Removing Shrubs Hedges

[Fusefinder]

I just recently purchased my first CUT a Kubota 2360 W/FEL. My plan is to remove shrubs hedges in front yard right along a fence line. They are about hip high. I would like to keep the fence intact but, wont be upset if the fence comes out with them. There is a lot of Poison Ivy in there and I am seriously allergic ( hoping for a little to no physical contact solution). I have about 200' of hedges to clear. What would be my best options. I am open to all suggestions. Planning on a fall or spring project.
Thanks

 

[TripleR]

I have no personal experience, but a lot of members use a ratchet rake for things like that.

Ratchet Rake, LLC - Tractor attachment, Bucket attachment, Loader, Skid loader, Kubota, Skid steer, Landscape rake, Brush remover, York Rake, Harley Rake, Rock Rake, Tractor rake attachment, Construction attachment, New Holland, Bobcat, Fire safety,

 

[dave1949]

If they aren't really close to the fence, you might be able to just root them out with your FEL. Push on them about 6" above the ground level with your FEL cutting edge and see if you can get the roots up a bit on that side. Then back up, put your bucket at ground level and push on the uptilted roots, they might come out roots and all. I've had good luck with that method this time of year when the ground is dry and the wood is not as flexible as it is in Spring.

Then what? I would say pile them up and burn them, but you will have the poison ivy mixed in and burning poison ivy is dangerous. The smoke can get into your lungs, very bad, and will carry the stuff to your skin.

Dave.

 

[Fusefinder]

They are right up on the fence. I may have to remove the fence to take them out anyway. I have cut through the fence many times over the years trimming the hedges.
The burning Poison Ivy lesson was one I learned the hard way twenty years ago...breathed it in and broke out over 100% of my body...I also suspect that it why I have such a serious reaction now.
Thanks for the input

 

[KU Gator]

A couple of tools I have for the tractor are the quick spade and the brush grubber. The quick spade chains onto the bucked and is like having a big shovel on the front. It is heavy built, weighing about 85#. The combo version will work on a bucket or forks. You can maybe get it under the roots and pop them out. You will need plenty of weight on the rear of the tractor.

Paumco Products Quick Spade Combo — Model# 1101-Quick Spade | Skid-Steers + Attachments | Northern Tool + Equipment

The brush grubbers are pretty good. Best used with 2 people to avoid a lot of getting on and off the tractor. But it will put you in contact with the ivy. They do have bucket mounted versions, but I have not tried one of them.

Brush Grubber, Model# BG-01 | Weed + Brush Removal | Northern Tool + Equipment

I have a ratchet rake, but haven't had a chance to use it much. I think it is best suited to removing viny type brush. Would probably be helpful getting the ivy out of there.

Could rent a small backhoe or track hoe.

 

[nspec]

I have a pair of bucket hooks. A chain choked around the base of the shrub and curl back the bucket....pops right out. I've popped out 7-8 foot pines and cedars that way. You get the whole rootball, which makes it very nice and clean. Only takes a minute to set up, so a hedgerow shouldnt be a big deal.

 

[dave1949]

Thinking of nspec's chain approach. I wonder if you had 2 or 3 choker chains, or cables, if you could attach them to your draw bar together on one clevis, then one chain or cable to each bush. Get them set and drive forward. You might be able to get two or three at a time, I assume they are fairly close together. You would be pulling away from the fence too.
Dave.

 

[Deere Dude]

I just recently purchased my first CUT a Kubota 2360 W/FEL. My plan is to remove shrubs hedges in front yard right along a fence line. They are about hip high. I would like to keep the fence intact but, wont be upset if the fence comes out with them. There is a lot of Poison Ivy in there and I am seriously allergic ( hoping for a little to no physical contact solution). I have about 200' of hedges to clear. What would be my best options. I am open to all suggestions. Planning on a fall or spring project.
Thanks

They sell poison ivy killer at the farm supply story. If I was that allergic I would hose the area down with killer and then come back in a month or so and take care of the rest of the stuff.

 

[crash325]

The best implement for the job is a back hoe. If possible buy 1, rent one or find a friend that has one. If you have never run a hoe, get some practice or hire hoe & operator.

#2 Use your FEL and back drag. Get the front of the bucket vertical with the fence, lock brakes and curl bucket towards the tractor. If it still pulls the tractor into the fence, take a smaller bite. Once pulled away from the fence, you can just run down the fence, if needed to get the roots out dig in a little at a time.

