Clearing Woods - what attachments?

[602466]

I am in the process of clearing about 4 acres of woods. Taking out some dead trees and clearing the under brush. I am using my FEL on the trees and some of the brush. I want to keep it clean. What should I use once all is cleaned out to keep it that way? Do I use a rake, harrow, scrapper, box blade to keep the brush down? The FEL gets the big stuff but not too good on the weeds. The soil is that red clay so its hard as a rock.

Thanks in advance!

Wally

 

[firemanpat2910]

bush hog? the only way I know is keep it mowed with a bush hog.

 

[EddieWalker]

The only way to keep it under control is to mow it. You can spray with chemicals to kill off the broad leave plants and just have grass, which will make mowing easier, but you'll still have to mow.

Eddie

 

[602466]

I guess I am going to be taking out more trees to make the bush hogging easier and faster.

Thanks for the replies!

Wally

 

[EddieWalker]

Taking out more trees isn't always a bad thing. Trees that have more room between them, are usually healthier, stronger and bigger.

Eddie

 

[602466]

Eddie:

Yes you are right. I have taken down about 75 trees stumps and all. Most of the trees were insect infested. I had a friend that knows about forestry come over and pick out the trees that should be removed. Now I have two huge piles of this mess that I can't get ride of. I had a guy come over with a big tub grinder and give an estimate of 5,000.00 to grind and bury the bigger stumps. I took down the trees back in October. I cut truck loads into fire wood and put out a sign for free firewood, no takers. Its still too close and dry to light up those huge piles (you know I want to). I am now going into those piles, dragging trees to cut into smaller pieces to burn into smaller piles. So the thought of taking down more trees to add to the pile is not a pleasant one.

Thanks for the reply!

Wally

 

[EddieWalker]

Wally,

It sounds like we're in the same situation. I've tried over and over again to give away good oaks and pines. I get a few people that are interested, and a few that even show up. Twice I actually had people take some away, but then they never come back again.

It's turned out to be allot easier to get them "OUT" of the ground then it is to get them "OFF" of the ground!!!!!!!!!

I just finished building some forks for the front of my FEL that have been amazing at picking up lots, stumps and even branches. Now it's become allot easier and faster to get them to the burn pile. I still haven't tried raking up some piles and picking them up yet, but I'm pretty cofident that will work too. If you don't have a Grapple or 4 in 1 FEL, then I highly recomend some bucket forks.

Eddie

 

[602466]

Eddie:

This is my first tractor. I got the Bush Hog M246 FEL without the quick connects. I think it was or is an option. I will look into that to purchase a grapple for the FEL. You learn after a couple of weeks of manually loading the FEL with wood to bring over to the burn piles the hard way. Next purchase, more research and thinking ahead of the jobs to be completed.

Thanks for the advice.

Wally

 

[EddieWalker]

The grapple is the perfect, ideal tool for moving trees and branches, but it's also allot of money. Then getting it connected can be rather involved with running hoses and getting it all plumbed right. If you go that rought, be sure to post it here, because there are allot of guys who have done it and they can give you some pointers, or help you out.

Here is the link to what I just built that has been working out better then I had hoped for. You still have to balance the load, but it's really not an issue. My dad is here visiting and he's in his 70's. He's not the best at new ideas or finessing things, so my biggest concern was if he could use it. He loves it and we're both excited about how easy it is to pick up material and move it to the burn pile!!!!!

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/102060-forks-my-fel.html

Eddie

 

[ktm250rider]

If you guys want to drop those trees off, Ill take them all. Of course, it may be a long drive to NH. Up here, its tough to find free wood.