Hi there! I’ve recently acquired a 35 acre property in WA. It is 90% 35 yr old Douglas fir forest. Planning to put in a road, trench utilities and most importantly, clear and de-stump 4-6 acres for a regenerative farm. I’d like to purchase a Kubota because some neighbors have attachments we can use. Trying to get the best bang for buck. I’d like to buy used. What minimum horsepower should I be looking for? What do y’all recommend? Thanks! -Marie
I am assuming you are west of the Cascades. A 35 yo DF stand is a gem for now and the future. First I would recommend your local county or state Small Woodlands Association. Before you go out taming the land it would be nice for you to appreicate fully, what you have in your possession.
On paper, list your priorities and intentions what to do with this patch of timber. After meeting with other small woodlands owners to get their input, which they will gladly share, you might have some better ideas and ways about going about it.
Or, you can consult a Washington timber consulting outfit. They will make you a management plan to suit your needs even though they may have various recommendations you will like or not like.
Consult your utility company customer service to send out a representative and get their take on running power and phone lines out to the site. Easy peasy to do this before you start digging away. Makes everyone's life easier.
THEN, with plans of the future in hand, hire a local recommended, RECOMMENDED outfit to punch a proper road, not some crappy cow trail into your site. A common method is shovel or cat work. Merch timber stacked along side the proposed road with easy access for a self loading log truck. Brush and stumps can be piled, burned, chipped, hauled away or just left to lay along the road. Options are many. A one day visit with a tub grinder would have all the debris gone and be left with mountains of chips.
Proper roadbuilding in on the west side includes three or four inch open, crushed rock over the graded dirt and culverts that might need to be installed. The road should be to proper grade First and foremost. Graded according to slope and drainage. After grading, then the open rock. Compacted once. Then, three quarter or one inch minus rock to cap it all. Again compacted. If you have a professional road put in first, you will never regret it. It will hold up in all weather and use in the future. DRAINAGE DRAINAGE is a real priority in building roads especially in uneven slopes with any steepness. Same goes for road in wetland poorly drained areas with seasonal flooding.
The future includes tractor trailers, UPS trucks, tractors, mobile homes, fire trucks, utility company rigs, and of course log trucks in future harvests.
Your county and fire district may have rules regarding new road construction.
When all of this is said and done, then start shopping for a tractor to have and use after you figure out what you really need. And finally, what I believe, "the most dangerous piece of equipment in the woods is a farm tractor". Something in the neighborhood of 40-50 horse power, front end loader with skid steer attachment set up for your bucket and other front end implements should be just right for your set up. 4wd of course with AG tires, not turf or industrial tires.
Best wishes and happy forestry and home building.