Before digging out the brush, dig a hole large enough to bury the poison ivy and everything else.

Free Advice and worth every cent. :thumbsup:

 

[J_J]

Kill the fence row, and come back and use something like a four-in-one bucket, like a clam shell to just clamp and pull out, and never touch the brush. Dig hole and bury. Treat the ground after digging again for any residuals.

http://www.everythingattachments.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/small 4-in-1open.jpg

Might be able to rent them.

 

[JohninCT]

If you are talking boxwood hedges, the simplest thing is to use a chain wrapped around the base. They pop right out. Wear long sleeves and pants to protect yourself from the ivy and wash yourself and your clothes right afterward.

 

[kensnelling]

I'm also blessed with an extreme poison ivy allergy. What has worked best for me has been to wait till winter to work on the ivy. The leaves on the plants are gone then, and I've been told, the sap in the vine is in the roots, like on a tree. Been doing it like this over 15 years no and haven't ever had a winter ivy rash. The other 3 seasons we won't talk about ivy rashes (got one now).
Ken

 

[Fusefinder]

To: Deere Dude
I have used some Ivy killer but it killed everything. Do you happen to know a name or brand that you used.

To: Ken
I have to use Ivy Block, surgical rubber gloves, a second pair of gloves over them. Long sleeve shirt with socks cut open over the wrist. and long pants. Last week was killer trimming them in the 95*+ heat.

 

[Deere Dude]

To: Deere Dude
I have used some Ivy killer but it killed everything. Do you happen to know a name or brand that you used.

To: Ken
I have to use Ivy Block, surgical rubber gloves, a second pair of gloves over them. Long sleeve shirt with socks cut open over the wrist. and long pants. Last week was killer trimming them in the 95*+ heat.

My wife used Roundup Poison Ivy + Brush Killer. I thought it killed just the poisonous stuff but it kills all the poisonous weeds and also almost everything else.
I think I would still use it rather than get the itches.

 

[ChuckinNH]

One thing my son learned in part of his Army training was to wash down as completely as possible with COLD water after possible exposure to poison ivy. The cold water closes the pores in your skin, and rinses the poisonous oils off your skin at the same time. A hot shower will just make matters worse. He told me that perhaps 15 years ago now, and I haven't had a case of poison ivy since I started doing it. Hopefully this will help someone else.

 

[Short Game]

If it wasn't for the allergy, the Brush Grubber works great. Definitely a fast, two person operation, when there are a lot of shrubs to pull up. If the person hooking it up isn't allergic, you could pull more than one per minute. I'm allergic to many things, but thankfully, not poison ivy. Here's a couple of pics of my Brush Grubber with the easy operating handles I added:

I have no idea how I ended up with a couple of 8 inch cotter pins in my junk collection.

 

[ustmd]

THe ideal piece of equipment to get this done:


Pay someone else to do it.


You are highly allergic to Poison Ivy, there is no way this ends well.

 

[RobertN]

I would use the loader. But, I have also used the choke chain to remove brush.

You have multiple obstacles though... First, you gotta get the brush out. Then, you gotta get rid of it. Then, the tractor is going to be covered in the oils from the poison ivy/oak.

Even if you kill it and come back in a few months, the oil will still be in the dead leaves, and especially in the dead twigs and roots.

I have got poison oak from the tractor weeks after the last exposure I had to it. Greasing fittings, changing oil, chaining it on trailer ect.

USTMD has the best idea, but I cannot afford it. So, I take just deal with the itch. I suit up, coveralls, gloves, Avon or Technu pre-exposure cream, Technu after, and a week of itching and oozing sores.

I dont know if it helps, but I spray the tractor with degreaser and power wash it afterwards...

 

[JimP]

Hmm, I have been cutting brush all summer and have had poison ivy all summer. If I was in your situation I would spray with poison ivy killer, wait till late fall/winter and pull everyting using a 20 foot chain between tractor and choker. With two people you can pull a lot of shrubs this way in a short time. How to get rid of the pulled shrubs is a good question.

 

[Elkins45]

Hire a non-allergic helper to hook up the chains and run the tractor yourself. Poison ivy does a number on me as well, and its not worth the misery IMO.