Advice on clearing composted leaves

[EgregiousAardvark]

I was tempted to write a 'which tractor should I buy' post but I'll take a different tack and go with the application. I'm purchasing a small lot (Between half and 3/4 acre) that is >50% overgrown brush and leaves. Some spots have a foot or more of leaves and brush from years of neglect. I'd like to create more cleared space for the kids and improve what's already there. The attachment shows what a good chunk of the lot looks like.

What methods/implements would you folks recommend for clearing the brush/leaves down to bare soil? I've pondered a larger GT with a 3PH/ box scraper, but I may be going down the wrong path. Hopefully the GT would transition from clearing/landscaping to maintenance of a higher quality area. (Big hope, I know!)

E.A.

 

[dusty3030]

I use drip torch. Seriously, I don't know where you are but the best option is a controlled burn.

 

[Budweiser John]

With out a tractor you’re in for a good bit of manual labor.
In my opinion, beyond a necessary chain saw, a small utility tractor with a FEL and grapple attachment are in order.
Now the downside, that level of equipment will chew up about 40 to 50K and is a lot of money to invest for an acre or less.
Depending on your long range plans, I’de shop around for a local guy or landscape outfit experienced in land development and let them have at it.

B. John

 

[EgregiousAardvark]

Now the downside, that level of equipment will chew up about 40 to 50K and is a lot of money to invest for an acre or less.
Depending on your long range plans, I’de shop around for a local guy or landscape outfit experienced in land development and let them have at it.

B. John

That's fair. I was tempted to go with a solo approach to save money but it might be pound foolish rather than have it done by someone with a SCUT or skidder.

 

[two_bit_score]

That's fair. I was tempted to go with a solo approach to save money but it might be pound foolish rather than have it done by someone with a SCUT or skidder.

Do you live on the property or is it adjacent to a parcel you already have? Point is how convenient is it for you to work on clearing it out? Do you have other property to work/maintain?

 

[EgregiousAardvark]

Do you live on the property or is it adjacent to a parcel you already have? Point is how convenient is it for you to work on clearing it out? Do you have other property to work/maintain?

Is it property I'll be moving to this summer. The house is at the front of the property with a fairly small footprint. The project could be done over time if it makes sense and I will be my only project of the sort.

 

[two_bit_score]

Well the above advice is good but if you are living there and if you have time you could clear it quite a bit without a lot of equipment if you don’t expect it to look like a park in 30 days. Just depends on the level of clearing you want to do.

Of course, the option to hire some one to do a lot of the initial heavy clearing would be sound too.

Do you have burning restrictions where it’s located? I’m not thinking a controlled burn on the whole place at once but can you burn piles of leaves and brush from time to time?

 

[Shaneard]

Personally I would hire someone with a skidsteer to come in and clean it up. Shouldn't take them long (maybe 4-8 hours) and go from there. No since in buying a machine, a garden tractor won't touch it.

 

[MossRoad]

1/2 acre is not that large. It looks like vines and small saplings. I've done it by hand with a chainsaw, pruning hooks and a garden cart. Helps to have child labor, too. :laughing:

Or rent a small tracked excavator with a thumb for a weekend rental. It would make short work of that for less than $500 for the weekend.

Or, as others have said, see how much a local person with equipment would charge you.

Again, 1/2 acre is not that big.

 

[MossRoad]

Oh, we forgot to say welcome to TBN! :thumbsup: