Please Help a Newbie

[warcat]

Posted this in the attachments forum, but thought it might be good to post it here also...


How's it going fellas... like the title says, I'm new to owning a tractor and everything that goes with it. I've got a growing problem that I need some advice on. Here's the deal:
Ranch is in south Texas, native growth is mesquite, huisache, etc. I've got approximately 30 acres of fields that were usually planted each year with hay grazer, cut, and baled until around 3 years ago. In the last 3 years, nothing has been planted, and the fields have not been worked. Now I've got small to medium trees (mesquite, huisache, etc) coming up. Most trunk diameters are in the 2 1/2" range, with some around 3". There has been no substantial rain in over a year. The ground is hard. Compounding the problem are hog rootings (mounds, craters, very uneven surface) throughout the fields. I'd like to get the fields back in working order, or maybe even plant a permanent type grass that can be baled yearly. I'm pretty sure that this year is my last chance to do something before the fields are completely overtaken. What do I need to do? I own a 55hp Mahindra w/loader, but no implements as of yet.

Your help/advice for this newbie would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Tim_in_IA]

I vote for a toothbar for the loader or a root rake. Drive right up to the trees and rip em out. with a grapple you could move them around too and pile to burn. Other option is a log chain and yank em, but that is a lot of on off work.

toothbars are around $300-400 and they catch a lot of stuff and do a good job on roots. I just got a root rake grapple so I could sift out the dirt and really get a grab at the stuff. They can be had on ebay starting at around $1200. Backhoe is the most expensive and least convenient option since you have to park and work everytime. I use mine on big trees that I don't want a stump left on.

Once you are done with tree removal a large disc is your friend. It will really level out the ground after a few passes. If you have really deep ruts maybe also a rear box blade, as big as you can get that covers your wheel tracks. I run an 8' midwest on my 6500.

 

[warcat]

I vote for a toothbar for the loader or a root rake. Drive right up to the trees and rip em out. with a grapple you could move them around too and pile to burn. Other option is a log chain and yank em, but that is a lot of on off work.

toothbars are around $300-400 and they catch a lot of stuff and do a good job on roots. I just got a root rake grapple so I could sift out the dirt and really get a grab at the stuff. They can be had on ebay starting at around $1200. Backhoe is the most expensive and least convenient option since you have to park and work everytime. I use mine on big trees that I don't want a stump left on.

Once you are done with tree removal a large disc is your friend. It will really level out the ground after a few passes. If you have really deep ruts maybe also a rear box blade, as big as you can get that covers your wheel tracks. I run an 8' midwest on my 6500.

Based on price, I'm leaning towards a toothbar- theoretically, once I take care of the problem, it shouldn't come back if I keep on top of things- so I wouldn't have any use for a root rake grapple later on. Is a tooth bar installation as easy as it looks? A couple of holes drilled on the sides of the bucket, then bolt it in?

Any tips on using the teeth on the trees?

 

[AchingBack]

The toothbar installation is very easy to do. It is one of the least expensive, and most effective implements. You will also appreciate a big landscape rake. For clean up, grading, and creating seed beds, it can't be beat. Those two attachments will make life easier.

 

[Tim_in_IA]

Toothbar is just a few bolts. You need a sledge hammer to get it fit tight the first time as it might have a slight difference in form from your bucket. Thanks for giving me an excuse to dig up these pictures from my installs. I love new toy days!

Toothbar is great! Don't forget the disc though to level.

 

[biggblu601]

nice pics. i might have to invest in one of those bars for my loader. it will prob,help with my moving gravel and what not around. nice.

 

[Tim_in_IA]

I think these are the guys I got it from. They are super nice. I just had to take a measurement of the inside edge to edge I believe. Their website looks more like a blogsite now but you should be able to get a number to order from.


Markham Welding - Home

 

[Nissan197]

I ordered mine from the same place. Very good people to deal with.

 

[johnsonauto]

We have been selling tooth bars made by W.R. Long for years, they have been great for us. You would be looking at $410.00 plus freight for a 72" tooth bar rated for loaders with up to 3500lb 8 teeth and a weight of approx. 133 lbs. (STB model) or you could go with the (TB model) rate for loades up to 3,000 lb lift for $ 311.00 plus freight, 8 teeth with a weight of approx. 67 lbs.
The nice thing is they are made to fit you bucket dimensions. If you need 69 3/4 or 70 1/4 they make them to fit. Usually it take approx. 7 to 10 days to see it. Here is a link to our catalog page for WR long with some pics.
New England Tractor | W.R. LONG

 

[warcat]

We have been selling tooth bars made by W.R. Long for years, they have been great for us. You would be looking at $410.00 plus freight for a 72" tooth bar rated for loaders with up to 3500lb 8 teeth and a weight of approx. 133 lbs. (STB model) or you could go with the (TB model) rate for loades up to 3,000 lb lift for $ 311.00 plus freight, 8 teeth with a weight of approx. 67 lbs.
The nice thing is they are made to fit you bucket dimensions. If you need 69 3/4 or 70 1/4 they make them to fit. Usually it take approx. 7 to 10 days to see it. Here is a link to our catalog page for WR long with some pics.
New England Tractor | W.R. LONG

Didn't see the STB model on the site.... but I'm interested. How much to ship to 78413? I'm comparing prices right now.