How do you attack it?

[Beaux Duke]

I'm looking for pointers on how to take the first bite out of the lot as I begin the clearing process. My site is open land behind me (East) and the front (West) is a wall of scrub brushes, small gums and maples with a smattering of oak thrown in.

What's the best technique to get started? Go in with the grapple high and smash as much as you can to the ground first. Or go in low digging things up by the roots?

I've got to clear a 100 foot path before I get to any seriously large trees. Since this will be a learn as you go project I intend to go slow and not break any thing. So I'm looking for some guidance before I become a graduate of the school of hard knocks.

All the videos I've seen on YouTube just seem to be of people trying to tear up their rig. This tractor has to last me a long time so if I can get good, valid suggestions before I get started then I can limit the effects of the law of Murphy.

Thanks!

 

[RadarTech]

I am clearing a much smaller area...

And the thing I saw as my best option is to push up the roots...
I need to get some pics-- I'll get them tomorrow or Tuesday..

Part of the area was a mound.. so I started on the low side of the mound and worked in a circle after getting behind it..

just a thought.....

YMMV.

J

 

[two_bit_score]

There are several ways to do it with a TLB. Use the hoe or use the bucket. Push over the trees by pushing them over fairly high. Then grapple the root balls after you cut up the trees assuming you want the wood. Otherwise stack and burn.

What is "seriously large" and what is in the path before you get to them that you will be clearing?

 

[Beaux Duke]

What is "seriously large" and what is in the path before you get to them that you will be clearing?

Seriously large (to me) is 10" and larger in diameter. I plan to leave as many as I can but those in the direct path of the road have to go.

In front of the trees is all sorts of what I term undergrowth. Mostly small trees, bushes (I don't know their name) briars, vines,... just about everything that grows in dirt. It's so thick you can't walk through it without hacking a path.

As for pushing over trees, do you push high to get better leverage or is there another reason.

Thanks guys.

 

[pdowling1]

Make sure you heed the warning about the danger of falling wood from above. It can be fatal!

 

[Beaux Duke]

I've got a ROPS/FOPS but I'm not planning on taking any chances. I want to be around to enjoy the results of my work.

Thanks for the advice. I'll try to keep it in mind whenever I'm on the tractor.

 

[dodge man]

For the little stuff, take your end loader bucket and just barley scrape the ground, it will tear just about everything out. For the little bit bigger stuff, say 1 inch trees or smaller, I have the bucket dumped part way, dig it in the ground at the base of the tree, then drive forward and curl the bucket at the same time. That should pop them out of the ground.

The bigger stuff, I would chain saw what you can safely, then it will be easy to push the trees around when they are on the ground. Cut them off with a few feet left sticking up so you have some leverage to pop the stump out of the ground. It can be hard to dig out even a fairly small tree stump out of the ground, even as small as a 6" tree. You have an L so you should have some pretty good grunt.

 

[sandman2234]

Bumping a tree can cause dead limbs to fall, and if you run into it on purpose, it is even worse, especially a dead tree.
If i were going to attack a piece of property that was seriously overground, I would run a bush hog over it, high enough off the ground to just let you see the ground when your done. Make some paths where it isn't too bad, and then go at it with the loader, pushing the heavier stuff into piles, then use the hoe to remove any unwanted trees and stumps.
Everybody does it differently, but the outcome is usually the same, lots of seat time, and a nice lot to look at when your done.
David from jax

 

[LBrown59]

Make sure you heed the warning about the danger of falling wood from above. It can be fatal!

Dead trees are very dangerous.
even ones that don't have branches or limbs.

 

[HCJ]

What you describe is exactly what I've been doing for weeks. I have learned to first clear or pick a spot nearby for your pile. Then just start nibbling at it. If you are sure there are no hidden dangers (stumps, holes, drop offs) just put your grapple at eye level and ease forward, pushing things over so you can see. It helps to have a spotter if possible. Hit the big trees high and try to pop the roots up on one side. You will know quickly if your tractor has enough weight to move it. Some times I will even climb the tree a little and let the weight push it down, the back up and dig up the roots. As you get a pile pushed up, grab it and back up and carry it away. I usually carry it backwards, so the overhanging debris doesn't get rolled over and go under the tractor. I disagree on using a chain saw. Wastes time and makes it harder to dig out roots. If your tractor won't push over the tree initially, it won't dig the root out after it's cut either, so why bother to try. Leave the big trees or cut them off flush and leave the stump there. You will quickly know what trees can be ripped up and what are beyond your limits. Be careful driving over bent trees, as they can damage the tender belly of your tractor (don't ask me how I learned this!) Go forward only far enough to push over trees then back up, lower your grapple, drive forward and curl to rip up roots and lift and clamp. Carry it away and then repeat. Have fun!!

