DCS
Bronze Member
Has anyone had any experience with using the Tree Terminator? I am getting close to getting one and I am curious how well it works and if it should be mounted on the front or rear of the tractor.
Tree Terminator
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CT_Tree_Guy
Platinum Member
Tree Terminator
DCS -
I'm wondering what the work-flow would consist of using the Tree Terminator, which has no means of grabbing the tree just sheared, compared to one that does, like this. (Click on 14" Forestry shear to see the style I mean). Dymax Forestry Shear. This is a very popular grapple brand among land clearers, and is part of a streamlined work-flow in which the machine doing the shearing brings the tree to a chipper w/grapple or to a loader for sorting/loading/chipping.
Obviously this particular grapple requires a larger machine than a 4310, just wondering how exactly you plan to use the TT, how often, and whether or not its cost is worth it, compared to the alternative of hand-cutting with a chainsaw. I have friends who do commercial logging, and after having $300,000 harvesters, are now hand-cutting again.
DCS -
I'm wondering what the work-flow would consist of using the Tree Terminator, which has no means of grabbing the tree just sheared, compared to one that does, like this. (Click on 14" Forestry shear to see the style I mean). Dymax Forestry Shear. This is a very popular grapple brand among land clearers, and is part of a streamlined work-flow in which the machine doing the shearing brings the tree to a chipper w/grapple or to a loader for sorting/loading/chipping.
Obviously this particular grapple requires a larger machine than a 4310, just wondering how exactly you plan to use the TT, how often, and whether or not its cost is worth it, compared to the alternative of hand-cutting with a chainsaw. I have friends who do commercial logging, and after having $300,000 harvesters, are now hand-cutting again.
I will be using it mainly to clear small cedars that are choking out the oaks on the land that we hunt on. If I mount it on the back, I will be able use the FEL to push the cedars to a spot to dispose of them. However, I am not sure how good it will work using the 3 point hitch. It may be handier to mount it on the front and then use a rake or something on the back to drag them away with. The Tree Terminater 2 will cost around $2600. I will still have to use the chain saw on the bigger trees.
KentT
Elite Member
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CT_Tree_Guy
Platinum Member
DCS:
Thanks for the info, that helps a lot. Here's an idea. Tree Terminator 2 (or =) on the front, and something like the rear grapple that I have (see 5030 "skidder" pics) for dragging the trees.
There's a cheaper rear grapple that's probably pretty good called the Beaver Squeezer, and maybe others. Avoid one made by Iron & Oak, distributed through Bailey's - I think it's junk.
The Implemax ROCKS. The built-in 9,000 lb. hydraulic winch is invaluable. For eight grand, it better rock.
Hope this helps, John D.
Thanks for the info, that helps a lot. Here's an idea. Tree Terminator 2 (or =) on the front, and something like the rear grapple that I have (see 5030 "skidder" pics) for dragging the trees.
There's a cheaper rear grapple that's probably pretty good called the Beaver Squeezer, and maybe others. Avoid one made by Iron & Oak, distributed through Bailey's - I think it's junk.
The Implemax ROCKS. The built-in 9,000 lb. hydraulic winch is invaluable. For eight grand, it better rock.
Hope this helps, John D.
N80
Super Member
I've got a Kubota L4400 (45hp), 4wd with FEL and about 7 or 8 acres of young planted pines that block the view from my cabin down to my pond. Most of these trees are about 5" to 6" in diameter and are soft pine. My plan has been to pay a dozer guy to completely clear this land, stumps and all, and make it into real pasture land. I have no idea how much that would cost, but I'm sure it won't be cheap.
I've also been looking at a number of these tree cutter things and wondering if I could use one of them to do it myself. If they really cut the tree off at ground level, that would be fine with me. I will need to bush hog the land, but will not need to plow it, so leaving small stumps would not be an issue.
I can see where work flow would be an issue. I think I'd have to cut some, then put the FEL on and push some. But I've got all the time in the world.
The Terminator II costs $2600. I'd also need another hydraulic hook-up to run the pincher ram. (I have a rear remote, can I just use it with a long hose?) In any case, I suspect $2600 would be more than I'd pay for a dozer clearing 10 acres but I don't know that. Anyone know what dozer rates are and how long it would take to clear 10 acres?
Of course, if I bought a cutter I'd have it for future use for clearing trails and making new ones, etc.
I've also been looking at a number of these tree cutter things and wondering if I could use one of them to do it myself. If they really cut the tree off at ground level, that would be fine with me. I will need to bush hog the land, but will not need to plow it, so leaving small stumps would not be an issue.
I can see where work flow would be an issue. I think I'd have to cut some, then put the FEL on and push some. But I've got all the time in the world.
