Grapple or Brush Hog?

[mcfarmall]

My list of most despised is this, in no particular order:
Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus)
White Mulberry
Boxelder
Eastern Red Cedar
Wild Honeysuckle
Autumn Olive

Sassafras is annoying but not a hill worth dying over.

 

[lennyzx11]

Thumb on the bucket and brush hog mIgor be the way to go

I agree.
I have the EA grapple and love it.
And a Landpride brush hog that I’ve been using to do exactly what you are wanting to do.

But I’ve also about talked myself into getting a thumb on the bucket to avoiding switching from bucket to grapple.

The Thumb - Add-on Grapple Attachments

 

[oosik]

I'm probably biased. I have a Land Pride grapple/WR Long 3rd function valve. I have 80 acres and, more or less, nothing to mow with a brush hog. I certainly do appreciate the grapple.

 

[Rustyiron]

You seem to have a plan, getting out the bigger stuff with a grapple first allowing you to mow later with your next attachment. You will eventually want both.

 

[fried1765]

My list of most despised is this, in no particular order:
Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus)
White Mulberry
Boxelder
Eastern Red Cedar
Wild Honeysuckle
Autumn Olive

Sassafras is annoying but not a hill worth dying over.

Maybe add:....an invasive vine ...BITTERSWEET !!

 

[Muddybuckeye]

Thanks for all the great input. It’s exactly the reason why I joined this forum. I know i stated earlier about the brush hog but since then Ive decided to go with the 55" EA root rake Grapple. I figure i can get a lot of things cleaned up and ready for brush hogging and rent a brush hog until i save enough to purchase one. I can rent a brush hog but not a Grapple so that is one big factor in my decision. Everything everyone said made sense and I'm sure the brush hog will be a most used tool eventually. I also learned that I most likely have autumn olive and not russian olive not that it makes a difference based on my location. I wish I could be there to find out but i won't be up for a couple of weeks. The grapple is 3 months out so Ill be happy to give a review then.You're welcome to keep commenting because I gather information from all.

 

[JethroB]

Sounds like you have a good plan. Given the 'trash' you described on the ground I'd think you'd have a rough time mowing without cleaning up some first.

 

[Muddybuckeye]

Update on my progress. I received the grapple in June on 2021 and started my clean up of tree tops from the oak harvest and downed ash trees. It did an really good job where the autumn olive was not overwhelming present and the grasses not high. I saved up for a used Brush hog and got two uses out of it after Labor Day. It ran over most of the olive and small trees and did an excellent job of exposing the larger branches I would have to grapple out. Mind you I used to use a logging choker to pull them out so the grapple save a lot. I was impressed with the Brush hog on how useful it was and will be.
It now is mid to late winter up here in mid Michigan and I come up maybe once or if I’m lucky twice a month for the weekend. It’s been mild here of late with not much snow or snow that has melted, so the tractor has been used with the grapple to get back going on the downed tops. With the grasses down and the AO the only obstacle it the way of the tops the work with the grapple is going very well. The ground being at a good temperature too for digging under the branches enough without it being so soft that I bring up a bunch of dirt, and the teeth of the grapple riding on top of the frozen ground for gathering and picking the branches easily.
I know that had I not purchased the grapple first and had the brush hog I would still be dragging the tops out because it would be getting the job done. I did think I would be able to dig out the AO with the grapple. I’ll give it a go in the spring but I’m not overly optimistic and won’t waste much time on it knowing I can just mow them down now, although I wanted to eradicate them not just control them. plus there are a few small pines mixed in that I don’t want damaged by the brush hog. I got plans for that situation but I’m still focused on the downed branches so that I can brush hog over the AO that was growing over, under, and sideways.
Anyways I just wanted to fill everyone in on how my decisions worked out. I will say a brush hog is probably a must have where a grapple is more of a luxury but I’m very happy to have been able to get my hands on the luxury to complement the must have.