Clear 60 Acres For Farm land

firecatf7333 · Mar 4, 2014

What's the best way to clear 60 acres to convert into tillable farm land( corn/beans)

it's a mix of light brush/ old apple trees( 20 acres) and the remaining brush and larger trees (6"to 36") in diameter. I will rent the equipment and do myself. I know someone I should be able to rent an excavator from, and then I would rent a dozer. Should I get the biggest dozer I can get? My father has run this equipment all his life....and will have the final say what I rent/ do....but i'm just looking for your opinions on here as well.

I own a older 1845c with grapple bucket- also can drag out trees with tractor- father has a new t190 but he won't want me trashing that clearing land

We could push into multiple brush piles and burn...but i'm going to build a house on this land and don't want to look at ugly brush piles.

I can cut down larger trees and drag out of woods to sell, but if I leave a 3-5 ft stump would that make it more difficult to remove the stump since it won't have the leverage if the tree was standing? This is what i'd like to do as I could cut down all the hardwood trees before I get the excavator or dozer so I won't need them as long. I will be able to do this full time as I won't have a job at the time.

I could rent a brush hog for my skid steer and clear anything 3" under before I get bigger equipment in...Would this small brush have roots below the ground that would cause a problem when I plow this land up?

land is flat but would be done in winter when froze or summer b/c it could be wet certain times of year. I won't be hiring anyone to do this as there is only a few people in my area and they would charge a fortune

Thanks

pmsmechanic · Mar 5, 2014

I would start with a part of the piece of land first and see how it goes. Sixty acres isn't much to work with when you plant the type of crops your planning on going with. At some time you might decide that you like the trees more than the ability to farm it. A 36 inch tree is a job when your dealing with the stump.

Santa Craig Cringle · Mar 5, 2014

firecatf7333 said:
What's the best way to clear 60 acres to convert into tillable farm land( corn/beans)

it's a mix of light brush/ old apple trees( 20 acres)

Wish I could have some of those old apple trees. Planting my first ones this year.

Bellafx · Mar 5, 2014

If property has good usable timber on it, sell the timber. Let someone pay your to cut and carry off. Have the biggest part done by someone else and you get paid. Then you clear what's remaining which should be smaller in size. Make sure they cut and clear to your specs so you don't have a mess. Less work on you, smaller equipment to rent, and less money out of your pocket.
It's just another way I was thinking. Could turn out good for you.

EddieWalker · Mar 5, 2014

Did you price what it costs to rent the equipment a month at a time? You wont find very big machines at the rental yard and you'll need to go to the dealers. Last time I checked, a medium sized dozer was something like $5,000 a month. I bought a bigger one for $25,000 that was well used and abused that has cost me another ten grand in repairs and countless hours working on it. I own 68 acres and I'm only clearing small areas. It's been a part time project that I've been working on for years. Not knowing your land, I would think that at the very best, you could clear ten acres a month down to the ground and have it all cleaned up. Getting them on the ground is easy, getting the mess cleaned up is where you will use up all your time. I've found that spring is the VERY best time for taking out trees. The soil is moist and they come out easy compared to summer when they ground is hard. I've never tried winter because the soil is too moist and you can't get anywhere. Is it easier to take out trees when the ground is frozen? I find that hard to believe, but I can't say either way.

You also might want to get some bids. A crew with half a dozen machines should be able t get it all done in a month easily. What they charge compared to what you will pay for renting machines might be comparable. I also know that some loggers will clear the land, ready for planting in exchange for the trees. You don't get a dime for the trees, but you end up with a field ready to plant.

Eddie

TomSeller · Mar 5, 2014

sleuth said:
Wish I could have some of those old apple trees. Planting my first ones this year.

I have some old apple trees that date back to 1880 when they were described on a county survey as "an old 150 tree orchard". About 40 still survive and I am losing a tree or two every year to termites. I am grafting the varieties onto rootstock and planting elsewhere on the property. It has been fun and I have learned a lot.

I'd work around those old trees, they give the property character.

Gary Fowler · Mar 5, 2014

Well, I cant say as I have ever seen a 200+ year old apple tree, but I wouldn't think that they grow that large, at least nothing like a 200 year old oak. For 60 acres, it would likely be worthwhile to buy a used excavator to dig them up. When finished, sell it or keep it as your need dictates. I have seen a few 40 Ton crawlers for $25-30K that look to be in pretty good shape. One that size would take out even the 36" sized trees easily, just have to be careful that you don't do like one video I saw where the tree fell across the excavator. Dig a bit on three sides and them push it over toward the uncut side.

firecatf7333 · Mar 5, 2014

Are larger trees(36") more difficult to remove if I fell the tree leaving a 3-5 ft stump vs leaving the tree standing and then pushing over?

TomSeller · Mar 5, 2014

firecatf7333 said:
Are larger trees(36") more difficult to remove if I fell the tree leaving a 3-5 ft stump vs leaving the tree standing and then pushing over?

I'd leave as much stump as practical for leverage. Varieties that also have big strong tap roots give me more problems than varieties with simple spreading roots.