Going from timber to grass.....

PSDStu · May 18, 2005

And heres one after some work with the root rake.

I still need to disc it for some of the roots and vines still need to be chopped up.

chrishet · May 19, 2005

Thanks Highbeam and Stu, can you point me to an appropriate disc that I could use behind the D5? I was thinking about using the tractor to clean up behind the dozer but if the dozer would do a better job.... Thanks for your help and nice pics, both.

JoeinTX · May 19, 2005

It sounds like you may have a plan, but have you considered a roller-chopper for this job?

They have been used to good effect here in reclaiming pasture overgrown with small cedar and mequite. Basically, a large roling steel drum with cuttings edges that you pull over the trees...similar to the way you would plow a field. This breaks them down and creates a dense, dying amount of foliage close to the ground which then is very easily burned in controlled burns. After the burn, you go in with a dozer and rake the left over material, plow, and re-seed.

Now, from your pic, these pines look to be about 10' or so...? I've a D-6D pulling a roller chopper work over a pasture full of cab-high cedars with relative ease...and do it much quicker than pure grubbing. Maybe you should check with an experienced clearing contractor about this option and see what he thinks.

chrishet · May 19, 2005

We'll look into this idea, Thanks!

Highbeam · May 19, 2005

"This Kubota D37 did a good job on what was a real mess."
I'm going to go out on a limb and assume you meant Komatsu. The D37 is a decent sized machine, similar to that D5 or maybe a scosch smaller.

The reason for using the dozer to pull the disc is that you can get a macho super heavy duty chopping disc that will actually break up and chop stumps, roots, and debris into submission. A typical tractor is not capable of pulling this size of a disc. Big like 6 or 8 foot diameter discs that take mucho traction and power to pull through. These disc implements aren't very wide, just tall and heavy. Contact the rental place.

Got to agree that after a dozer with rootrake does its job, there will be very little left to chop up.

PSDStu · May 19, 2005

( "This Kubota D37 did a good job on what was a real mess."
I'm going to go out on a limb and assume you meant Komatsu. The D37 is a decent sized machine, similar to that D5 or maybe a scosch smaller.)

Kubota......Komatsu.............. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Geshhhhhhhhh....

The fact that the D37 is Yellow....should have been my first clue! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Highbeam · May 19, 2005

Yea, I know, couldn't resist. My international is somewhat related to a Komatsu.

MMM · May 21, 2005

If you don't plan to plant immediately and there aren't bigger stumps mixed in with small pines, a HD rotary cutter and subsequent burn would take care of it cheap. I did 10a of neglected pasture grown into pine thicket on my property. The 3" pine "stumps " left from burn rot amazingly fast. There's not much root to a 3" pine. I was able to disc it a year and a half later and plant bahia The pines need to be cut close so you don't cut a tire.
I used my Cyclone72, but if your nervous there's this.
Cutter

MarkV · May 21, 2005

I am thinking TBN rally. About a 100 smaller tractors with a variety of rotary mowers, grapples, and backhoes chewing up the woods. It would be a weekend to remember. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Chrishet, contact your county extension agent and see if they have any ideas. I am in N.W. Georgia and the extension agent has been a great source of information. At the very least you will want to get some soil test done before you plant grass. Almost all land in Georgia needs to be limed to help the acidic soil.

Good luck, it is going to be a big project.

MarkV

chrishet · May 21, 2005

Hey I like this idea! I'll buy the beer!

I just got back from our property and met with the forestry agent. What a great source of information. They were very helpful and gave me some great pointers. He also gave us the name of the soil and water agent for the county. Great idea!

His recommendation was to;

1) root rake the entire site with dozer
2) wait a few weeks
3) burn
4) disc harrow with a HD tractor
5) then go over it with my tractor and clean up the bits
6) either harrow again, lighter disc
7) harley rake, till, or pulverizer
8) plant grass seed

We close next week and hopefully we can get started in a week or 2. I'll post pics!

( I am thinking TBN rally. About a 100 smaller tractors with a variety of rotary mowers, grapples, and backhoes chewing up the woods. It would be a weekend to remember. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Chrishet, contact your county extension agent and see if they have any ideas. I am in N.W. Georgia and the extension agent has been a great source of information. At the very least you will want to get some soil test done before you plant grass. Almost all land in Georgia needs to be limed to help the acidic soil.

Good luck, it is going to be a big project.

MarkV
)