The Terminator II costs $2600. I'd also need another hydraulic hook-up to run the pincher ram. (I have a rear remote, can I just use it with a long hose?) In any case, I suspect $2600 would be more than I'd pay for a dozer clearing 10 acres but I don't know that. Anyone know what dozer rates are and how long it would take to clear 10 acres?
Of course, if I bought a cutter I'd have it for future use for clearing trails and making new ones, etc.
JoeL4330
Platinum Member
Havin' one installed as we speak and will post how it works out for me when I have exercised it ...got rotate and spray option.
My "workflow" is do a lot of sapling cutting, and then (Quick Attach) switch to my grapple ...
My "workflow" is do a lot of sapling cutting, and then (Quick Attach) switch to my grapple ...
dknarnd
Gold Member
Clearing 10 acres for $2600 seems a little low to me, my frined had a few acres cleared for that price. And it isn't even grown up solid but the Pines were huge.
I like the saw method myself because you can cut allot of trees down in a short time and then do the seat time to move them out. For a gallon of gas and a $300 saw with a few xtra chains I would use the saw and use the money saved from the shear to buy a grapple.
I like the saw method myself because you can cut allot of trees down in a short time and then do the seat time to move them out. For a gallon of gas and a $300 saw with a few xtra chains I would use the saw and use the money saved from the shear to buy a grapple.
Highbeam
Super Member
"In any case, I suspect $2600 would be more than I'd pay for a dozer clearing 10 acres but I don't know that. Anyone know what dozer rates are and how long it would take to clear 10 acres?"
In my area, expect to pay 2600$ per acre to clear and burn. So yeah, 26000$ for that job. The operator of pretty much any good sized machine be it cat or excavator will get 100$ per hour. It even takes a good while to burn the debris which costs hours too. See pic.
The thing that seems appeaing about the tree shear is that the stumps are flush with the ground. Even a few inches and a guy could brush hog right over them. They will rot someday and may be a risk for livestock but by then you should be able to rip or plow them under.
In my area, expect to pay 2600$ per acre to clear and burn. So yeah, 26000$ for that job. The operator of pretty much any good sized machine be it cat or excavator will get 100$ per hour. It even takes a good while to burn the debris which costs hours too. See pic.
The thing that seems appeaing about the tree shear is that the stumps are flush with the ground. Even a few inches and a guy could brush hog right over them. They will rot someday and may be a risk for livestock but by then you should be able to rip or plow them under.
Attachments
N80
Super Member
The guy who did the lot prep for my cabin charged something like $600 a day (8 hours) with a minimum of $300 for a half day. But that was about 3 years ago. He mentioned to me at the time that he had just purchased some huge mowing machine, like a big articulated wheel loader with a monstrous bush hog on the front, that can mow 'trees', at least young pines. Its the type of thing they clear powerline right of ways with.
However, if I'm going to fork over a bunch of money, I'd prefer a bull dozer to make it all neat, smooth and level and possibly plowable.
As for the chain saw, I've got one, and access to more. But I've tried it. Cut about 1/2 acre on my own. And it is miserable, hard and a bit dangerous. From the porch it looks like a nice field of little pines. Up close you are waist deep in briars and vines and the trees are so close together in places that you can't get down to the base and they won't even fall because they fall against the next tree. Also, sawing that close to the ground is hard on a saw and the chain. The chain dulls rapidly and vines and small branches flip the chain off. So I've given up on that.
Getting a new toy has its appeal, but having someone else do it does to.
Anyone else have any experience with these pincher cutters? For me, the largest thing I'd have to cut is a six inch soft pine.
However, if I'm going to fork over a bunch of money, I'd prefer a bull dozer to make it all neat, smooth and level and possibly plowable.
As for the chain saw, I've got one, and access to more. But I've tried it. Cut about 1/2 acre on my own. And it is miserable, hard and a bit dangerous. From the porch it looks like a nice field of little pines. Up close you are waist deep in briars and vines and the trees are so close together in places that you can't get down to the base and they won't even fall because they fall against the next tree. Also, sawing that close to the ground is hard on a saw and the chain. The chain dulls rapidly and vines and small branches flip the chain off. So I've given up on that.
Getting a new toy has its appeal, but having someone else do it does to.
Anyone else have any experience with these pincher cutters? For me, the largest thing I'd have to cut is a six inch soft pine.
CT_Tree_Guy
Platinum Member
<font color="blue"> In any case, I suspect $2600 would be more than I'd pay for a dozer clearing 10 acres but I don't know that. Anyone know what dozer rates are and how long it would take to clear 10 acres?
