Tule cutting?

[BobcatBoy]

I'm working on a project for a duck club where they want
to cut the tules down below water level without draining the
field. The water is only about a foot deep but cutting below
the surface limits the type of cutter and carrier that can be
used. We were thinking maybe a tracked Bobcat and some
kind of sickle-bar style mower(?).

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[theboman]

What's a tule?

 

[BobcatBoy]

AKA: Cattails

(the plants behind the ducks) /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[PineRidge]

What's a duck? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[BobcatBoy]

I think they are similar to henways.

 

[BigAl]

What about a extendahoe ? That should get you out quite a ways . Is there to much to cut by hand ?
I'd head to the local high school and see if one of the sport teams needed to raise funds for their sport and tell them I'd make a healthly contribution if they could clean it out . Supply them with a bunch of pruning shears and stand back. Tax deductible too !
Big Al

 

[BobcatBoy]

It's about 30 acres in an established rice field. Ducks Unlimited has leased/purchased the field, and wants to leave it flooded continually for a breeding and hunting area. That still may not rule out hand cutting as suggested (thanks Big Al ), but I don't think they want to actually dig the tules/cattails up.

 

[MikeBurr]

Without removing the whole cattail, you will be recutting the same ones a couple of weeks later. Using a tractor is also out, unless you have a rocky bottom to drive on - the things love to grow in deep muddy places. The best way to get the things is to lay on a raft and use hand clippers to cut them below water. Pull out what you can, cut the rest. And those ducky thing love it when you pull out the center leaves with the white bottoms.. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Good luck with the project, mine are dead now and I plan to fire them up soon.... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[rambler]

You folks can do that where you are? Protected wetland species here in Minnesota, you get nasty letters & a visit if you cut a cattail off around here. Even on your own property.

--->Paul

 

[Mansker]

I use a Stihl extended hedge trimmer with a 24" cutting blade, cuts em right down , you can even cut them below the water line, just keep the blades well greased.