What equipment to use on sloped land?

SPYDERLK · Aug 7, 2013

Trees 4 - 6" -- a good bushog tractor combination will lay them down and fray the stumps nicely. Then a tractor loader/grapple to pile and burn the cut trees. I would consider attacking it myself in that way. Hiring a mulcher is the best tho for a consolidated solution.

jhwillis8384 · Aug 7, 2013

Sheesh. I didn't realize they were that expensive to buy. The rental price makes sense now. If I had access to a decent tractor and bush hog, I would try to tackle them with that. I don't presently, but I may use it in the areas that aren't too bad, and use the mulcher for the worst ones. I do have time on my side, as I figure 2-3 years is a good time to get it in grass. If need be I can extend it. I am hoping to do it in a couple of stages, but erosion has me concerned a bit. Anyone had any good experience burning stumps in place? That is my other option for stumps. I figure I can mulch everything else and let it set for a year or so.

Ken45101 · Aug 7, 2013

SPYDERLK said:
Trees 4 - 6" -- a good bushog tractor combination will lay them down and fray the stumps nicely.

4-6"???? The heaviest duty Bush Hog is only rated for 3.5" I cannot imagine trying to drive a tractor over a 6" diameter tree.

SPYDERLK · Aug 7, 2013

Ken45101 said:
4-6"???? The heaviest duty Bush Hog is only rated for 3.5" I cannot imagine trying to drive a tractor over a 6" diameter tree.

4 wheel tractors and bushogs with stump jumpers arent very suitable. Heres how I did it :

The trick is to go forward ... And the truth is virtually anything the tractor can bend down so the bushog blades hit is history. Think of an ax wielded by several tens of HP. By far the greatest capability is forward so that the bh frame doesnt bear the brunt of bending the tree.

,,, When I was in my late 30s I did light woods clearing type mowing with the JD 2010 and 5' JD127 Gyramor. It had 1/2" thick 10" knives at the end of a 3'+ solid carrier arm - no stump jumper. I remember when my dad bought it that the dealer said it had a 125HP gearbox, but, judging from its frame, medium duty. The tractor was a tricycle type having rear axle case setting about 28 inches high. That would allow me to bend a pretty good sized oak tree [4"] and cutting was trivial as opposed to if tried backing up. I noted a set of 2" holes thru the bellhousing well forward of the axle and about 4 feet high. I put a 1-3/4" steel rod thru there and bushed it with plastic so the housing wouldnt be cracked if the rod bent. TREMENDOUS difference. I could push over awesome trees with this bigwheel 2wd tractor! ... Visualize 20' high trees falling forward right next to you. Literally anything 6" or less would bend over and get chopped by the 45HP ax. Many slightly larger would too. Some would stop the tractor as the ballasted AG on that side unweighted. I learned to stop there or the rod would bend. It was truly an adventure.
larry

AroniaFarmer · Aug 7, 2013

Has anyone on here heard of ventrac? I know they can go up to 30 degrees on a slope. There brush mowers are good too.....

cbrouilltractor · Aug 7, 2013

Hi

I could suggest to use an other approch! The use of an excavator. Cut your trees with your chain saw.

Burn the top of your trees, the branchs. Keep the logs for selling or to use some where else on your property. If you don't have a tractor to pull the logs let them in place.

Rent a excavator Or rent the excavator and the operator if your not good with the controls. If you have son with good aptitude with videogames... he could operate the excavator you will be supprise like I was when my older son used our excavator!!! Be shure first to explain him the security concerns, it's not a game accidents could happens.

You have 2 acres to clean it's not so big. You will burry all your stumps and move your logs to a proper place. By burriing your stump you will have some material for your path or correct the terrain.

For a 20 inchs diamater calculate 60 to 90 minutes each stump to remove them and burry them if it's trees leaves if it's a pine it will be faster.

For the size of the excavator you should not go under 35hp motor other wise you will need to be a surgeon!

You will be able to grade your terrain do this at the end when you have some hours of practice.

for the price of one week of rental here in quebec we have to calculate around 1250$ Plus diezel 10 to 15 gallons each day.

Charles

redprospector · Aug 7, 2013

jhwillis8384 said:
Redprospector, do you charge by the acre or hour in NM?

Depends on the job.
If I'm bidding on a State Forestry funded job I have to bid everything by the acre. Other than that.......
If I'm felling trees, limbing, skidding logs, and then mulching, I usually charge by the acre. That way the land owner knows exactly what it's going to cost, and I've been at it long enough that I can figure it pretty close.
If I'm mulching piles, or just taking out regen with no falling or skidding I will work by the hour. I get $150 an hour for my T320 Bobcat with a Tushogg head, and I get $175 an hour for my Fecon FTX-90.
I may not be charging enough on the Fecon.

Xfaxman · Sep 4, 2013

jhwillis8384 said:
I'm looking to clear a slope of about 20% to plant some grass for a small horse pasture. It's about 180' wide and 550' long. There is a steeper part, but it seems to be doing just fine with existing trees and vegitation so it will probably stay. The main question is, what kind of equipment would I use to clear it? Mostly 4-6" hickory saplings, with a few larger (20" diameter) trees (maybe a dozen) and a few larger pines. Mostly underbrush and saplings. I can cut most, if not all, with my chainsaw and spray or cut the underbrush with a brush cutter, like a weed eater on steroids. I'm hoping to clear the area and plant shortly after to minimize erosion. Ground is mostly sandy, but there is a lot of organic matter due to being overgrown for so long. There will be a path for a few horses, but it will be a backwards "C", instead of straight up and down. The slope is only for about 150' of the 550' of length. I have no idea what to use though. Mini excavator, or a small bulldozer? There really isn't room right now to get any large equipment in since there is only a walking trail down there now. Looking to start this winter when the chiggers and ticks aren't as thick. Any help is GREATLY appreciated folks!!!

Not sure if you could find one to rent, but my Bobcat V417 is very stable on slopes and only 6' wide.