</font>
Wow, I just noticed that for the first time. I'm sure prices vary throughout the country, but here in CT the going rate for land clearing is right around $2,600 per DAY. Given what I know about machinery costs (purchase, maintenance, fuel, depreciation, storing, transporting, insuring, etc.), it seems to me that someone would have to be completely out of his mind to clear an acre of land for $260. That is approximately what I charge per hour for residential tree removal, which is just slightly less capital-intensive than land clearing.
</font>
Wow, I just noticed that for the first time. I'm sure prices vary throughout the country, but here in CT the going rate for land clearing is right around $2,600 per DAY. Given what I know about machinery costs (purchase, maintenance, fuel, depreciation, storing, transporting, insuring, etc.), it seems to me that someone would have to be completely out of his mind to clear an acre of land for $260. That is approximately what I charge per hour for residential tree removal, which is just slightly less capital-intensive than land clearing.
Turkeyman
Silver Member
I have a JD 4720 that puts out 13 gpm and I was told it was not enough, my psi was not high enough and the heat would kill my hydro. My local Cat and Bobcat store will allow me to rent one of their skid steers and put this attachment on it for about $220 per 8 hrs.
Instead I bought a Stihl brush saw ( 44cc HD weed eater) with a saw blade, On 3-4 passes I cut thru 6" Southern pine trees. Then I push them in the direction I want them to go and pick them up w/ a front grapple.
Instead I bought a Stihl brush saw ( 44cc HD weed eater) with a saw blade, On 3-4 passes I cut thru 6" Southern pine trees. Then I push them in the direction I want them to go and pick them up w/ a front grapple.
Turkeyman
Silver Member
The wheel loader with a cutter on the front is a Hydro Axe- it will cut a 8" pine tree. Our State DOT has at least 2 of them, not sure what they cost for a day but I bet at least the $2600. Plus it weighs about 45,000 lbs so there probably would be a hauling fee.
Not sure where you live but call your local Cat or Bobcat store, and rent a med tracked skid steer loader and push the land yourself. They are easy to drive and do a good job. The problem here is the trash pile will be pretty large for your land, and they will not give you a smooth field. These can be hauled behind a 3/4 ton truck too.
Have fun.
Not sure where you live but call your local Cat or Bobcat store, and rent a med tracked skid steer loader and push the land yourself. They are easy to drive and do a good job. The problem here is the trash pile will be pretty large for your land, and they will not give you a smooth field. These can be hauled behind a 3/4 ton truck too.
Have fun.
andrewj
Platinum Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The guy who did the lot prep for my cabin charged something like $600 a day (8 hours) with a minimum of $300 for a half day. But that was about 3 years ago. He mentioned to me at the time that he had just purchased some huge mowing machine, like a big articulated wheel loader with a monstrous bush hog on the front, that can mow 'trees', at least young pines. Its the type of thing they clear powerline right of ways with.
However, if I'm going to fork over a bunch of money, I'd prefer a bull dozer to make it all neat, smooth and level and possibly plowable.
As for the chain saw, I've got one, and access to more. But I've tried it. Cut about 1/2 acre on my own. And it is miserable, hard and a bit dangerous. From the porch it looks like a nice field of little pines. Up close you are waist deep in briars and vines and the trees are so close together in places that you can't get down to the base and they won't even fall because they fall against the next tree. Also, sawing that close to the ground is hard on a saw and the chain. The chain dulls rapidly and vines and small branches flip the chain off. So I've given up on that.
Getting a new toy has its appeal, but having someone else do it does to.
Anyone else have any experience with these pincher cutters? For me, the largest thing I'd have to cut is a six inch soft pine. )</font>
hey brother, i know how you feel. sounds like the original chain on your saw, i'd buy a new chain and it should stay on. the factory chains stretch within first hour of use and are throwaway. I have cleared several acres here in SC bhe hard way, so I feel yoru pain literally.
However, if I'm going to fork over a bunch of money, I'd prefer a bull dozer to make it all neat, smooth and level and possibly plowable.
As for the chain saw, I've got one, and access to more. But I've tried it. Cut about 1/2 acre on my own. And it is miserable, hard and a bit dangerous. From the porch it looks like a nice field of little pines. Up close you are waist deep in briars and vines and the trees are so close together in places that you can't get down to the base and they won't even fall because they fall against the next tree. Also, sawing that close to the ground is hard on a saw and the chain. The chain dulls rapidly and vines and small branches flip the chain off. So I've given up on that.
Getting a new toy has its appeal, but having someone else do it does to.
Anyone else have any experience with these pincher cutters? For me, the largest thing I'd have to cut is a six inch soft pine. )</font>
hey brother, i know how you feel. sounds like the original chain on your saw, i'd buy a new chain and it should stay on. the factory chains stretch within first hour of use and are throwaway. I have cleared several acres here in SC bhe hard way, so I feel yoru pain literally.
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