Rotary Cutter looking for guesstimates for how long it would take to clear 2.5 acres of blackberry

[houser52]

I give up. Why cant you just go forward? It would save a lot of time. A 1400 pound 4wd tractor should roll right over blackberry bushes.

That's what I was wondering. I can maybe see backing in between posts but just go forward down the middles.
I've mowed bigger stuff than that with an old 8N going forward. Blackberry briars are not that bad and doesn't work the tractor that hard. 2.5 acres shouldn't take that long.

$3000-$4000. That's crazy!

Just wear a long sleeve jacket or something. Those briars are rough and have an plan of escape from yellow jackets, hornets and bumble bees.

 

[bcp]

Driving forward I think you would need a cab or suit of armor. They may be 10-12 feet high and an inch thick vines.

If they are low enough, you can drive through.

Bruce

 

[dgarrett]

Are you just mowing the middles in between the trellis rows?

Yes, going down In between the rows of the trellises. It is a B2320 narrow without a FEL.

 

[dgarrett]

I give up. Why cant you just go forward? It would save a lot of time. A 1400 pound 4wd tractor should roll right over blackberry bushes.

Well, they are 2" thick in some areas and over 8ft tall in places spread out like a wall but 300ft deep considering the length of the trellis rows. The thorns cut right though my Carhartt overalls, I would need a cage. If I had a FEL I would go straight in.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Driving forward I think you would need a cab or suit of armor. They may be 10-12 feet high and an inch thick vines.

If they are low enough, you can drive through.

Bruce

It seems the front axle should fold them under the tractor, but if necessary on a low tractor W/O FEL you could rig a front "bumper" to spread them around you ... and of course not go as fast as the bigger rig videoed.

 

[Ed of all trades]

I did a place similar to yours with wild blackberries way over my head and sumac trees about 15 ft tall. I did it with my little massey with a 4' bush hog and it went a lot faster than I expected. 2 ac backing up in the rough stuff and 1 1/2 ac going forward. It took me about 3 days and was fun in a sick kind of way. I could only work at it about 3 hr a day. You should be able to be done in a looong day or two and when you are done if you are like me wish it was a little larger. a set of hand pruners really helps with the briers that swing over the tractor and grab on. Pick a cold day and put on a big coat and have fun. Ed

 

[Gary Fowler]

Using a rotary cutter and backing into 6-7ft high solid blackberries. I have a Kubota B2320 so I cannot plow through and flatten them before they are cut with the rotary cutter. The cutter is 48" and will raise it up and back into the berries. I had two quotes, one for $3000 and one for $4200. Both quotes were 3 to 4 days of work. I figure if I were to use my tractor and rotary cutter it would take me 4 to 5 weekends to get it done and wanted to get your opinion on how long it would take me. Much appreciated in advance!

For 25% of that price they should bush hog it then dig out the roots with a field cultivator. You will still have to deal with sprouts coming back from the left behind roots because no matter what you use to root the area, some are going to be missed. Stock up on some glyphosate for next summer and spray the new growth.
Even with your tractor and 4 foot BH it should not take more than 10 hours to do that acreage even if you have to back into them, cut what will, then pull forward, then back into the remains. It will go faster than you think. The bush hog isn't going to raise but so high then it will bind on the 3 PH and then either raise up your rear wheels or slash the heck out of those briars. Give it a try, you may be surprised at how easy it is.

 

[BoneheadNW]

I live in your area and recently used my rotary cutter to clear 1.5 acres of a mostly level lot. It took me about 6 hours total, although I had to deal with some pretty big hidden rocks. My biggest problem was the yellow jacket hive on the border of the lot (which remains there). I agree with the previous poster that said to have an escape plan if you encounter those nasty critters. It's amazing how fast you can run when faced with a swarm of yellow jackets! Another good reason to wait for a cool day to do the job.
Bonehead

 

[STx]

This must be far thicker than I'm imagining, we get these 6' wild blackberry mounds around here (SE Texas) and I just drive right over them and shred them. I do have an FEL but I keep the bucket low to find obstructions before the cutter does, our wild blackberries tend to smush down under it as you roll forward. With my NH TC40, I wouldn't expect clearing 2.5 acres of blackberries to take more than 3 hours. Here, they look like intimidating mounds but are mostly air under the top layer so they shred very easily.

Do you have pictures? What you have might be completely different than what I'm accustomed to seeing in the South.

 

[jeff9366]

In Washington State the wild Blackberries are rampant Himmalyan Blackberries.