Brush Clearing Estimate

[gerard]

Reason they won't rent a rotary cutter is they probably get too torn up by renters. While they would be a better choice for heavy brush they aren't as forgiving when you hit rocks. A flail on the other hand can hit rocks and, since the cutting blades are flexible and small they don't get as damaged. They also won't throw things like a rotary will. Problem is they are better suited for grasses and LIGHT brush. Without seeing the size of the actual vegetation you're going to bbe cutting it's kind of hard to say if a flail will even do it. I'd take some pictures to your rental agent and see if what he's renting will do what you want. Flails wont' work as well on woody shrubs/bushes that develop actual trunks. Now they also rent skid steers with brush shredding attachments that will eat right through just about anything but a small tree but they also come with a higher cost..........

 

[Casimir]

I have seen at least two types of flail mowers. Both rotate the "flails" vertically around a horizontal shaft, where a rotary mower rotates the blades horizonally around a vertical shaft (clear as mud? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif).

Some "Flails" are made of heavy rubber tubing or belting that beat the grass and small shrubs down -- kinda like a weedeater. Others have metal knives that chop up the material. These work better on brush, but you have to make sure you keep it just above the ground, so the knives do not contact the ground. Big rocks can be a problem with this type.

Since you showed one picture that looked like it had been mowed before, I think either type would work fine for you, and the previous mower (person) probably removed any large objects that the mower could hit (or he knew where they were, so he could avoid them /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif).

The advice about keeping the FEL low for balance and to bump into any immovable objects before the mower does is good. I wouldn't have any hesitation in tackling the job if you start on the flatter areas and take it slow until you feel like you know what you are doing. Any rental place should at least offer basic instruction in running their equipment.

Good Luck, and let us know how you do.

 

[SLOBuds]

Your comments are well taken and, while disappointing because of the very large cost I will incur to hire this out, will most likely not attempt this project as the result of your observations. You sense a few safety issues related to non-experience, and the higher possibility of accident.

I take it from your remarks that most people learn (or should learn) in a deliberate fashion, preferrably with someone watching or otherwise coaching as they go.

 

[Spencer]

Maybe one of our TBN members live close to help you out. You could go over to their place to learn or they might even come over to your place. I know if you were close enough to me I would be glad to have you come over and learn on my machine.

 

[JohnMiller3]

<font color="blue">…clear out brush from my new 10 acre farm. …decided to rent a tractor and give it a shot myself as a training exercise for me. It will be a Kubota L2900, with flail and FEL…</font>

Hi Martin,

I think it’s great to rent a tractor, stay on some flat terrain, pick up some valuable and safe experience “under a watchful eye” and maybe progress to the next level…

But sometimes, we can tend to bite off more than we can chew… I believe that may possibly be true in your case right now…

As much as I love flying, I don’t think I could go down to the airport, rent the plane and take-off to fly somewhere, learn some of the ropes of flying and gain experience as I’m doing it… least of all… by myself… /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif It would be a small miracle if I would survive… /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Let’s see… one unfamiliar tractor, with loader, brush hog/meat grinder spinning at ~ 175 mph, (total weight ~~ 5000 lbs.), hills, inclines, hidden gopher holes, ditches, creeks, etc., unfamiliar terrain, coupled with an eager to learn and please greenhorn operator, under no supervision sounds like a deadly disaster waiting to happen…

You’ve got way too many variables to handle simultaneously that can and will (Murphy’s Law)… go wrong… being a newbie… and in your words:

<font color="red">… “I have NO experience on a tractor, how long do you think _____________________?...</font>

I’ll let you fill in the blanks… (it’s scary!)

For now, how about hiring a local farmer down the road, have him give ya some instruction for the future, but in the meanwhile, let him do the hills and such, while you observe from a safe distance and maybe save the tractor rental for something easier/safer… being much lower/safer in the tractor learning curve… /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Friend… please don’t misunderstand and take me the wrong way… I just don’t want you to hurt or kill yourself… /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[jmattox1]

I agree with most of the above. I have had a tractor for over a year now and every time I get on it to complete a task I think way ahead before the turn of the key. How should I do this? What is the safest way to do that etc.,etc.,etc.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

To everyone else's good advice I would add to be sure and rest when you're tired. That seems to be when everything bad happens to me. You get tired and either try to work too fast, or your mind is not as clear.

Also, you're smart to stick with one attachment and have the rental place put it on for you. Changing out attachments can take a long time when you're learning, especially PTO stuff.

 

[SLOBuds]

Thanks everyone. Great advice, and detailed too! Very nice.

I've decided this isn't the right thing for me to do now. Too bad!

I think that I will talk to the rental yard and see if they know any 'frequent renters' who hire out for brush clearing. Then just tag along with THAT guy for the day or two.

Appreciate the feedback.