Has anyone used Tree Terminator???

Kyle_in_Tex · Feb 3, 2003

I see these advertised in our local electric co-op magazine. Has anyone used one on a FEL??? I've got 52 acres I need to reclaim that has numerous ( 40 or more) mesquite shrub/trees per acre. The biggest are about 5" diameter, most are about 3" diameter. I plan on using small amount of chemicals on individual stumps to kill roots. Tree terminator Homepage
Thanks for any input

Casimir · Feb 3, 2003

Kyle:

Can't say I have used one, but it sure looks interesting. Just wonder how you keep the tree from falling towards the tractor? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif That screen doesn't look that sturdy.

ns_in_tex · Feb 3, 2003

Hi, Kyle,

I have not used the tree terminator. I do have a high reach tree clipper from http://www.precisionmfg.com/
It will only cut up to 8" hardwood and may not cut as near the ground as the one you show. I think it will cut up higher, keep you farther away from the falling tree and will rotate to cut horizontal limbs off. I have used it a lot, and have a lot more to do. If you were to go this route, I don't think you want it mounted to the bucket which is one of their options. The stablizing chains they show, I replaced with angle iron. Will be much easier to use if you have hydrastatic transmission.

I bought the one to mount to the bottom of the bucket, then built my on quick connect mount for the loader. I think I have other pictures posted a good while back on tbn.

Bird · Feb 3, 2003

No experience with the tree terminator; just saw lots of ads for them in the electric co-op's magazine all the time. But if you find a chemical that will kill the roots on those mesquite, I'd like to know what it is. I had neighbors try a lot of different things, but the mesquite always came back from the roots. The only success I've seen at keeping those things down was brush hogging a time or two a year.

Kyle_in_Tex · Feb 4, 2003

Dow Agro products
Bird, try this link, Remedy mixed w/Diesel (25% Remedy/75% Diesel) applied sparingly near the base kills most mesquite. You can mix food coloring with it to help see where you have sprayed. Remedy costs about $125 gallon, so sparingly is the key. My problem is I don't want to kill the trees in place, wait to dry out or die, then all the thorns fall off making our fields hostile to pneumatic tires. Some of these thorns are almost pencil thick and 2.5" long. I'm planning on cutting near the ground, pile into convenient piles, and burn.
Thanks for the input, the mesquite I'm cutting are not top heavy, but very thorny and I don't want to have to handle them at all by hand. They shouldn't pose a problem or danger falling on the tractor if using the FEL w/ the tree terminator(I hope).
Thanks again...Kyle

Bird · Feb 4, 2003

Kyle, next door rancher used the Remedy (I see there are two of them and I don't know which one he used). He claimed he mixed it right with diesel, and he did put blue food coloring in it. It looked like it killed everything above ground just fine, but then they just came right back from the roots. So . . ., I have doubts, but certainly cannot say for sure since I don't know which Remedy he used and I wasn't there to see how he mixed it.

Taylortractornut · Feb 4, 2003

Ive never used a tree terminator but I do operate a big tree shear on a 3 wheeled hydro axe. It has a short loader like arm and when you start to pinch through you start tilting the head, then at the same time it may be necasserary to raise the arms up. It could even work on a three point hitch with a hydraulic top link.

centex · Feb 5, 2003

Have you asked them for the prices yet?

jtn · Feb 5, 2003

What you need is a dozer with a grubber. The grubber goes on the front of the blade and uproots the entire mesquite tree. Then a root rake can be used to pile them up. I have looked online for a picture but could not find one. They are mentioned in several sites regading land reclamation. I have only seen (and used) one in Texas.

If you are interested in a dozer with a grubber you should be able to find one for rent locally. They do not take a lot of skill to use. Send me a PM if you want to hire it done as I know someone in the area.

JT