Help: Which Track Loader for This Project?

Happyman · Oct 7, 2008

Hi everyone,
I'm usually in the Kubota Tractor section of this forum since that's what I own and use on my farm in Virginia. But given what's ahead of me I think you heavy equipment boys will have the answers I'm looking for.
I'm in the process of clearing about 4-5 acres of timber (some hardwoods and some pine, none more then about 36" in dia.). The plan is to completely clear the land of trees, stumps, brush, roots, etc. in order to start a Christmas tree farm. I can do a lot of the finish work with my tractor but need to find the right equipment for the initial tree and brush clearing. I can rent either a Cat 939 with a multi-purpose bucket or a Cat 953C. Operating heavy equipment is not an issue for me. The question is which machine will make the job easier and quicker?
I like the idea of the MP bucket for moving the fallen trees around and stacking them, digging stumps, grabbing and pulling out saplings, etc., but want to be sure the 939 MP has enough power to push the trees over and bring up the stumps with it.
Carter Machinery is the local Cat rental Dealer so I have to go with what they offer. Here's the link to their track loader offerings. Carter Machinery: Rental Results
I was originally thinking about just a dozer, but feel the bucket will help with digging any large stumps out.
Ok, enough of the explanation....I'm looking for suggestions, options, advice or an "ok" that the 939 MP will do the trick.
Thanks!

Dirthog · Oct 7, 2008

a 939 will not push over a tree anyways near 36' in fact most of the time 12" tree would be hard to push over with out diging around them first even the 953 would have a hard time doing more than that as far as picking up the stumps if you had all the soil cleaned off you might!! be able to pick up a 24" stump and carry it but not much biger than that even with my 26,000 excavator you have to work to take trees out that big and I can reach a lot higher that a track loader when pushing them over

Kernopelli · Oct 7, 2008

I am not a heavy equipment guy but my thought on the most efficent way is to start with a good size excavator w/ thumb. It will allow you to dig around the roots much more easily and a good size machine will allow you to push higher on the tree which will will make things that much easier if you plan on pushing 36" trees over. You can use it to move them around somewhat and when you've got everything down and the big digging done come back with a big track loader or dozer and do the rest. I think you're going to end up saving money and time that way.....but like I said, I'm not too up on this subject.

Happyman · Oct 7, 2008

Most of the trees ARE NOT 36", so I think the majority will go over with just a push. The pines are probably 12"-20" and just a couple of oaks at 36". I'm hoping to use one of the track loaders for a week to start most of the work, spend another week cleaning up that mess with my tractor, and then another week with the track loader to finish the "take down" of what's left.
This is going to be a lot of work.
I was considering a company that runs a machine over top of EVERYTHING and turns it into mulch. The downside is all the stumps are left, I have 2 feet of mulch over 4 acres, the soil gets screwed up from the mulch sucking nitrogen out, and then I can't dig to plant the Christmas tree saplings because of roots and poor soil. That's why I've turned to the "do it myself" way.
Again, I need some advice on equipment from someone who has done this. I also very much appreciate advice or ides from anyone and everyone.

JohninCT · Oct 7, 2008

As others have suggested, my vote would be for an excavator (with thumb if possible) to get the trees down and stumps out and then a small dozer to smooth out and tidy things up afterwards. I cleared 3 acres this way easily. The excavator that I rented (Deere 160) didn't have a thumb which would have made things SOOOO much easier. Stumps in 12 to 20 inch range or smaller should be pretty easy to take out. 36 inchers will take a bit of digging but if you don't have too many this size you won't have a problem.

Happyman · Oct 7, 2008

JohninCT said:
As others have suggested, my vote would be for an excavator (with thumb if possible) to get the trees down and stumps out and then a small dozer to smooth out and tidy things up afterwards. I cleared 3 acres this way easily. The excavator that I rented (Deere 160) didn't have a thumb which would have made things SOOOO much easier. Stumps in 12 to 20 inch range or smaller should be pretty easy to take out. 36 inchers will take a bit of digging but if you don't have too many this size you won't have a problem.

What's the best way to do this? Raise the boom and push up high on the trunk...or is it best to dig a little first. Maybe I'm answering my own question....dig a little on the big trees and just push the smaller ones.
JohninCT, how long did it take you for 3 acres?

JohninCT · Oct 7, 2008

Happyman said:
What's the best way to do this? Raise the boom and push up high on the trunk...or is it best to dig a little first. Maybe I'm answering my own question....dig a little on the big trees and just push the smaller ones.
JohninCT, how long did it take you for 3 acres?

check out this video (not mine, just one that I found on You Tube)
YouTube - Video request, easy way to remove a tree using an excavator

I rented the excavator for a week and the dozer for a week. It didn't take all of this time. I worked both machines at an earnest but not break neck pace. I enjoyed the seat time "playing" with the big machines since I had them for the week.

Happyman · Oct 7, 2008

JohninCT said:
check out this video (not mine, just one that I found on You Tube)
YouTube - Video request, easy way to remove a tree using an excavator

I rented the excavator for a week and the dozer for a week. It didn't take all of this time. I worked both machines at an earnest but not break neck pace. I enjoyed the seat time "playing" with the big machines since I had them for the week.

Thanks for the video

That was very helpful. I think you sealed the deal....it's going to be an excavator.

ScottAR · Oct 7, 2008

Letsdig18 is a member of another forum I read. That's a Daewoo 150. The Cat equal would be a 315 I believe. He has several vids of clearing trees so take a look.

An effective method seems to be making windrows along a path or piles more or less the reach of the machine traveling in a circle. You can start burning a pile while constructing another. I like the pile method as the burns are smaller and easier to watch. HTH