Best Technique/Implement To Clear Wild Jasmine ?

jeff9366 · Mar 24, 2014

I am ready to de-brush two acres of previous cattle grazing land heavily infested with yellow flowered Jasmine. ( I think it is Carolina Jasmine but it may be some other form of wild Jasmine. ) Under the Jasmine there are some junk trees and some Oaks, mostly Water Oaks, I want to save. Here and there the Jasmine has wild climbing rose mixed in.

I have an assortment of equipment:

Kubota L3560 with LA805 loader + L2296 Heavy Duty Round Back Bucket

68" Ratchet Rake.

Bush Hog (brand) 60" Rollover Box Blade with Rippers

Land Pride RCF2060 Rotary Cutter (rated for 2" slashing)

Payne's Bolt On Debris Forks for bucket

Howse 16/18" Disc Harrow (37 pounds per notched pan)

Ford 101 Series 2-12 Mouldboard Plow

Stihl chainsaw, battery Sawzall, assorted loppers, chains

I pushed through one area with the unadorned FEL bucket leading, towing the Land Pride RCF2060. The Jasmine is so thick the tractor could barely push through in HST/LOW + 4WD, while I worked the bucket up and down. The Jamine snatched at the the FEL stick and ROPS and I had to stop once to cut a vision path with loppers from the tractor. I got through but it was not a safe operation. Who knows what obstacles lurk in that Jasmine?

I tried pushing the LP-RC into the Jasmine in reverse. I managed to cave in the rear metal guard on my new LP-RC about 4" over 11" of the guard, which I was able to pull out using a pipe wrench and cheater-bar. I am not anxious to repeat that, exactly.

The LP-RC will chop the Jasmine. The question is how to pass LP-RC over Jasmine, safely, without wrecking it.

I can't hire this out. ( A Brown Tree Cutter on a BIG Skid Steer would clear it.)

Spray now? What stuff? ( I do not own a spray rig but I can borrow a 25 gallon unit. )

Another implement or bucket attachment?

Debris will be burned.

Suggestions appreciated.

murphy1244 · Mar 24, 2014

Time for a Grapple Jeff.

jeff9366 · Mar 24, 2014

I have been thinking about a root rake grapple but so far Payne's FEL Debris Forks (2,000 pound capacity) have met my needs.

The LA805 FEL is 1,279 pounds and the HD bucket is 397 pounds = 1,676 pounds. Before I can pick up more with the front end I need to acquire a heavier implement(s) or a custom ballast for the Three Point Hitch. I am considering a heavier, 72" Rollover Box Blade and a heavier 72" Cultipacker as options.

My predecessor Kubota B3300SU had 60" tire width. L3560 with R4s has 69-1/2" tire width.

murphy1244 · Mar 24, 2014

I bought a used Land Pride 3578 Manual Box Blade weighing 1100 Lbs.

jeff9366 · Mar 24, 2014

It is a beauty. What is its width?

Eleven hundred pounds is about the weight I need, I think. However, as a tool, I do not think my L3560 could utilize it. Also, I have become a fan of Rollover (type) Box Blades which are heavy for their width.

I am thinking a 72" Cultipacker; compact, heavy, and low draft force. I may ask Ken Sweet/Sweet Tractors/Kentucky to find a double roller Cultipacker for me. Those two-roller puppies are really heavy. (Also, Ken Sweet is always helpful.)

I do not want to load my rear tires nor add wheel weights. I have to roll over St. Augustine grass surrounding houses regularly. I do not want extra weight all the time.

https://www.sweettractors.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BRILLION7FTBIGJUN.ZONE.3

Sweet Tractors will convert tow Cultipackers to Three Point Mount for a nominal fee. I would need a 72" width.

I have a 60" ETA Cultipacker now.

http://www.everythingattachments.com/Cultipacker-6-with-smooth-wheels-p/eta-cultipacker-72.htm