ProjectKing
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Can a tractor clear this?
- Thread starter chsdiyer
- Start date
- Views: 24926
CobyRupert
Super Member
I know this is a tractor website, so using a tractor is the (sometimes pricey) answer for everything...but regarding your plan to use a chainsaw for the initial scoping out: Before walking through an area with the chainsaw walk through with a straight-handled blade/brush cutter/weed whacker.
Stock photo:
You'll be amazed by the damage one of these can do to the landscape with 2 pints of gas and a couple hours of trimming. And for only the price of a average chainsaw.
I use the least aggressive 4 sided "grass" blade and cut up brush (and small trees) up to about 2" (and sometimes more, with a few whacks). The brushcutter blades can handle even more. Then the landscape is free & clear and open to get at the bigger stuff with the chain saw.
...THEN it would be nice to have a tractor and grapple to clean up the brush.
SteveM70
Silver Member
I think you answered your own question a few posts back. Yes, a tractor and a chainsaw would do it, as well as an oxen and ax lol. but you need to consider time constraints and how much free time you realistically have to devote to it. With all the other irons you have in the fire trying to make this move come together you could be better off to hire someone with more suitable equipment to do this job faster. I also agree with bundling projects. That would be the cheapest way to get them all done.
Don't worry about an excuse to get a tractor in the future. It sounds like your needs will be there once your moved in.
Don't worry about an excuse to get a tractor in the future. It sounds like your needs will be there once your moved in.
nightdevil
Bronze Member
I will also add based on my recent experience, you have to make sure you also removes stumps of any type of tree which can be hard to bear. Depending on the type of equipment we received from Sunbelt Rentals it may not do the jobs. Also I assume that estimate what do also removed the debris or Shred the debris remove it from the property.
Thanks for all the great info/advice...it's greatly appreciated!
Jeff - that is a deterent toward buying it now as well. Though my cousin has a very large german sheppherd thieves aren't usually the smarest bunch and I'd hate to see the dog get hurt over a tractor.
AxleHub - I wasn't aware of those restrictions on septic tanks...particularly the no driving on beforehand but it makes sense. The land was tested before I came along and it perked with no problems and the realtor provided me the permit they had for it. Definitely something to keep in mind regardless in case I have to get it all redone for some reason. Definitely not rich, that's why I'm going to be my general contractor and sub out the big things.
Thanks Coby, I wasn't aware of that kind of tool...i'll have to look into that.
Steve, I got one better than an Ox. I have a three year old with way too much energy. I might offer him an M&M for every small tree removed.
Nightdevil - I'm not really sure what the estimate included, it's just what my realtor said to expect to pay and was more than our budget allowed for. I'm going to have to talk with the person who is going to be a mentor to me in all this and see what his foundation guy would charge for this type of task. I kind of also want to do it my self because at this point I don't really have a clue where we want the house so I might have to do a little, assess it, do a little more , reassess, etc and i'd hate to have to pay someone to come out multiple times. We have some time to give to this, but not too much considering I need to get this done before I can finish drawing our plans. Of course we still haven't closed on the land and still trying to work out an easement issue with the neighbor....like I think I said before....the circus follows me in all my adventures. Hopefully not too much longer.
Jeff - that is a deterent toward buying it now as well. Though my cousin has a very large german sheppherd thieves aren't usually the smarest bunch and I'd hate to see the dog get hurt over a tractor.
AxleHub - I wasn't aware of those restrictions on septic tanks...particularly the no driving on beforehand but it makes sense. The land was tested before I came along and it perked with no problems and the realtor provided me the permit they had for it. Definitely something to keep in mind regardless in case I have to get it all redone for some reason. Definitely not rich, that's why I'm going to be my general contractor and sub out the big things.
Thanks Coby, I wasn't aware of that kind of tool...i'll have to look into that.
Steve, I got one better than an Ox. I have a three year old with way too much energy. I might offer him an M&M for every small tree removed.
