Skid Steer Mulcher?

[BethesdaEC]

I have 6 acres of thick woods and and underbrush, and I am beginning to think about a forestry mulcher. My thoughts are to buy one used for $50K use it for 6 months and then sell it again and hopeful break even on the deal or at least only be out a couple of thousand dollars. I am not going to do this right away, just think out loud right now. Maybe next fall or the following spring.

 

[hrcarver]

I'd bet you could hire it out and come out waaayyy ahead. Should not take more than a couple days for 6 acres. $120-$150/hr for a few hours or 50k out of pocket for used machine that you KNOW has been put through ****....

Just the way I see it.

 

[BethesdaEC]

I'd bet you could hire it out and come out waaayyy ahead. Should not take more than a couple days for 6 acres. $120-$150/hr for a few hours or 50k out of pocket for used machine that you KNOW has been put through ****....

Just the way I see it.

Getting stuff like this done in Maryland is incredibly expensive, I would be surprised if I could get the job done for less than 15K. Also I have never owned or operated a skid steer, seems like a good way to play.

 

[davygp38]

there are some posts on this type of machine on the construction equipment forum, The general theme is that these set ups break down a lot.

 

[hrcarver]

First off, If you just want to learn have at it. I really think that you may surprise yourself at the affordability of this (well, compared to 15k). I know stuff up north is higher, but that seems absurd.

 

[BethesdaEC]

First off, If you just want to learn have at it. I really think that you may surprise yourself at the affordability of this (well, compared to 15k). I know stuff up north is higher, but that seems absurd.

I work with a guy who had an acre cleared and it cost him 18K. He had more work done than just a running a mulcher through the property but still very pricy. My wife brought in the local landscaping crew from the nursery to weed and do a couple of other things. It was 3 guys for 8 hours and it came to almost a $1000.

 

[hrcarver]

If I have 3 guys on a job all day, I'd be over 1K easy. Doesn't sound that far off to me... But if it is just me and a piece of equipment, I'd still be at that same 1k/day, but getting much more done.

Now, typically I only bring 60-75k worth of equipment to a job, so there is definitely room for adjustment up there, and the regional difference.

Just thinking out loud, not trying to swing you away from it. I'd LOVE to try one of those things out. Just not bad enough to pay for one!

 

[treman]

I would get a couple of quotes. having run a couple different models I can tell you that 6 acres isn't all that much. a couple days at the most. depends on whats there and what you want to keep. also depends on how tight the trees that are staying are. If your dealing with alot of tight areas and not much maneuverability its going to take a little longer than if your going to end up with wide open areas and everything else gone. however if your thinking of decent sized trees 6 plus inches dbh a smaller machine may have troubles and be rather slow. also a used piece may be just that, a piece. most dont get sold unless someone is getting out of the business or they are problematic.

 

[BethesdaEC]

I would get a couple of quotes. having run a couple different models I can tell you that 6 acres isn't all that much. a couple days at the most. depends on whats there and what you want to keep. also depends on how tight the trees that are staying are. If your dealing with alot of tight areas and not much maneuverability its going to take a little longer than if your going to end up with wide open areas and everything else gone. however if your thinking of decent sized trees 6 plus inches dbh a smaller machine may have troubles and be rather slow. also a used piece may be just that, a piece. most dont get sold unless someone is getting out of the business or they are problematic.

I did a little research, my county does have a forestry department. I will reach out to them, and see if they can provide some guidance. I have a couple of other money pits going right now, it is a year out.

 

[nybirdman]

In our area(northern NY) you can rent a SS with the forestry head for $2500/wk.If you have never run one;IT'S NOT FUN! A new unit a couple of years ago was $128,000.

 

[BethesdaEC]

In our area(northern NY) you can rent a SS with the forestry head for $2500/wk.If you have never run one;IT'S NOT FUN! A new unit a couple of years ago was $128,000.

I was having fantasies of playing with a skid steer, but it sound like I should just contract this out. I almost had my wife sold on the idea.

 

[amaxwell]

I was having fantasies of playing with a skid steer, but it sound like I should just contract this out. I almost had my wife sold on the idea.

I just had mulcher work done and 6 acres should not take over two,(three at most) days.16 hours @ $150 would be $2400. I think you would lose much more than that on a buy-use-resale deal.

 

[deereman75]

Might get some more info if you posted this in the land clearing forum, it is full of people who own and run mulchers.

 

[BethesdaEC]

Might get some more info if you posted this in the land clearing forum, it is full of people who own and run mulchers.

I didn't even know that there was a land clearing forum. Thanks, I will look into it.