I live in Maine and I have a few acres to clear for a new lawn. Mostly small trees (2" - 12"), some bigger fir/spruce/maple. I realize that I may not be able to pull all the stumps with a CUT and backhoe. But after they are out and the big rocks are cleared what is the best implement to start leveling? Blade, box, or something else?
Best way to clear land
- Thread starter Rustyrat
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sweettractors
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I would use a dozer to do the initial clearing and then a box blade with teeth should get you in pretty good shape. Ken Sweet
ModMech
Platinum Member
1) Stihl - cut trees, move to pile out of the way. Section as time allows, store for "seasoning" split before fall (use or sell).
2) Dozer stumps, rocks and general leveling.
3) Box blade, land plane and drag harrow to "finnish".
Basically, I agree with Ken.
2) Dozer stumps, rocks and general leveling.
3) Box blade, land plane and drag harrow to "finnish".
Basically, I agree with Ken.
Soundguy
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ditto that.. hire a dozer for inital clearing.. if he's any good, he will leave it flat.
then you can use a box blad and drag to contour and plant grass seed and cover it.
soudnguy
then you can use a box blad and drag to contour and plant grass seed and cover it.
soudnguy
lungdoc
Gold Member
Dozer I would think would work well where soil is good and land basically fairly level. On rocky ground (like we have in Muskoka) an excavator works better, especially if it has a thumb. This is particularly true if you want to use any of the rocks for landscaping/retaining walls and if you want to bury some of the stumps to fill holes etc.
Opti-Mist
Platinum Member
Checkbook. Easy on the back but harder on the pocket.
brin
Super Member
I agree to use a dozer but I would ad ..if at all possible have the dozer push the big trees over before you cut them and then cut the stumps off and burn them, bury them or haul them off but if you cut your big trees first and leave too short a stump you will need a track loader with a tooth bucket or an excavator in there to dig those stumps out and that gets expensive.
20 20
Elite Member
I'll be the odd ball and say excavator, especially for 12"+ roots. I have ran both and an excavator for this type of work will be faster, from my impression of what you're asking. A dozer will work but roots can be a job for a it. An excavator {something like a 307 cat} with a balde will run circles around a dozer. It is also easier to take out the whole tree{rootball and all} while it is still standing, IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING !!!! Now if you're just worried about leveling simple ground then go with a dozer.