Nightdevil - I'm not really sure what the estimate included, it's just what my realtor said to expect to pay and was more than our budget allowed for. I'm going to have to talk with the person who is going to be a mentor to me in all this and see what his foundation guy would charge for this type of task. I kind of also want to do it my self because at this point I don't really have a clue where we want the house so I might have to do a little, assess it, do a little more , reassess, etc and i'd hate to have to pay someone to come out multiple times. We have some time to give to this, but not too much considering I need to get this done before I can finish drawing our plans. Of course we still haven't closed on the land and still trying to work out an easement issue with the neighbor....like I think I said before....the circus follows me in all my adventures. Hopefully not too much longer.
SteveM70
Silver Member
This may or may not be possible in you area but a helicopter ride over the land could help you visualize things that are not possible from the ground yet.
prichard
Veteran Member
When we bought or seriously overgrown land the surveyor cleared a few trails then I went in with my string trimmer with a blade and created more paths so we could see everything.
Later we hired a mulcher to "clear". When what was cleared started regrowth I bought the tractor and bush hog.
Later we hired a mulcher to "clear". When what was cleared started regrowth I bought the tractor and bush hog.
I thought about using my neighbors quadcopter but he paid a lot more for it then I felt comfortable flying (he didn't have time). I'm not sure I'd get a great perception though from that. There was a company that was offering helicopter rides near our current house but they only stayed in business a month or two.
Prichard - right now there is a walking trail that makes a circle around the outer part of the property. I'll probably make another one across it and down the middle to try and get a topology survey (i think that's what it's called) to get a better idea of elevation changes and just how much the property does slope.
Prichard - right now there is a walking trail that makes a circle around the outer part of the property. I'll probably make another one across it and down the middle to try and get a topology survey (i think that's what it's called) to get a better idea of elevation changes and just how much the property does slope.
prichard
Veteran Member
The other option for getting around on the property is to rent a Billy Goat or similar.
jeff9366
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Have you looked at the FREE satellite pictures of your property on Google Earth?
prichard
Veteran Member
Also your county may have detailed topos. Look up your county's GIS department.
kevin37b
Veteran Member
Satisfaction of doing it yourself is one thing . Getting it done is another . Have you done any clearing ? Are you going to screw around with a chainsaw and a little tractor , or get an operator with a mini and or dozer ? Hard to tell by the pics , but I see more than 4 days work . As suggested the excavator for the house should be able , and save you some grief . Just trying to help , Kevin .
AxleHub
Elite Member
Wow the suggestions are a little "out there" .;. a helicopter rental ???? The op us talking about 10 total acres and doing something with 2 of them. That's why we have 2 feet to walk on. Or an atv to druve to a spot and then walk.
A drone with a camera could get much closer than a helicopter and take pictures or video to see more than once.
When we bought our lot (1.4 acres) in a developed small town suburban location . . All the neigjbors had never seen what our land looked like because it had 4 to 6 feet of brush and tall grass. So I walked it several times and marked the tricky spots and brush cut the areas by hand held wacker. Then I rented a walk behind brush cutter and rough cut whatever I could.
The neighbors all thought the land went up and then went down and were amazed to see how much flat there was.
My point is . . Walking the land gives you an idea of water flows orground quality or weak areas or view points.
Once the op buys the land . . Is thete some frantic rush to start building right away?
I gsve up numerous Packer and NFL football on TV on Sundays to get to a point where I could start using a cheap rider to rough cut the grass and then really get another new sense of views and angles and imagining how we might position and build.
I was far better off before I started drawing the plans.
Sometimes opinions focus too much on speed of task instead of thinking about the overall plan.
Strings and rope and stakes and tape measure for "what if" ideas can create 4 or 5 or 6 different plan ideas once you can walk the land area you plan to build on.
My point is "time is money" . . builder's time . . Re-do mistakes time. A better pre Plan can save alot of money and regrets.
Jmho
A drone with a camera could get much closer than a helicopter and take pictures or video to see more than once.
When we bought our lot (1.4 acres) in a developed small town suburban location . . All the neigjbors had never seen what our land looked like because it had 4 to 6 feet of brush and tall grass. So I walked it several times and marked the tricky spots and brush cut the areas by hand held wacker. Then I rented a walk behind brush cutter and rough cut whatever I could.
The neighbors all thought the land went up and then went down and were amazed to see how much flat there was.
My point is . . Walking the land gives you an idea of water flows orground quality or weak areas or view points.
Once the op buys the land . . Is thete some frantic rush to start building right away?
