Question for experienced operators.

[coopers]

Using a dozer for what you want to do would work but IMO would become frustrating quickly. An excavator can do just as well as a dozer (actually better) and you can pile brush up without getting dirt in it. Digging out stumps and jus tmoving things around in general is easier with a hoe than a dozer. If you can get both working then that's a great combo but one machine show I'd go with a hoe.

 

[montelatici]

Using a dozer for what you want to do would work but IMO would become frustrating quickly. An excavator can do just as well as a dozer (actually better) and you can pile brush up without getting dirt in it. Digging out stumps and jus tmoving things around in general is easier with a hoe than a dozer. If you can get both working then that's a great combo but one machine show I'd go with a hoe.

Yeah, that's what I think too.

 

[tlbuser]

I like an excavator for clearing brush. I learned this technique quite by accident years ago, and used it ever since.. It takes some room to do it, but sure saves getting "slapped" by brush, and a lot easier on the hydraulic lines..

You can rake up the small stuff a lot cleaner than with a dozer, too. If your going to reseed, raking with the bucket, removes the roots etc. that may be kinda' hard on the disk, or whatever finish tool you use. Plus leaves you some nice dirt to work down, not pushed up in the pile to bury.

Just my two cents...

Yes, that technique does work well, however a root rake w/grapple will do it faster and easier for the smaller stuff, switch to digging bucket, bury and done. May be cheaper to hire it out, then maintain yourself. What size stuff are we talking about? If the intent is to convince yourself to buy a mini-ex, ok. If the intent is to get the best tool for the job, I have to say reconsider your options. Once you finish picking the riding ring and fence line, then what? If no more horses or interest, why not pull the ring fencing and just mow it down?

Oh, BTW, my previous post was just thinking about renting one of each to decide which way would be best for your long term desires.

 

[spo307]

EXCAVATOR with a grading bi angle blade, how big are the trees pc 40 might be small, get an excavator with hydraulic thumb, clamp onto a rail road tie or 6"x10' I beam and grade with that, I always use a machine with a stick b4 a dozer

 

[Taylortractornut]

An excavators would be great just hard on all the walking. A larger TLB is also good. Ive used my 75 Ford 3550, an industrial tractor loader with a hoe to cean up miles of fences and trees. I also have a PC50 UU grey market Komatsu with a thumb I use alot. A track cloader would also be great. I have cleared several hundred acres with them of all sizes. A 450 sized machine would be great the toothed bucket can act as a rake for clean up. With a 4 int bucket you already have a grapple to pick with and using the bucket properly as a scraper with the Apron to adjust it works like a charm cuttin grades and then using the moldboard of the blade for dozer work.

Then you can also load with them to. Ive bee an operator 15 years and used alot of machines but the best all around machine if only one is available. About a year ago I took a 555 JD trackloader with a 4 in1 and cleaned up 5 miles of fence row loaded with privet and pine and oaks. and some trees were 12 inches across. The big trees were sold as logs so I loaded them with the 4 in1 and grubbed the rest.