Buying advice

[jrouss28]

The areas I intend to clear are mixed. I have sections with saplings that also have larger trees. Then, I have some really thick pine areas. My thought is to deal with the saplings with a brush hog. Cut the bigger trees and use the bucket to move the wood into piles. Use a landscape rake for getting smaller stuff together. Rent an excavator for stumps. Rent a chipper for the branches, then a box blade to clean up uneven areas.


Does that make sense? Or is my concept flawed? Or not practical?

Thanks

John

 

[Little Red Tractor]

I run a Kubota B2301. It handles my finish mowing of about 4 acres and about another 5 or 6 with a rotary cutter without a problem. I have rented an excavator when needed, and it has proven to be a LOT cheaper than buying a backhoe for the tractor--it also is more versatile.
Don't avoid checking the used market, thought some of the financing on new machines can make it less costly then buying even a sweetheart deal of a used tractor.
My continual advice is SHOP THE DEALER. You will never be sadder than if you can't get good service and a ready supply of parts--and a helpful parts counter counter staff is invaluable!

 

[2manyrocks]

The areas I intend to clear are mixed. I have sections with saplings that also have larger trees. Then, I have some really thick pine areas. My thought is to deal with the saplings with a brush hog. Cut the bigger trees and use the bucket to move the wood into piles. Use a landscape rake for getting smaller stuff together. Rent an excavator for stumps. Rent a chipper for the branches, then a box blade to clean up uneven areas.


Does that make sense? Or is my concept flawed? Or not practical?

Thanks

John

Suggest you post a picture so everyone can see what you are dealing with.

Mowing saplings that have gotten to be about 1" or so with a rotary cutter can leave behind stubs that puncture tires. It is easier to move wood with a grapple than a bucket.

The scope of all the steps you have mentioned doing gives me the impression that you could end up doing a lot more work over a longer time frame than if you hired a forestry mulcher to grind this material to mulch in place where it is and being done with all of it in a day. They can grind material down into the top layer of dirt so there are no stubs. Depending on the size of the mulcher, the practical limit for grinding a tree seems to be about 8" or so. If you have a lot of large trees, might just need a dozer. Chipping branches is still a lot of work feeding the chipper even if you rent a large chipper. A forestry mulcher can save you a lot of time and work with better overall results so you can get on with your project.

 

[Torvy]

For moving the big logs, a grapple is best, but pallet forks will work OK. To use the bucket, you will need to buck it down to logs.

The advice above is good, too. A land clearing business with a forestry mulcher can do wonders. They can 'eat' pretty big trees and the mulch lays down a nice barrier.

 

[drumminj]

Depending on the size of the mulcher, the practical limit for grinding a tree seems to be about 8" or so. If you have a lot of large trees, might just need a dozer. Chipping branches is still a lot of work feeding the chipper even if you rent a large chipper. A forestry mulcher can save you a lot of time and work with better overall results so you can get on with your project.

Our mulchers ground bigger trees than that, but left larger debris. Mulcher on a skid steer I think does a better job grinding things small and does less damage to the trees being kept/worked around. We had two of these big guys work about three acres for us.

 

[Jaygyver]

It just depends on how much time you have to get things done and the money you have to spend. And really how much YOU want to do.

Be aware that if you plan on storing the tractor in the garage or smaller shed, make sure you know the height of the ROP, (roll bar). Most newer tractors have foldable ROP's bars now tho.
As far as your grapple, are you going to be using it quite often every year or can you get away with a 4in1 bucket. I can use my 4in1 bucket everyday/year round but myself just don't have enough usage to justify a grapple sitting most of the time. Good and bad on either, the 4in1 bucket can only lift what it can fit in the jaws but can use it everyday. The Grapple can fit/lift how ever much your tractor can lift but can't move dirt, gravel, etc. and can sit for quite a while.
Forks are awesome, great for moving logs, downed trees, etc. I put most of my attactchmgents on pallets so I can move them around easier. I used the forks way more on my downed trees, mostly because the 4in1 bucket couldn't fit over the larger rounds.
And don't forget to get a tractor with a 3rd function and or rear remotes or look into putting them on yourself if your mech inclined.

My story....
I have around 5 acres, probably half wooded, and cut around 2-1/2 to 3 acres. 3/4 of the property was scrub brush when I bought it. When I built my home I rented a tractor every year but with my job it was a pain to plan out the weather if they even had one available to rent.
I was also looking at the ground clearance and ended up buying a 24 hp JD-770 tractor back in '98 even tho I wanted a 30+ HP tractor. But I got to thinking that I could still do the job with the 770 and the extra $ spent, extra hp and larger tractor would be overkill once I got caught up. I did get a 5' PTO finish mower at the same time and it still does great. It says it will cut up to 2" saplings, etc., and I never did get a flat, I guess I was lucky. I basically used it as a Cat the first few years. In fact I just replaced the completely smooth front tires on the tractor a couple years ago and never had a flat in the entire time I've owned the tractor. As apposed to the LS that within a year I picked up a nail at my neighbors place. Sheesh.

With that being said,
I did splurge on an LS 235 35hp tractor a few years ago only because we had cut down probably 2 dozen large trees around the house a year or so before I retired and just wanted them done and gone. I also do a bit of snow/road work for our area so wanted something a bit more to handle it. To have someone come in and cut/remove everything was actually more than buying the tractor. With the wife on one tractor and me on the other it worked out great. I did get a 4-1 bucket for the LS to move the logs and brush but just didn't have enough brush anymore to justify getting a Grapple.
With the heavier LS and the R4 tires it came with I really can't use it in the soggier areas in the spring and fall that the 770 could being lighter and having the R1 tires. Even with the 770 I still have to wait to do the first mow in the soggy area until around April if I'm lucky. I live in the PNW so it's hit or miss.