I gsve up numerous Packer and NFL football on TV on Sundays to get to a point where I could start using a cheap rider to rough cut the grass and then really get another new sense of views and angles and imagining how we might position and build.
I was far better off before I started drawing the plans.
Sometimes opinions focus too much on speed of task instead of thinking about the overall plan.
Strings and rope and stakes and tape measure for "what if" ideas can create 4 or 5 or 6 different plan ideas once you can walk the land area you plan to build on.
My point is "time is money" . . builder's time . . Re-do mistakes time. A better pre Plan can save alot of money and regrets.
Jmho
SteveM70
Silver Member
Helicopter, drone, Google maps, whatever. My point was, if the land being overgrown was causing the op to have a hard time figuring out what to do and where, a view from above could be useful.
As I stated, I don't know that the op would have easy access to a helicopter but some people do.
As I stated, I don't know that the op would have easy access to a helicopter but some people do.
prichard
Veteran Member
If you were nearby I'd come over and try to get you some access. I just like running through stuff with the bush hog.
DieselBound
Elite Member
Two acres? I've probably done that by hand! My wife and I have swung machetes to explore. The tractor then follows when it's deemed safe: some places no machinery is going to get to (or if it did, not get out of!).
When I need big power I go rent it. Just shelled out a grand to rent an excavator this past weekend. While my little B7800 has performed wonderfully (I will always have it) I now need something with more power on a regular basis (lifting a lot more weight; and, with all the clearing that's been done, get mowing done more quickly). Sometimes starting off slowly is a good strategy. As I once read, one is best off living on the land for a full set of seasons before looking to make any drastic changes. Had I had big power up front I figure that I'd have gotten things wrong, messed things up, and, perhaps, angered the "authorities" (not to mention my neighbors).
When I need big power I go rent it. Just shelled out a grand to rent an excavator this past weekend. While my little B7800 has performed wonderfully (I will always have it) I now need something with more power on a regular basis (lifting a lot more weight; and, with all the clearing that's been done, get mowing done more quickly). Sometimes starting off slowly is a good strategy. As I once read, one is best off living on the land for a full set of seasons before looking to make any drastic changes. Had I had big power up front I figure that I'd have gotten things wrong, messed things up, and, perhaps, angered the "authorities" (not to mention my neighbors).
kneedeep
Veteran Member
![IMG_20130902_151153[1].jpg](/forums/data/attachments/305/305980-e9c3196c972c29b4451dc3a096cd9a01.jpg)
Egon
Epic Contributor
Got lots of insurance on the Wife?
kneedeep
Veteran Member
That ground is hard as concrete. Slopes in from picture end. She just ran in to get shovel that got knocked in.
And, Yes, We are well insured.
fishheadbob
Platinum Member
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For 2 acres you could get away with renting something heavy to clear the land with the help of a good chainsaw. Probably some sort of front brush mower on a skidsteer, but your excavating contractor is already there with his stuff which probably includes a dozer.
I think the land looks pretty gnarly; it would beat the daylights out of anything not heavy duty, and if I was thinking about clearing all 10 acres I'd be looking into renting a Hydroaxe with operator which would make short work of everything you wanted cleared. The power company comes by my place every few years with one and tackles thick brush with small trees similar to what your pictures show. One powerful machine. The ones they favor tend to be big Hough or Deere payloaders with a 6 or 8 foot width likely weighing in around 150 or 200 horsepower. Having seen these puppies in action I'm always impressed with the sheer power and destructive force they deliver, and I always thank god I'm not out there wrecking my stuff which is heavier than anything you're likely to have. They also bang out the acreage in a hurry
I think the land looks pretty gnarly; it would beat the daylights out of anything not heavy duty, and if I was thinking about clearing all 10 acres I'd be looking into renting a Hydroaxe with operator which would make short work of everything you wanted cleared. The power company comes by my place every few years with one and tackles thick brush with small trees similar to what your pictures show. One powerful machine. The ones they favor tend to be big Hough or Deere payloaders with a 6 or 8 foot width likely weighing in around 150 or 200 horsepower. Having seen these puppies in action I'm always impressed with the sheer power and destructive force they deliver, and I always thank god I'm not out there wrecking my stuff which is heavier than anything you're likely to have. They also bang out the acreage in a hurry
