Brush Removing Implement

[john300exc]

A search of brush removal implements indicated the Brush Brute may be the tool I am looking for.
http://www.brushbrute.com/
I have 160 acres with large cane thickets and I would love to get rid of the cane if possible. Bush hoggin works temporarily but I am wondering if pulling them out of the ground with the Brush Brute would be a more permanent solution.
Anyone with a Brush Brute or similar implement care to share their experiences?


Thanks,
John

 

[Bowhunter]

It would probably work well. For the price of it though, I would personally brush hog, let the brush send up fresh shoots, then spray it with brush killer.

 

[rozett]

The problem with bush-hogging is it leaves small stumps that are very tough on the horses feet. I am thinking of having my local welder make up a small version of this thing. I've been doing it by hand.... wrap a chain around the trunk and use the FEL to pull it out. Makes for a looooong day.

 

[caylor]

I agree with trying to homemake a similar model to the brush ripper. A serrated 1/4" plate with some honed edges could be made to bolt on the the bucket of the FEL or stand alone without the FEL Bucket.

 

[DaMadman]

I wanna know how the heck they added 2 foot of length to a steel impliment and the wieght only went up 10 pound

 

[Bowhunter]

Good point. If I had horses that would be a valid concern.

 

[ns_in_tex]

Several years ago I built a similar unit to the Brush Brute, only a little narrower, which I think for pulling trees is better. I like it a lot. Here is a link to a thread on it. Shows pictures along with a little action.

This past year we built what I call a root rake grapple, which I think is a much more useful tool, although the other one has its place. This is a link to a thread on it.

If you wanted one and are not into building it yourself, I think the Anbo Grapple would perform the same if not better than mine.

 

[john300exc]

Thanks all and ns_in_tex. I think I'll print some photos from those links and take to a young friend of mine who claims he can make just about anything if it metal.

 

[Rip]

John, I saw another series of posts a few weeks back about a Grapple Rake from W R Long ( www.wrlonginc.com ) that combined the features of the BrushBrute with a grapple rake like the AnBo or the other one in this thread.

The beauty is it had the sharp narrow V slot in between each fixed tine to really grab the vegitation to rip it out of the ground and the full grapple function as well. Seemed like a nice piece of equipment for that type of work.

I have an AnBo grapple, which is very well built and works well for me, but I am usually not trying to rip stuff out by the roots.

 

[DavidVT]

I too am shopping for a brush brute but can't reach anyone at the numbers or email address on their website.

Building my own looks like a realistic alternative if I can find a bobcat style quick attach blank or plans for one.

I have a woods 1009 with skid steer style qa.

 

[have_blue]

I would be afraid that pulling roots could leave treacherous holes that horses could step in.

Last weekend, I "shaved" a good sized patch of brush with my FEL. (I sharpened my bucket blade once and it stays very sharp). I simply put the blade at ground level in a fairly low gear and low throttle and shave everything up to 2" in diameter off flush to 1" above ground. Any new growth will be bush hogged often enough to prevent it from re growing.

I noticed tougher brush like oak uproots instead of getting cut. More tender brush gets cut flush, and medium tough wood cuts about 1" above ground. Real small stuff sometimes escapes entirely, but the bush hog will get it anyway. Raising up the bucket or curling during cutting will often uproot the brush. Your results may vary.