Dozer vs Excavator-need opinion

[bbirder]

Hey Guys! Need some experienced opinions from you. I am planning to do so clearing along fence lines this spring. The majority of what I will be clearing is small trees 1" to 4" in diameter. It has grown up from 10 ft to 50 ft wide in spots along the fence lines. I want to rent the machinery to clear this and not sure if I need a dozer or excavator to knock down and pile up this trash. Not to worried about the fence, because it needs replacing in many spots. I'm thinking that a dozer would be faster, but not sure what size. At this time these trees are not rooted to deep. Any opinions?

 

[arrow]

Excavator with thumb without question. Way more surgical.

 

[ETD66SS]

I own a CAT D6C and a CAT 225 excavator.

From the description of the job, I'd choose the Dozer and just mow those trees down. Get a burn pile going and push bits of the carnage on a fire that is already nice & hot. Do not make one big pile mixed with dirt and expect to be abe to burn. It's best to get a smaller fire going first and add to it a bit at a time. If the fire is hot enough, the gree wood will burn like paper. Try not to choke the fire too much with clumps of dirt.

Dozer will be faster and eat up less fuel for that job IMO.

 

[MarkV]

I agree with ETD66SS. From what you describe a small to medium size dozer would work through that easily. Your not worried about the fence line and as long as you can live with some things pushed to the side, a dozer would be the way to go. As "arrow" said, an excuvator is more surgical but it does not sound like that is needed in your case.

MarkV

 

[dave1949]

You could check out hiring a forestry mulcher. You would end up with chips and shreds, no fire required.

Also, it makes some difference how long the old fence row is you want to clear on the dozer or excavator choice.

I would guess the learning curve on operating an excavator well vs the dozer is a bit longer.
Dave.

 

[20 20]

I noticed know one mention/asked how much experience you have operating either machine? An excavator has an easier learning curve then a dozer. Yes an excavator has more controls etc but it is still easier to work with. If you've never run a dozer you could get yourself into a real sticky situation QUICK! A lot of folks seem to think all there is to dozing is sitting in the seat and slaming along. It doesn't work that way, dozers are a wonderfull piece of equipment but if you're not sure of what you're doing they can be a HUGE headache. Plus an excavator can make a much nicer burn pile without all the dirt.

How long is your fence? What is the ground like?

 

[slan]

Yup, it takes about an hour to learn how to "Use" a dozer, a lifetime to learn how to "Operate" one.
Depending on how long the area is and how dense will factor into the equation as well. Some pics would help.

Also, if the dozer doesn't have all the guards or operator protection and depending on the type of trees, you could be looking at either a limb in the fan or YOU.:shocked:

Land clearing with a dozer is very dangerous if you are not protected well. A limb can be like the JFK magic bullet and come out of nowhere.
Play safe....

 

[bbirder]

Thanks for all the replies! To further explain, I have about a mile and a half of fence line to clear. I feel the dozer would make a quicker job of it, and I could always come in after with an excavator to clean up any areas that would cause problems. I have operated both, but it has been a number of years ago. I feel it shouldn't take too long to get back in the swing of things.
My biggest problem is that I am not allowed to burn them. It is illegal where my property is, BUT if I truck them 1/2 mile away it is perfectly legal to burn away.
Gov't regulations-- That's what makes this country so great. I can either let the piles rot down, truck them away or bury them.

 

[scoutcub]

I think your best option is a dozer as well. I own a 10 ton dozer, and a 15 ton excavator, and I personally feel the dozer is easier to operate with a smaller learning curve. To quantify that, my dozer has the joystick controls, which all new dozers have and if you were to rent one, would have. Very easy to operate. (OK, use)
The problem I see is 1.5 miles of tree piles.....ugh. If you can get a big enough dozer, you can windrow the spoils, but to move it all into 1 pile would be too much material. So maybe smaller piles.....dig a few holes with the dozer, and bury? But if you need that ground where they're buried, that ground will probably settle.....and what's your water table like......so many questions....

 

[20 20]

Are you going to be trucking them? If so then an excavator would be the easiest way to load. Something like a cat 307ex w balde would be your best bet I'm thinking????