Clearing Forested Fence ROW

[MarEng]

Thanks for the info so far. I have seen a mulcher at a local construction site (with no contact info on it) - parked on a Sunday - but when I went back on Monday to try and get a contact number it was gone. Haven't been able to locate anyone with a unit using the traditional means (phone, internet).

High Beam touched on my other problem. My surveyor was supposed to place a t-post every 100' or so on the boundaries. He didn't and I haven't had any luck getting him back. So the plan is to use the GPS/Compass to get close enough and then stretch a string between the corner stakes and clean up the missed spots. I'm lucky in that I'm surrounded by unused timber land on one side (with an unreachable out of town owner) and the back side of a dam on the other. Nobody will care if I'm a few feet off. And the way stuff grows here - nobody will know by this time next year.

The comment about 12' is noted. My wife wants a walking track so the idea was to clear at least a 5' path inside the fence (wide enough for the tractor) and then lay down a bunch of spare trees that have been through the chipper/shredder. If needed, I can mow the path from time to time to control regrowth.

If anyone knows of a mulcher contractor in the Conroe, TX area - pls forward a number. The closest I can find is in the Beaumont area and I'm sure the trip charge is more than my budget for the job, esp. as Rita clean-up is still ongoing.

Brgds, Will.

 

[MarEng]

Thanks for the info so far. I have seen a mulcher at a local construction site (with no contact info on it) - parked on a Sunday - but when I went back on Monday to try and get a contact number it was gone. Haven't been able to locate anyone with a unit using the traditional means (phone, internet).

High Beam touched on my other problem. My surveyor was supposed to place a t-post every 100' or so on the boundaries. He didn't and I haven't had any luck getting him back. So the plan is to use the GPS/Compass to get close enough and then stretch a string between the corner stakes and clean up the missed spots. I'm lucky in that I'm surrounded by unused timber land on one side (with an unreachable out of town owner) and the back side of a dam on the other. Nobody will care if I'm a few feet off. And the way stuff grows here - nobody will know by this time next year.

The comment about 12' is noted. My wife wants a walking track so the idea was to clear at least a 5' path inside the fence (wide enough for the tractor) and then lay down a bunch of spare trees that have been through the chipper/shredder. If needed, I can mow the path from time to time to control regrowth.

If anyone knows of a mulcher contractor in the Conroe, TX area - pls forward a number. The closest I can find is in the Beaumont area and I'm sure the trip charge is more than my budget for the job, esp. as Rita clean-up is still ongoing.

Brgds, Will.

 

[mikim]

It ain't easy - but the wife and I did it using chainsaws & FEL ... slow -- but it works...and you have the added help of a BH..... Is there a reason you need to be in a hurry? We did about 600 feet a day - couldn't walk through it to start with - had to lead with the chainsaws.

 

[mikim]

It ain't easy - but the wife and I did it using chainsaws & FEL ... slow -- but it works...and you have the added help of a BH..... Is there a reason you need to be in a hurry? We did about 600 feet a day - couldn't walk through it to start with - had to lead with the chainsaws.

 

[Highbeam]

600 feet a day is fantastic. I spent a long time getting the perimeter road in. I considered it very important.

 

[Highbeam]

600 feet a day is fantastic. I spent a long time getting the perimeter road in. I considered it very important.

 

[MarEng]

Thanks for the replies and encouragement that this can be done 'manually' with good production rates. My need for speed is only that I have a day job that demands a lot of time, so my homesteading time is very limited. I try to look at each task to find the balance point between time and money and figure out the best way to go.

Plus as summer comes and days get longer I've been getting more and more trespassers who not only don't mind buzzing the house on their four wheelers, but also see nothing wrong with tearing down the no trespassing signs. When you confront them, they will argue with you about their 'right' to ride on your land - because they've always done it. I'm hoping a sturdy fence will put an end to some of this.

 

[Highbeam]

Stopping the four wheelers and other recreational trespassers is a long discussed topic here. There are underhanded dirty tricks like leaving a rat nest of barbed wire in the trail so that it gets sucked up and tangled in their gear and then there are fences that are easily cut with a pair of dykes. I don't know if you will ever stop them.

A clearly defined property line with fence is a great start. It is also a dragstrip for them.

 

[MarEng]

Working for the local Sheriff's Office gives me both more options and much more responsibility. A clearly set and marked fence line is required for both sure legal footing and a clear conscience. No, I'm not considering shooting or shooting at anyone. That occurs if I feel my family is endangered, with or without a fence. However, I will prosecute and need it to be clear they were trespassing and knew they were trespassing.

As for the booby traps - I drive those trails with the ultimate 4-wheeler (a tractor) and would rather not trap myself or have to move the mess.

 

[Highbeam]

I want to be sure you did not read me advising to shoot anyone.