX123 can handle? The small alders are 90% of the work - but there are perhaps 10-15 larger cedar/fir trees, mostly in the 10-20" diameter and 60-80' tall. There are a couple that are 24-28" in diameter, but I'm guessing those might be pushing the limits...although again, the ground is quite soft, and roots don't run very deep in this location.
Any words of wisdom? Just do it and have fun, or....?