80 Acres- Eagle Creek, Oregon

[NWOutlawMX]

We purchased 80 acres and finally signed the papers in June. The property has a house on it for the building rights only, it is uninhabitable and of no value. There is a huge amount of work to be done on the property that I will be doing most of it myself. I am a Commercial Fisherman so I have 4-5 months out of the year to concentrate and devote all my time to the project. Being as it is going to be a big project I figured I might as well keep a running account of the progress. My first order of business was to start clearing blackberries, 80% of the property is overrun with them and couldn't even drive through the gate, and get a new road back to the building sight. I ended up buying a 2013 JD 3038e with 5 ft brush hog and a brush rake for the FEL. My girlfriend has never driven a tractor before so I wanted to get something small enough and easy for her to operate but still have a decent amount of PTO hp. I knew there was going to be other bigger equipment later on so I wasn't too concerned about it being big enough. I'm very happy with the choice. Here's some pictures of the clearing of the entrance.

 

[RoMad]

sounds like you have a lot of work/fun ahead of you. I'll bet that bucket on your tractor won't look that shiney for long. I think it was a good idea to get a tractor your girlfriend is comfortable with. My wife used my first tractor a lot and when I moved up to a bigger tractor she has never used it much.

 

[Leejohn]

It looks like you are making good headway.

 

[murphy1244]

My Gosh, you got your work cut out for you there.

 

[BethelHntr]

Good luck with all those stickers, A pain for sure.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Congratulations on the new property and tractor! Looks like a beautiful area. In 4-5 months full time you should be able to get a lot done. Keep us posted.

 

[jeff9366]

Them's some Blackberries!

GOOD LUCK. HAVE FUN.

 

[TomSeller]

Himalayan Blackberries? Been there, done that. Here are threads you might want to read. I'll post some thoughts when I get a chance.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=293754

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/related-topics/252861-how-do-i-kill-black.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/mahindra-owning-operating/249561-black-berry-removal.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/84677-clearing-black-berry-vines.html

 

[oosik]

Wow!! I should say you've made progress. The gate is barely visible in the picture. All I know about blackberries is the God-awful sharp thorns from picking the berries. Been thru that area(hwy 211) on my way back from trips down the Oregon coast - alternate to I-84 up the gorge.

 

[rd_macgregor]

Keeping the berry vines under control will be a lifelong hobby! But, you have a good start.
Is that a hybrid tread design on the tractor? Clearly they aren't industrials, but the bars look closer together than on regular ag tires.
Bob