Hand clearing or using a walk behind?

Rio_Grande · Jun 25, 2012

I went to bid a job today and there is no access to get the track loader in without excavating their yard. We haven't been too busy lately and after finding out we were the 4th to turn her down I offered to do it by hand for an hourly rate. She agreed and even tossed in a few trees to drop. It can all be done with a chain saw and my brush cutter weed eater. I was contemplating renting a billy goat walk behind. I used a DR version once before and was impressed. I have never used one on hilly ground though. Are they any good? If not I will just use the weed eater. I figure 2 of us will easily have 8 hrs in it to do what she wants done. If I could have taken the track loader down there I am confident that I would have it done in 2 hours!

yellowdogsvc · Jun 25, 2012

Back when I was a lot younger (about 15 years ago), I had a DR. It was the original style. I had a Bobcat but still did small jobs by hand. It was brutal work but the DR did a good job in rough terrain as long as the rocks weren't too bad. About 5 years ago I was looking for a solution to clearing small cedar trees so I plopped down about $1200 on a Stihl FS550. It was okay but more hassle than it was worth so I sold it and just pay guys with a saw or loppers to get the small stuff. A $100 pair of loppers can cut a 3" tree.. You must be a lot younger or in great shape to want to do it by hand but I have been there and doing it by hand isn't anything to be ashamed of. Good luck on the project and make sure the BG or DR has sharp blades..

aczlan · Jun 25, 2012

Never used a billy goat, but I have looked at the 30" one in the local rental yard and it looked to be comparable to the Gravely I used to use, but with more HP.

Aaron Z

Rio_Grande · Jun 25, 2012

Yellowdog I am not in great shape or very young anymore. What I am is motivated to work and bring in money! I spoke to a few others who recommended the billy goat so we will rent it! I can run that and if I can find a helper they can run the fs90 with saw blade. If not I will do it all!

Rio_Grande · Jun 26, 2012

After reading this a day later I realized I was looking at the use of the chain saw and the weed eater as hand clearing. Where as real hand clearing would be a machete and weed whip.

Being as slow as we are we are just trying to keep money coming in whatever that takes!