Clearing trees with FEL

[johnnyringo]

I currently have a 15 acre patch on my 80 acres that has lots of small trees. By small I mean anywhere from sprouts to six inch diameter trees. Is it possible to clear small trees like this with a FEL? Maybe my real question is will I tear up my equipment by doing this? I've seen it done on my cousins property but I guess I'm a little hesitant when using my own equipment. They were basically toppling the tree first by raising the FEL almost as high as it would go and then using the bucket to break the rest of it out of the ground after it was toppled.

I have a big tractor - Massey 285 with a 2846QT Bush Hog FEL but I just got the front end loader and don't want to break it. The tractor weighs around 7000 lbs without any attachments so its got plenty of weight.

I know this is a job that is probably best suited for a dozer but my area is in such a construction boom that it is hard to find someone that will take on a small job without a big job price. All the guys that are highly recommended are booked up for six months and demand a premium.

Thanks,
Johnny

 

[mikim]

I do it with my TC45 ...SMALL TREES ONLY ....(and primarily cedars) just go at it slow ... I tend to "lean" against the tree with the loader at about 1/2 high ... then 'bounce" the clutch to rock the tree til it starts to uproot ... it helps to dig around the base a bit first. If it's small enough I just go at the root from the jump and try to pop it by curling the bucket ---- my new root grapple bucket works really well for this. You have to be real careful though as those darn things will sometimes snap and if you don't catch it before it snaps all the way - it can end up in your grill. I pay very close attention and listen for any cracking -- if it cracks a little - I back off and dig it.

 

[brandon07]

I also do it with my 990, mostly small pines and a few small oaks. I have took out about 200 pines along my property line that were about 6" in diameter maybe a bit larger, but it was after a very good rain and they were all fairly easy coming out.

 

[jinman]

I have a big tractor - Massey 285 with a 2846QT Bush Hog FEL but I just got the front end loader and don't want to break it. The tractor weighs around 7000 lbs without any attachments so its got plenty of weight.

I know this is a job that is probably best suited for a dozer but my area is in such a construction boom that it is hard to find someone that will take on a small job without a big job price. All the guys that are highly recommended are booked up for six months and demand a premium.

Johnny, I think you have plenty of tractor there to push over small trees. Like Mike mentioned, you will do best to undercut the roots on any size tree on the side you are pushing from. I also do not like to push much higher on the trunk than my own eye-level from the seat of the tractor. With the bucket higher, too many bad things can happen. One slip and your tractor may suddenly surge forward or sideways. This could lead to a rollover.

Of course, I cannot see your trees and don't know some key things like how tall they are or how much dead wood is up in the tree, waiting to come falling down onto your head or damaging your tractor. You ALWAYS have to plan for the worst situation and hope for the best. My trees are generally less than 25' tall and 6-8" diameter. Larger trees can be pushed after they are undercut. Also, ground moisture is a big factor.

A dozer is by far the best choice because most have falling object protection (FOPS) and are just far better suited for tree felling/clearing. You can sure do a lot of good work with your tractor, but consider all the safety issues and be cautious until you get a feel for the process. For brush type trees or small ones, I'd sure give it a "whirl" to see how I could do.

 

[Highbeam]

Sure you can do it but you will quickly find yourself frustrated if you don't remember a couple of things.

1) Push on the larger trees and if they don't give up then move on. If you need the tree gone and you have no backhoe then chainsaw the tree low to the ground and move on. You will beat your machine to death trying to get trees and stumps out of the ground that don't give up easily. Waste of too much time.

2) You will generate huge piles of slash. You will be well served to clear out an area and then build the slash pile in the clearing. This will allow a cleaner and taller pile and will prevent the slash pile from containing hidden rooted stumps and trees.

3) You can mow most brush up to about 3" if it is green and can be pushed down by your loader. The brushhog makes a nice bed of duff and chips out of the old brush. Mowing will substantially reduce the slash pile size and leave organic stuff in the field.

What you intend to do with the area afterwards makes a huge difference. If you just want pasture then you can leave the roots and low stumps to rot. If you need to grub the area so that it can be cropped then you will need to rake out all the roots and stumps into a huge, wet, and dirty pile. I tend to go for a pasture where all the stumps and roots are low enough to allow mowing to a decently low height without hitting the stumps. Grubbing 15 acres is definitely a job for a dozer with a root rake.

 

[Matt_W]

I have been toppling small tree's (3" to 4") and brush with my little tractor. It seems a bit easier before they are cut so the weight of the tree helps to pull up the root. Also placed my burn pile of slashings on stumps too big still in the ground to get rid of them. It is time consuming but works.