Next project...to Clean up a clearcut area

[Todd_C]

My next project is to clean up a large clearcut. I am hoping to plant a small food plot (2-3 acres) for deer. I've got a lot of work to do. My house is in the background of one of the photos. The house is 640 yards from the National Forest line. I figure I'll be busy well into spring before I get this job finished.

 

[rico304]

Hey Todd, looks like you have a whole buncha work to do. My sister had a clearcut to clean. Much smaller than yours, but the same idea. One thing she did that I really love to this day was keep a bunch of paths clear while everything is growing back. It is really nice to walk her property now. She kept a small part as field which was nice as well. Good luck!

 

[Thomas]

Morning Todd.
Looks like a job for D8 dozer...after the project finish I would place picnic table at the highest point to enjoy the view also wildlife...best toward your project.

 

[jinman]

Hmm...Could you sell the TC30 and use some of the money for a root grapple? I think a grapple would sure be the "ticket" for cleaning up all the small limbs and brush. It would also be useful for clearing/digging rocks.

I'll be happy to spend your money for you.

 

[Slacker]

Based on the pic and my experience, that is a food plot! Lots of small plants and tree's growing. Give it another 2 years and it'll be cover for all kinds of critters. Make paths leading to a small field and plant grass. The deer will use the paths and graze the field.

The alternative is to have a dozer clear it of stumps and brush, then burn the piles. I'd not tackle that cutting with just a CUT. You'd spend more in fuel than it would cost for a dozer to do the job.

 

[andrewj]

My next project is to clean up a large clearcut. I am hoping to plant a small food plot (2-3 acres) for deer. I've got a lot of work to do. My house is in the background of one of the photos. The house is 640 yards from the National Forest line. I figure I'll be busy well into spring before I get this job finished.

well, I have got some strong opinions on this, so please don't take any of this the wrong way.

first, 2-3 acres food plot is NOT small. small food plot with your machine is quarter acre, half acre, and that can be a LOT of work without ag equipment.

Your tc30 cannot clear that acreage without excessive wear and tear on the machine. basically, you'd destroy that machine. A tractor is not a dozer.

Phase I
You need a dozer with a root rake. (not the 500 dollar kind you get at tractor supply.) Hire a professional to rake up all the slash. Burn it one cool saturday morning.

An added benefit of the root rake is a rough cultivation of the soil, a few inches down.

Phase II
plow with a pull type plow 8 feet wide or greater. (your TC 30 can't pull it through new ground.) Here's why I say you need the large plow: you will still have a lot of debris on the ground. You can either spend months wiht a landscape rake raking it up, or you can use a harrow big enough to chop it up and partially cover it with soil. Plow it at least 3 times, with a month in between plowing each time.

Phase III
soil sample. find out how much lime/sulpher you need for the PH, and find out how much N, P, K you need. add it with a spreader truck.

Phase IV
rent a grain drill from your county ag extension. drill a mix suggested by your agent. In VA maybe you will stick with KY 31 and white clover.

hope I helped you!

 

[Todd_C]

I guess I should have elaborated more on my post. A friend purchased 20 acres beside of my property and he will have a dozer here in a week. Although still not a large tractor, I have recently purchased a TC 40A. I want to leave most of the land alone because grass and trees have already started growing. I know this project is gonig to take a long time and I do not plan on using my tractors (I still have the TC 30 for another month) for much of the clearing at all.