bushhogging kudzu

[MikeA57]

I just received permission to hunt a tract of land right along the MS river. Our farmer took us down there today and showed us the boundaries of where we can hunt and told us that when he was a kid he used to hunt down there all the time and that there were several open areas that they planted turnips and whatnot for the deer. I scoped it out on Google maps and I see the open areas he was talking about but from what I can tell it appears that they are overgrown very thick (not trees just vegetation) and partially covered in Kudzu. He told us today that it's been years since he's been down there so it's been awhile since it's been tended.

We'll take some 4 wheelers down there and scout things out but if I figure out I can get my tractor down there to the areas that are "open" are there any suggestions anyone can give about cutting through that stuff? I know one of the main things to worry about it holes, but I figure if they planted the area in years past it probably isn't too holey. (I will ask him about that though.) I guess I'm somewhat worried about the vines wrapping themselves around the PTO shaft or the shaft on the bushhog blades. Any ideas or am I worrying needlessly?

 

[Hap]

The kudzu won't be an issue about wrapping around the blade or PTO.

What you need to be careful about is mowing over unknown ground with the possibility of holes, stumps, logs, who knows what. Be careful.

 

[creekbend]

Thick mats of vines are often difficult to mow with a light duty rotary mower. I would suggest you use a tractor and rotary mower sufficiently capable of handling the task. You stated that the areas were overgrown quite a lot. You will most surely encounter saplings that your rotary mower may or may not be able to take care of. One other piece of advice? Since the area hasn't been cleared or used in awhile, it is quite possible that it could have been used as a dumping ground for all sorts of discarded and unwanted materials or objects throughout this period. It would be in your best interest, to search the area before mowing, in order to prevent encountering these materials or objects. A list of possible dumped items might be: tires, rims, old washing machines, dryers, roofing material; etc. Just a thought? Best wishes.

 

[johnrex62]

Because of the dense nature of Kudzu and it's tendancy to hide things underneath it's vines, I would be hesitant to charge into unknown areas with a high speed spinning blade.

I would much rather go in with something like a Ratchet Rake on my FEL and rip out the overgrowth and follow up with the shredder. That way I could ensure I run over a rusty model T, Airstream or engine block hidden underneath. Once I knew the area was safe, then I would be comfortable with just the shredder.

 

[plowindeeper]

Wear snake boots If you are gonna walk it

 

[farmfun]

Thick mats of vines are often difficult to mow with a light duty rotary mower. I would suggest you use a tractor and rotary mower sufficiently capable of handling the task. You stated that the areas were overgrown quite a lot. You will most surely encounter saplings that your rotary mower may or may not be able to take care of. One other piece of advice? Since the area hasn't been cleared or used in awhile, it is quite possible that it could have been used as a dumping ground for all sorts of discarded and unwanted materials or objects throughout this period. It would be in your best interest, to search the area before mowing, in order to prevent encountering these materials or objects. A list of possible dumped items might be: tires, rims, old washing machines, dryers, roofing material; etc. Just a thought? Best wishes.

PLEASE HEED - PLEASE HEED:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Victim of dumped material unknown to family/owner. TIRES are expensive!
KUDZU can hide car exterior panels and TREES that will give you fits!!!

 

[BeezFun]

We'll take some 4 wheelers down there and scout things out but if I figure out I can get my tractor down there to the areas that are "open" are there any suggestions anyone can give about cutting through that stuff?

I had a lot of kudzu on a property I owned, I found that it has relatively few trunks that go into the ground compared to the large canopy it produces. I walked in there and cut the kudzu trunks with a pruning saw close to the ground, they were about 2" in diameter, then used a small bottle of triox (vegetation killer) to dribble carefully onto the stump to kill the roots. After a few weeks the leaves on the canopy died off and I could see what was going on. I gradually mowed into it from the edges. Takes a while but in the hot weather the leaves die off pretty fast so you can make good progress.

I would advise against driving into this stuff if you can't see, even if there's no holes or debris, you'll be snagging hoses and wires, running into branches sticking out that you can't see- a bad scene.

 

[Gary Fowler]

A pair of limb loppers is what I would use. I have pair from Sears that I can cut 2" and larger pine limbs with ease. Much easier than a saw. A little stripping action with the FEL might loosen up the edges a bit for you also but it might be awfully dangerous. I am sure if they planted Kudzu then there must be some deep washes in there. Those Mississippi hills can wash out into some gullies that can swallow a tractor to where it can never be found along with its driver.

 

[Sassi]

You know this stuff will die back as the seasons move forward. I would wait this year until I could better see what all is there before I go head strong into this. You might try cutting a small roadway through it by hand if you just have to do something. That way you possibly could even encourage the game your after to travel the way you want them to go!

