Cleaning debris from woods

[donaldj]

Hi all,

I am in Michigan and have 13 acres. The property has been wooded since forever, and includes oak, maple, apple, and a few others. There is significant undergrowth everywhere... all kinds of weeds, vine, etc. Your standard Michigan outdoors. =)

While clearing out an area, I came across some piles of debris, namely old building material. Includes boards, plywood, and window frames and glass. I'm sure there are all kinds of nails and stuff too. Probably some jerk contractor dumping here long ago.

My initial thought is to rent a dumpster and use the FEL to go in, dig under most of this junk, and scoop it into the dumpster. My concerns are that I'll be dumping a lot of earth that way (but dont want to run over glass and nails) and I might find more debris piles as I clear more. This is also a bit of a ways where I can have a dumpster delivered.

My initial idea is to...

1. Continue clearing the areas I intend to, being more careful to look for debris.
2. Flag areas that have lots of debris and save those areas for later.
3. Once the whole area I want to clear is done, go back and do all the debris piles in one FELl swoop (see what I did there?)

Anyone have a better approach to this? Known way to handle finding, clearing, and disposing of unwanted debris?

Resources:

• time (no hurry on this project)
• LS XR3135H
• Front bucket
• Pallet forks
• Brush hog 5'
• Rear blade
• Box blade
• Landscaping rake
• Subsoiler

Thanks,
Don

 

[CobyRupert]

"root grapple" bucket

 

[MossRoad]

Scrape off the top soil next to it, dig a hole, push it into the hole, re-fill the hole, put the top soil back.

 

[Einthewoods]

Scrape off the top soil next to it, dig a hole, push it into the hole, re-fill the hole, put the top soil back.

I might add a step to burn it prior to covering it. I hate sink holes 10 years later from burried debris. Big problem in my area with contractors burying stumps removed from build sites. Burning it somewhat reduces that.

 

[MossRoad]

I don't burn stumps and logs as long as I have room to walk around them, I leave them lay for the critters and to rot on the forest floor to make new soil. But I will bury human made debris. In the woods, I don't care too much about sink holes. But you're right, burning it will certainly reduce it to near nothing and is a good way to get rid of it as long as it's not toxic stuff.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Hi all,

I am in Michigan and have 13 acres. The property has been wooded since forever, and includes oak, maple, apple, and a few others. There is significant undergrowth everywhere... all kinds of weeds, vine, etc. Your standard Michigan outdoors. =)

While clearing out an area, I came across some piles of debris, namely old building material. Includes boards, plywood, and window frames and glass. I'm sure there are all kinds of nails and stuff too. Probably some jerk contractor dumping here long ago.

My initial thought is to rent a dumpster and use the FEL to go in, dig under most of this junk, and scoop it into the dumpster. My concerns are that I'll be dumping a lot of earth that way (but dont want to run over glass and nails) and I might find more debris piles as I clear more. This is also a bit of a ways where I can have a dumpster delivered.

My initial idea is to...

1. Continue clearing the areas I intend to, being more careful to look for debris.
2. Flag areas that have lots of debris and save those areas for later.
3. Once the whole area I want to clear is done, go back and do all the debris piles in one FELl swoop (see what I did there?)

Anyone have a better approach to this? Known way to handle finding, clearing, and disposing of unwanted debris?

Resources:

• time (no hurry on this project)
• LS XR3135H
• Front bucket
• Pallet forks
• Brush hog 5'
• Rear blade
• Box blade
• Landscaping rake
• Subsoiler

Thanks,
Don

No advice from me, but don't feel lonesome. Seems to be the common practice for days of old. At least, that's the same thing we found here at our place when we bought in, in mid-Georgia.

Just thinking back, not so long ago there wasn't any garbage services out here in the sticks. And most farmers didn't have tractors with back-hoes. Only choice was to either burn it, or dump it out of sight out in the woods. Our fix is to attack one pile at a time, pick it up and have a trash collector take a load every now and then. Slow process, but if you get any good quick-fix suggestions, I'll be watching.

Thanks for posting this problem.

 

[RNeumann]

"root grapple" bucket

Second this!

Also- can we say FIRE!!

 

[jfh28]

burying debris or burning is illegal around here so I'd go with your method of flagging the piles so you can see what you are dealing with and what size dumpster you may need.......I agree that a grapple bucket is the way to go.........Jack

 

[Sebculb]

I like the bury it idea w/burn first if convenient.

 

[MossRoad]

In a lot of places, recreational fires are permitted.... wrap a couple potatoes in foil and toss them in the fire just in case....