New dozer and land clearing

[TxTom]

Starting to lean.

 

[TxTom]

On its way.

 

[TxTom]

Get under the root ball to loosen things up.

 

[TxTom]

To give you a size reference, I'm 6'3. Now it's time to cut out the firewood, move things around, and fill in the crater. If you notice all the dirt piles in the back, I'm taking a deep cut to get all the roots out from the brush. After lots of work with the rake I'll have plenty of dirt moving to do. So far I'm at about 95 hours on the meter and it's only been 1 month since starting. More as things happen.

Thanks for looking
Thomas

 

[DmansPadge]

Great action pics. Keep up the good work and be careful.

 

[jinman]

Nice job Thomas! It looks like you are having fun and getting a lot accomplished. That little Case dozer is ideal for that kind of work. Because oak trees seem to have roots concentrated in a ball around the base, I try to be careful about digging out brush and small trees near the base of oak trees. If I can't push them out, I'll cut them with a chainsaw. I'm afraid to dig them out and maybe damage the roots of nearby nice oaks. Postoaks don't like to be disturbed. I've lost a few due to being overzealous around their root ball. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[EddieWalker]

Tom,

Sure looks like your having fun! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

There were some posts on here at one time about some people getting hurt pushing over trees with a dozer because the root ball got under the blade. When this happens, it can flip up the dozer and cause all sorts of damage.

It's just one of those things I'm always cautious about.

Thanks for sharing with us,
Eddie

 

[Louisiana_John]

Sandy loam makes it nice digging out trees. I you ever have one like the last one that still will not come out after you dig around it. Take all of the dug dirt and make a ramp . Then drive you and push the tree higher on the trunk. Just dont drive off the ramp into the hole. When you cut the roots you can make the ramp at the same time.
Keep up the good work. I is time for me to get mine out and start again.
I know this was covered before. After I work burn piles I alway check the belley pan good before I leave the dozer. There can be a hot coal that might take a while to get a fire going in that mess that is always down there. After you fuel up and grease up climb up and use your nose to smell in the engine hood. Make sure you have the tools in you box to pull the cover off in case of fire. That way you can toss dirt on the fire. Just my 2cents.
John

 

[EddieWalker]

John,

Good point about working around burn piles.

I keep a large fire extinguisher behind my seat in my dozer.

I'm always worried that a hose will bust while I'm punching up a fire and the oil will catch on fire. It's one of those scenerios that's never happened, but I'm still paranoid about it.

Putting out a fire on my dozer before it gets out of control and to minimize the damage is a huge concern. A fire extinguisher is cheap insurance.

Eddie

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Tom,
#1 Your havin way too much fun /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

#2 Dont know how much firewood you need down there but it looks like you got plenty /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

scotty