Trail Cleared (and More)

[bmac]

I had a thread running over in the ATV section of TBN soliciting advice on clearing a trail around our 12 acre parcel. The trail is my kids to ride their ATVs on. If you want to save some time reading, I'll summarize the advice I received. 1. Cut the trees and leave the stumps. 2. Cut the trees (or push theme over with a dozer) and remove the stumps. And 3. Bring in a tree mulcher.

I had 3 estimates. The first guy was going to use a skid steer and chain saw to clear the trail. Gave me a price of $8300. Second guy was going to use a skid steer with what sounded like a tree spacde of sorts whereby he was going to dig out each tree and push them to the side. He estimated a day and a half with a fee of $75/hr, with the total fee not to exceed $1000. The 3rd quote was from a guy with a tree mulcher. $150/hr and said he could do it in a day. For a variety of reasons, I went with the mulcher guy.

Here's some pictures of his machine.

 

[bmac]

Another. Something like 150 HP and some ungodly GPM. It started out as a Cat, but modified by the mulcher outfit - bigger engine, high capacity hydraulics, auxillary oil cooler on the roof of the cab. Scarey.

 

[bmac]

The buisness end.

 

[bmac]

Hard to get an action shot because there is so much tree debris flying out of this thing. But here it is in the woods.

 

[bmac]

Another pseudo-action shot. I took some video that I hope will really show the distruction this thing delivers. I'm working on it now, and if successful, I'll post a link to the video.

 

[bmac]

Here's a picture of the trail it made. Kind of hard to see, but between the trees with the green surveyour's tape is the path he made.

 

[bmac]

It only took him about 3 hours to do the trail. Because I had mentally prepared and budgeted for a full a full day, I had him clear the underbrush from the woods behind the house.

Here is a "before" picture.

 

[bmac]

One more "before".

 

[bmac]

Here's how things look "after".

 

[bmac]

Another "after".

 

[bmac]

the last "after".

I've got to go, but later I'll critique the results and the quality of the job that was done. I'll also be working on the video.

 

[RobA]

That machine looks like it can do some damage! Good choice. Looks like it turned out well for you. Money well spent.

 

[EddieWalker]

bmac,

Good job with the shredder!!!

Your experience is just about oposite of my neighbors. He hired one to clear the area behind his house and when he finished allot sooner than expected, he had him cut new trails around his place!!!

He's been raving about what a great investment that one day was for a month now. I bet you will be too!!!

I was thinking about when you first started the trail thread and how you were thinking about doing it by hand with a chainsaw and a battery powered sawzall!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

You did good!!

Eddie

 

[Onthesauk]

Money well spent!

 

[bmac]

Let's try this link to view the video. I've never done this before, so I may have to re-do it time or two. Please be patient.
Mulcher Video

 

[ronjhall]

Did not find the video. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Hope it's not lost. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[bmac]

Still having technical difficulties with video. I will update when ready.

 

[HGM]

Awsome........ That certainly looks like the ticket.... you know if this is a machine that one can rent for a weekend???? I have some hunting property that this would be perfect for, but dont think the owners would like anyone other than myself coming out to do it(plus it looks like fun to me /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

 

[bmac]

Eddie,

<font color="blue"> I was thinking about when you first started the trail thread and how you were thinking about doing it by hand with a chainsaw and a battery powered sawzall!! </font>

Well, we did do some of the trail that way. Compared to the tree mulcher, it was like doing it with a butter knife and toenail clippers.

Thanks for goading me into getting the heavy equipment. It was quite impressive (and much easier on these old bones).

 

[bmac]

Greg,

The guy that did this for me does not rent his equipment. However, there are places that do. Fl_Cracker found a place in Blue Ridge that rents them. I did not find anyone around here that does, but there are rental units out there. I believe Fl_Cracker said he paid about $500 / day.

<font color="blue"> (plus it looks like fun to me </font>

The guy doing my place said he has a great time going to work each day. However, after 8 hours, he was pretty tired.