Rotary Cutter looking for guesstimates for how long it would take to clear 2.5 acres of blackberry

[jenkinsph]

If these vines are as tough as some are saying and are wrapped around the trellis it will be costly to clean up. A lot would depend on the value and condition of the trellis, is it good enough to spend the time and money to save it? If it is then it will likely require a lot of hand work as I mentioned in my prior post. Is the trellis sturdy enough that pulling on the vines will not tear it up? That would make a difference in what clean up methods would work the best.

 

[countrybumpkin]

If these vines are as tough as some are saying and are wrapped around the trellis it will be costly to clean up. A lot would depend on the value and condition of the trellis, is it good enough to spend the time and money to save it? If it is then it will likely require a lot of hand work as I mentioned in my prior post. Is the trellis sturdy enough that pulling on the vines will not tear it up? That would make a difference in what clean up methods would work the best.

I would agree with this. Have you even tried your tractor and cutter, that would be my first step if I was wanting to attempt it my self? You will find out real fast if you can or want to do the whole area yourself. The skid steer with front mount cutter that was mentioned before would be my choice if your wanting to do the job yourself. Also you really haven't said but are you just wanting to open up the rows and keep the plants and trellis or are you wanting to remove all the plants too.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Cutting backwards is no problem and is the best way to do that kind of work with a small tractor. Just start taking small bites and soon you will learn how big of a bite to take. I would have had it done by now with my little Massey and my 4 ft hog. I might have a few scratches but I would have a smile on my face looking at a clean field. :cool2: Ed

Cutting backward into a 6 foot "wall" of substantial intertwined plants is different - especially with a small tractor. Even worse when having motion restricted by going down a narrow row.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Either I don't understand the material, cleanup or something, but 2.5 acres would take me about five hours with my NX6010 and my Woods BB720X if I didn't need to stop and pick anything up with the loader. Padding my estimate and not counting travel time, $600.

If I must fiddle around going around stuff, or heaven forbid get a ground man to fiddle around hand cutting things, then the price goes up, and up in a hurry.

 

[MossRoad]

Nice little implement but that thing would not even touch a Himalayan BB thicket, based on the video you posted. Folks that have never seen Himalayan BB just don't understand them. Kind of like Kudzu. If you have never seen it you don't get it. Now the native BB or even the Evergreen BB that is more the ticket for your cutter MossRoad. It would do well for cutting those.

I'd like to give it a shot, just to see. :laughing:

 

[SPYDERLK]

Either I don't understand the material, cleanup or something, but 2.5 acres would take me about five hours with my NX6010 and my Woods BB720X if I didn't need to stop and pick anything up with the loader. Padding my estimate and not counting travel time, $600.

If I must fiddle around going around stuff, or heaven forbid get a ground man to fiddle around hand cutting things, then the price goes up, and up in a hurry.

Using a rotary cutter and backing into 6-7ft high solid blackberries. I have a Kubota B2320 so I cannot plow through and flatten them before they are cut with the rotary cutter. The cutter is 48" and will raise it up and back into the berries. I had two quotes, one for $3000 and one for $4200. Both quotes were 3 to 4 days of work. I figure if I were to use my tractor and rotary cutter it would take me 4 to 5 weekends to get it done and wanted to get your opinion on how long it would take me. Much appreciated in advance!

Thanks. The land is flat and does not have any stumps, old cars or sheds. No big rocks either. It used to be a vineyard so the 60" row spacing trellising is still there and I want to keep it intact.

Here ya go.

 

[MossRoad]

Either I don't understand the material, cleanup or something, ....

Go back and glean through the posts... he's got an old vineyard with 60" wide space between the grape trellises that he wants to keep intact. So its partly the thick vegetation and partly the grape trellises and associated posts, etc...

 

[MossRoad]

Here ya go.

There ya go. hahahha thanks. :laughing:

 

[Ed of all trades]

Cutting backward into a 6 foot "wall" of substantial intertwined plants is different - especially with a small tractor. Even worse when having motion restricted by going down a narrow row.

I have done this on a good bit higher than 6' wall wit my GC2400 Massey. The bush hog pulls it down and you just keep taking a bite then another. The trellis would make it harder bit I still think I could do it. with the trellis it would take longer. Ed

 

[JSanders10]

(yea, I've read the thread... 60" spacing, thick blackberry canes, gotcha)

I get some tougher carhart, and go frontwards and get it done. You'll be surprised how quick it will go.
If you are not in a hurry, wait a few more weeks for some of the growth to brown up.

I've cleared about 8 acres of blackberry the same way. I still have some left and tackle a bit when I feel like it and anytime I am near one of the patches with my bushhog, I take an swipe off the edge and another swipe another day, it all adds up very quickly.