How do I clean this up?

[Spencer]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Gotta convince her to spend the extra $2k. Any suggestions? )</font>

Let her know how grateful you are for her aproval of the first deal. Then explain that you are really only trying to save money by buying the larger tractor. If you buy the smaller and end up trading up later you will not only have to pay the additional money for the original price difference between the two but also the depreciation that you will have on trading in the now used tractor. Tell her the smaller tractor may do everything that you need but you are positive that the larger one will. The extra 2K over the life of the loan will be much easier to swallow than the hit you will take if you have to trade up later.

 

[have_blue]

Let the ground dry up. Get a 30' of 5/16 or 3/8 chain. Hook the chain to the smaller trees as high up as you can reach. Use the draw bar. Assuming you have 4wd, the trees will come right out. Drag them into piles somewhere out of the way. I did about 3a of my 10a plot this way with a very small tractor. I have about 2 acres left to thin out, and a bigger tractor now. I'm waiting for dry weather.

Oh yea, for stubborn trees, put a strain on it, set the brake, and chop a root or 2 with an ax.

Remember! Trees are MUCH easier to deal with than #$%^ stumps!

 

[Egon]

As some others have stated; lay out paths for the Atv's. These may be safer than a freeforall amongst the trees. A few open spots surely would not hurt but take time to fiqure out their placement so it will coincide with the terrain and existing trees.

And definetly, standing trees are easier to remove than a cut off stump.

Egon

 

[fivestring]

"Call the volunteer fire department, ask if they want to practice on a brush fire and consider a controlled burn. It would take out the underbrush and leave the mature growth."

I second Bob's idea.

 

[Boondox]

I have a tractor and all sorts of implements, plus a chainsaw and other assorted instruments of destruction. But in a case like this, I'd give the sheep a few months. Amazing what a hungry animal can do!

Pete

 

[PineRidge]

Looks like what I started with on my lot. My best clearing implement was the brush hog. I took it a little at a time. Don't go too fast thinning because it takes trees a lot longer to grow than to cut. Good luck on your project, I wish the kids safe riding.

 

[fishman]

Make sure that whatever you do is really what you want. Those are some beautiful woods you've got there. One thing I've found out is that you can't "uncut" a tree. If you leave most of it untouched, you'll have more privacy and the sound from your atv's is less likely to bother any neighbors that may be around. Just some ideas here. Have fun!

 

[City_Boy]

"Don't cut too much" seems to be a recurring theme in this post. I think I will take it slow and plan out what I'm trying to do here. Sounds like some good advice you guys have given out.

By the way, I'm having my tractor delivered tomorrow. Got the 2810 HST. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it.

 

[SPIKER]

Cityboy;

Boy where to begin, anyhow with over 10 acres of land you can get on a management and tax abatements if you get it set up right and save lots of $ using the CAUV. yes first off you need to g4et into some type of program, I suggest calling you're local DNR rep for the area, you can get set up so that you "GROW TREES" or some other type of product/produce and get some savings or even paybacks for much of you're work and equipment costs!...



By the looks of the photos you have mostly pine to contend with. the pine are not worth as much for lumber of harvesting, but get some advice from the forster guy first and he can help you make up a plan, which has many years to get pay backs and you will be under the farm tas bracket. he can show you WHICH trees to keep and which ones to cut. they usually can set up a walk through with in a few days... also I went thorugh ans cut a bunch of brush and scrub first, and could have been paid back for all that work if I had contacted them first!... DOU anyhow live and learn, and contact the state forster closest to you for free advice and planning on a walk through bases. also some states give cost shares back for clearig underbrush in forest fire areas, same for buying chippers rather than burning or pileing the tore out stuff up.

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[chucknj]

As others have said don't cut too much. A bit of a flat open area is good for the kids to learn how to slide and jump the atv's. they'll do it soon or later so might as well get them started in a safe spot. Get them chest protectors to go along with their helmets also. ATV's tend to follow you during a get-off and try to pound you into the ground like a tent stake. If you're kids are experienced riders then they know all this already. Keep most in wooded trails that's the most fun to ride in as others have mentioned.