 

[clemsonfor]

I would not just cut into it! I would really reccomend herbiciding it. Spraying all the leaves you can get at and then cutting the vines and directly appling herbicide to the stems. Trans-line is often used on kudzu but pretty much any weed killer can be used on it with varying results.

The problem is you dont kill the kudzu it will grow back over what ever you plant during the season. Well once it frosts your winter grasses will be fine as its dormant then but next spring it will cover it up again.

Also the vines can wrap up and do damage. My light duty cutter when i got the tractor and it was used to "tame" an overgrown field. It had blackberries, honey suckle, trumpet vine, etc in it. Some of it wrapped up the cutter output shaft. Never stopped it but it cinched up tight and got into the oil seal tearing it up. Caused it to leak the first week i used it. Would leak the whole gearcase dry in a day. Had to refill each day. I did that for more than a yr till i finially got around to replacing the $5 seal.

 

[BeezFun]

I would not just cut into it! I would really reccomend herbiciding it. Spraying all the leaves you can get at and then cutting the vines and directly appling herbicide to the stems.

He says it's next to a river, I wouldn't spray any chemicals.

 

[smstonypoint]

He says it's next to a river, I wouldn't spray any chemicals.

There are glyphosate-based herbicides labeled for use in/near aquatic environments. Rodeo and AquaMaster are examples.

Steve

 

[cashiocons]

I have a place near Natchez kudzu everywhere and the deer love it more than white oak acorns. I'd leave it alone and plant food plot next to kudzu area.

 

[ThomasH]

I use a finish mower on mine and it cuts it fine. When I tried a bushhog it just wrapped it all up with vines.

 

[Dgoatrider]

Go get some goats they love the stuff and you can sell them when there full and fat

 

[adjusterr]

You didn't mention what size, acreage, you are involved with. Personally, I would spray with a good brush killer, let it set for a few days to take effect then invest in a Ratchet Rake, Google the name and watch the videos, and push the brush, kudzu and whatever trash is there, ahead of your tractor using the Ratchet Rake. If you back up with the Ratchet Rake the clearing process will prepare the ground for game plot seeding. It's a great tool.

 

[HCJtractor]

I have a place near Natchez kudzu everywhere and the deer love it more than white oak acorns. I'd leave it alone and plant food plot next to kudzu area.

I agree. Early season, before the frost, my kudzu stands are my favorite. Deer love it and feel comfortable in it. Hang a high stand over it. Then if you just have to cut it, wait until the dead of winter when it's gone so you can see what's under it.

 

[clemsonfor]

He says it's next to a river, I wouldn't spray any chemicals.

There are glyphosate-based herbicides labeled for use in/near aquatic environments. Rodeo and AquaMaster are examples.

Steve

I saw your post and then Stony's and hit multi guote. I only read the last line of Stony's when the reply screen was loading, i was going to put the trade names in my response but see he already did.

Anyway i will reitterate what he said. THere ARE chemicals LABELED (read legal) for AQUATIC use. They are Rodeo and Aquastar and any generic of the same make up. BUT these are for trees or foliage over or submerged in water or ditches and pond/lake banks. Unless your spraying at a "runoff" spray right next to a body of water in a terrintial downpour in saturated ground it will not runn off? Glyphosate when sprayed or dripped onto the ground is bound up once it enters the soil as harmless crystals. You can use the Aquatic formulas for stuff on land too, its all glyphosate.

And to put validity to what i say i am a Department of Defense licensened pesticide aplicator (herbicide is considered a pesticide. Weeds are a Pest)

 

[Bamaram]

Clemsonfor is exactly right. The major reason the other forms of Aquatic Glyphosate is water friendly isn't the actual Glyphosate, but the suffercants (other ingredients in the jug) that cause aquatic damage. But again like Clemsonfor suggested unless you are directly pouring the stuff in the water or in a way to where it actually runs off the bank and into the water don't worry about aquatic damage. Did you ever mention what game you are after? As, others have said deer love Kudzu. If it has to be cut, just wait til the dead of winter and cut it when it is dead as others have mentioned.

 

[MikeA57]

Thanks! That's what I was looking for. I had thought about holes and stumps but didn't think about other stuff having been disposed there. And, I didn't know that deer liked Kudzu. Do they eat it or bed down in it?

I'm wanting to clear it for food plots. The property is actually approx. 120-130 acres but 95-98% of it is wooded. There are a few places that are/were open and planted in food plot years ago. I haven't been on site yet, just been to the entrance of it and viewed it from overhead.

Then my SIL reminded me that his brother's got a bobcat with front loader and grapple attachment too so we could do some serious clearing with that.

Here's a photo of the area that I'm looking to clear. There are other areas on the tract that are smaller and look about the same. So, if I can clear this one I can leave the others alone if the deer like it that much.