How would you tackle this project

[fireplum]

First,great site alot of info here "thanks"
My MIL has a nice 75 acre trak was cut 25 years ago
there are few tote roads through the property,
I would like to make a loop trail probally 2500-3000 ft of trail.
I can pick my way thru, there's nothing bigger than 2.5 diamenter,soft & hard wood.just thick as he!!
My FIL who passed away 2 months ago, left us a 198??
JD 755 only thing for attachments 4' bush hog and a MMM
My thinking was rent out a 5-7k mini ex w/blade
And just walk it thru knock down trees with the blade
the trees would all be laying in 1 direction
maybe bring down a chipper and back it down the trail.
A mulcher unit would be perfect, but cant find one to rent or hire
I'm open to all suggestions
Thanks

 

[VABlue]

Renting the mini ex sounds like the way to go to me. It would be able to knock trees that small easily, and also dig up stumps where need be. The one thing the big excavtors lack is a blade - you'd have to get a dozer (oor tractor blade) to follow up.

Aside from the work, driving an excavator is all sorts of fun!!! You'll probably want to dig out a pond, too...

 

[Cacinok]

vablue, some of the miniexcavators do have blades on them, albeit a small one. it will probably be enough to partially fill some of the holes left as the root balls are removed.

fireplum you may want to pick up a small box blade for that JD and use that to finish the trail. i am not familiar w/ that model of jd, but you could probably get a 4' box blade for a reasonable price.

 

[fireplum]

Thanks Guys, I think i'm headed in the right direction,
The BB idea sounds good,What's going to be the PIA is chipping the trees,
I only want to make a 5-6' wide trail

 

[JohninCT]

For making trails I would suggest you try to find someone in your area that has one of these skid steer forestry mowers. Can make a trails the width you want and shreds everything into chips. No trees or brush left for you to chip or pile and no stumps to deal with. Check out the construction equipment forum. There are a number of guys there that have them. Lots of pictures of their work too. Very cool.

 

[MarkV]

Given that you say the trees are no bigger than 2.5”, someone with a heavy bush hog could mow right through them. That type of mowing is done all the time for power lines and fire breaks. Personally I think a mini-ex is over kill for that small of trees. Seems like my 40 hp tractor would pop them out of the ground or a Bob Cat with tooth bar on the bucket would do the same. With 75 acres why not push the stuff into some piles rather than chip. You could burn the piles or I prefer to leave them as wildlife habitat. Little critters love piles like that to make dens.

MarkV