Rotary Cutter Solution for Heavy/Dense Brush with 34 hp PTO tractor?

   / Solution for Heavy/Dense Brush with 34 hp PTO tractor? #21  
All else fails a tractor mounted saw like this one: TRACTOR SAW | DFM

-- may work though it wouldn't cover the full width of the tractor. Of course on the other hand it also wouldn't necessarily leave a mass of cut off partially busted up stumps....

Alternatively if they don't have spikes that would puncture the tractor tire a simple box blade may even do wonders. It's approach I've used on fibrous weeds that were 6-8ft tall & much more dense spacing with the the occasional small sapling of <1.5 inches in it. Just backed into the mess, dropped the box blade (rippers fully extended) and went forward ripping out all vegetation.

However, with the trees it might be worth using a bucket/grapple to push them over so they don't damage the underside of the tractor, but the rippers on a box blade should be able to pull them out by the roots ...if not at full width, then at least at a partial width. On that note a root rake design may also do the trick, though that might also be a bit more that a tractor loader is designed to really do (unlike a box blade which is meant to be drug through dirt to no end).

Of course if this is a one time task, it may also be worth looking at renting different options -- or even hiring it out (if it's cheaper). As nice as it is to buy new equipment, buying for a single time use is something that should really be weighed against other options..... For example, in my area I could rent a JD 450K bulldozer (with delivery) for a 40hr week for about the same/less as buying a new heavy duty 5ft-6ft rotary cutter ...and based on my experience with that vegetation odds are a clearing a couple acres wouldn't take more than a few days with the dozer (and at less than $550/day rental)

However, if this is also intended to be routinely used it may be worth looking at a small batwing rotary cutter like the Rhino AG TS10 (seen them cut through some pretty significant brush on the youtube "Tractor Time with Tim" channel).

On that note, these are just some suggestions and ultimately how you approach it is up to you as you're the one footing the bill and have the best knowledge of the terrain (and what you're willing to do).
 
   / Solution for Heavy/Dense Brush with 34 hp PTO tractor? #22  
See if you can get the local militia to assist.
tenor.gif

...or this :thumbsup:
 
   / Solution for Heavy/Dense Brush with 34 hp PTO tractor?
  • Thread Starter
#23  
All else fails a tractor mounted saw like this one: TRACTOR SAW | DFM

-- may work though it wouldn't cover the full width of the tractor. Of course on the other hand it also wouldn't necessarily leave a mass of cut off partially busted up stumps....

Alternatively if they don't have spikes that would puncture the tractor tire a simple box blade may even do wonders. It's approach I've used on fibrous weeds that were 6-8ft tall & much more dense spacing with the the occasional small sapling of <1.5 inches in it. Just backed into the mess, dropped the box blade (rippers fully extended) and went forward ripping out all vegetation.

However, with the trees it might be worth using a bucket/grapple to push them over so they don't damage the underside of the tractor, but the rippers on a box blade should be able to pull them out by the roots ...if not at full width, then at least at a partial width. On that note a root rake design may also do the trick, though that might also be a bit more that a tractor loader is designed to really do (unlike a box blade which is meant to be drug through dirt to no end).

Of course if this is a one time task, it may also be worth looking at renting different options -- or even hiring it out (if it's cheaper). As nice as it is to buy new equipment, buying for a single time use is something that should really be weighed against other options..... For example, in my area I could rent a JD 450K bulldozer (with delivery) for a 40hr week for about the same/less as buying a new heavy duty 5ft-6ft rotary cutter ...and based on my experience with that vegetation odds are a clearing a couple acres wouldn't take more than a few days with the dozer (and at less than $550/day rental)

However, if this is also intended to be routinely used it may be worth looking at a small batwing rotary cutter like the Rhino AG TS10 (seen them cut through some pretty significant brush on the youtube "Tractor Time with Tim" channel).

On that note, these are just some suggestions and ultimately how you approach it is up to you as you're the one footing the bill and have the best knowledge of the terrain (and what you're willing to do).

Thank you! Lots of good ideas to consider in your post.
 
   / Solution for Heavy/Dense Brush with 34 hp PTO tractor? #24  
Yes, that would work for sure, but I prefer avoiding herbicides as much as possible. Maybe there would be a way to burn them though?

Once I cut a bush down it is fairly easy to prevent it from growing by going back with my HD finishing mower. I was more looking for a mechanical solution to cut the bushes down...

I see the reluctance to spray with herbicide, but painting the stumps with a dauber is very safe and harmless except to what is painted. However, in your case it would be quite a PITA. My neighbor hired a huge flail mower on a Cat to take down all the stuff between his trees. Very effective. Don't know how much he paid.

Ralph
 
   / Solution for Heavy/Dense Brush with 34 hp PTO tractor? #26  
Something else for you to think about on that brush,
one of the side benefits to using a brush hog with well worn and rounded over blades is that they tend to break and shatter the bases of the brush so that they are not nice sharp spear points sticking up in the air looking for expensive tires.
Anything with sharp blades that shears that brush off nice and neat also makes tire spears. :thumbsup:
 
   / Solution for Heavy/Dense Brush with 34 hp PTO tractor? #27  
After spending a small fortune on bush-hogs(2),Stihl shoulder saw,50 hours with a 100 HP tractor and bush-hog;I finally got smart and "hired" a Skid Steer with a FECON head.He did more in four days than I did in ten years.
 
   / Solution for Heavy/Dense Brush with 34 hp PTO tractor? #28  
Baumalight makes a couple implements that could do the work- a super heavy duty rotary that has open blades in the rear to back into stuff, and a pto driven mulcher. They're not cheap though! And you'll have to back into 20 acres of brush. It'd probably cost less to hire a guy with a skid steer/track loader with mulcher head. It's certainly be easier on your neck.

At the least you will want a sturdy brush hog or flail to maintain it afterwards.
 
   / Solution for Heavy/Dense Brush with 34 hp PTO tractor? #29  
Have a unit bookmarked on my computer. The Perfect Tree saw. Plan on building one in the future. Seems simple and effective for small spindly growth.
 
 

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