My third post: Best way to clear brush

[HomeBrew2]

Sounds good! A few comments if you don't mind:
You will find that PUSHING the rake will do a tremendous amount of work for you.
We have a similar time restraint on burning. I used to think it meant I had to have the fire dead out by that time. I was wrong. Our time limit is for STARTING any new fires. That really extended my burning time.
If it's feasable and legal in your area, you might look a using a drip torch.
Cheers!

 

[Renze]

Somebody mentioned "real" hogs to clear undergrowth in bushes..

What about horses ?
My neighbor was ordered to take his herd of Haflinger ponies out of his pinewoods by the environmental inspection, because they were biting the shells of the trees, causing many trees to die... The fluid streams of a tree run through the outer part, so when it is bitten off the tree has a serious problem to withstand summer heat /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Apple growers, for that same reason, cut 3/4 of the circumference of apple tree shell off near the base, this causes the sugars indirectly obtained from the sun through photosynthesis, to be used for fruit growth instead of root growth.

 

[wfontjr]

i use my box blade to clear light brush and tree unders 4" or so, hit them as high up as you can, they push over, then run the blade low to push the root ball out of the ground, i then use my blade similar to your FEL to push a pile together, its a littler harder on the neck looking backwards, even harder when the tree does not give and the tractor has that sudden stop

 

[Highbeam]

This description is how you use a bulldozer except your neck doesn't hurt. I find myself using the same method with the loader and wonder if I learned the method from my dozer days.

 

[miltrade]

Update to first clearing project over the weekend:

Didn't go as well as planned. I just don't think I have the right tools. I decided to go ahead and venture into the brush (will post photos tomorrow) with a chainsaw and take down trees under about 6-8in in diameter at about 4 feet, then pull out the trunk and roots using chain and tractor. Then I tried to just topple everything else with the FEL, although I have no teeth on it. My JD 4200 seems to struggle pulling the larger ones out, and I ran into one section that had a multiple stump system of five 6inch diameter trees that would not budge, so I had to cut it real low and will have to grind it later. The chain-hook attached to my drawbar even started to bend out after awhile.

Some of the trees were too far gone leaning toward the fence and a couple fell on the fence. I cut them really high, and they weren't all that large, so no major breaks, but one top-rail cracked and popped off. The fact that these trees are so close to the outside of the fence makes me think that the previous owner was an idiot.

The tractor rake I bought was ok, but I bent one tine on a root.

Also wouldn't recommend this undertaking with turf-tires, which is what I inherited on my tractor when I bought the property (came with tractor and gator). Tractor has only 400 hours after one full year of my own use.

The Virginia burn regulations this time of year really cause problems also. You can't burn anything until after 4pm, which means you really only get two hours before it is dark.

The biggest problem I encountered is this:

I would cut down the trees, then pull out the remaining stumps about ten-fifteen feet down the fenceline. This left me with root systems of the biggest trees, tons of tanglefoot and other plants, dead logs, fallen branches, and other debris. It seemed to be too much for the tractor rake, but impossible to pick up with the FEL. Short of hiring some commercial company to come in and tear everything down, I have to completely rethink whether selectively clearing multiple acres of everything but the large trees may be too difficult.

To top off the "perfect day", I decided to go into the pasture and take down an 80 foot, 12 inch diameter non-hardwood tree (I am slowly trying to clear trees inside my pastures as well). Well, even though I notched it and cut a perfect hinge cut on the back, sucker fell the exact opposite direction of what I intended and the very top of it took out one fence top-rail. Great.

Any more suggestions?

 

[Jagmandave]

Only one, a tooth bar will make a huge difference in the effectiveness of your FEL, and they're not expensive. Under $200 for a 4ft one from Markham. They build to order, but mine came in like 3 days......

Oops, I see Soundguy already suggested this.....sorry.......

 

[miltrade]

I need to get the tooth bar, that is for sure.

 

[Highbeam]

Take smaller bites. You described going in too far biting with the rake and then trying to pull that mess through a ton of debris. Next time, only back in a short ways and then pull that out. There is no quick way to clean the brush out, lots of trips and good seat time. I don't usually run out of power so much as the pile of junk starts jambing up between the implement and the rear tires. Still smaller bites.

I am always amazed at the tremendous amount of debris that a small area makes. It burns quickly though.

 

[SnoFalls]

I'll reiterate the "smaller bites" ... venture in about 20' at a time, clear that out for easier access to the rest, repeat ... getting a good skid row is very helpful as you get further in.

Getting it all done at once isn't realistic with a CUT, but getting _some_ done a bit at a time gains experience and satisfaction (rather than disappointment).

Oh, and you will not regret a toothbar! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[rox]

Would the work go easier if you had a partner out there working with you? Sometimes, 2 people can accomplish 4 times the amount that one person can.

Stick with it, you only need to get some headway done, to get an area done and then you will start to feel some satisfaction that will drive you to keep at it. Please be careful, especially cutting down trees. Aways have an escape route planned for each tree you are cutting down.

Also are you working with branch loppers (or is is loopers?, lopers??)? Lopping off some of the branches will leave you with bigger sized trunks and large branches. If you lop you should be able to pull things around easier.