 

[aggiehortguy91]

For the little stuff, take your end loader bucket and just barley scrape the ground, it will tear just about everything out. For the little bit bigger stuff, say 1 inch trees or smaller, I have the bucket dumped part way, dig it in the ground at the base of the tree, then drive forward and curl the bucket at the same time. That should pop them out of the ground.

The bigger stuff, I would chain saw what you can safely, then it will be easy to push the trees around when they are on the ground. Cut them off with a few feet left sticking up so you have some leverage to pop the stump out of the ground. It can be hard to dig out even a fairly small tree stump out of the ground, even as small as a 6" tree. You have an L so you should have some pretty good grunt.

I gotta agree with dodge man. Once you get a feel for things, you will be amazed what you can dig out with patience and determination! Just look at the stump that is in the loader of my little BX in my avatar (and that wasn't the big one!)

Clear the little stuff out of the way first. Cut the bigger stuff off as tall as you can safely so nothing falls on you while on the tractor. Then, facing the tree with the loader, dig a bit under the stump and push from the top. You may have to reposition so that you can dig all the way around on some of the larger trees so you can cut more roots.

 

[benelli]

I knocked down some trees over the week end at leat 8 inches in diameter. Had to work on it a bit though. Once you can get it down, start trying to up root it.

 

[Oldtrout]

If it was me I would hit it with power saw or bush saw,than chip the smaller branches and anything over 4 inches I would use as firewood. I would cut as close to ground as possible,than mow with bush hog once or twice a year. If there were a fair number of large stumps,I would hire a excavator to remove them,I have found its faster to hire a proper machine to remove a number of stumps they can do more in a couple of hours than I can do in a day. A couple of stumps I can and will handle with my CK 25;any more than that I hire. The smaller stumps will rot in a couple of years,provided you go over them with bush hog a few times a year.

At least thats the way I would do it in this neck of the woods. Easier on my machine,and after I'm finished site looks neat and clean.

 

[dodge man]

I just cleared an area, maybe an acre, for a place to store a trailer. I had someone come in and grind the stumps. I had 8 stumps, 12 to 30 inches in size, and it cost $400. The reason I suggested the chain saw, was I think you are less likely to have a tree fall on you. I did have a dead limb fall out of a tree and hit me. It wasn't very heavy, and I had a loggers helmet/face shield/ear muffs type hard hat on. Didn't hurt me and it was a minute before I even realized it had happened.

One reason to wear something like that is that alot of small trees and braches have a way of whipping you in the face.

 

[Beaux Duke]

Thanks guys. I know it'll be a learning experience as I go. I appreciate all the input. I had sort of worked out a plan in my head and my ideas were pretty much in line with everyone. I'm pretty sure I'll have to try them all at one point or another.

My wife is pretty worried about falling trees and so am I. I've felled quite a few since Katrina & Gustav educated me about having trees close to the house. I'm going to try to remember to be cautious.

 

[RobJ]

With a tractor your size use your bushhog to get through the small stuff. 1.5" or less. It'll make some noise underneath but it'll take it. It'll mulch up the stuff at the same time. The stuff you have sticking up after that you can run a BB over it with the scrapers all the way down, that'll pull them up, then rake them up. For bigger trees, cut them about 4-5' up for pushing later, cut the limbs off the trunk and toss them in the opening, run over them with the RC to mulch them up. Cut the trunk for firewood.

Some pictures of trail making with my little L2500 (26hp) and a 4' RC. I just go slow, watch for junk, keep a foot on the clutch. Looking at the left and right you will get an idea of what I went through.
Rob

 

[ChuckinNH]

Rob, did you drive over that stuff, or back through it? What you did sure looks good.

 

[two_bit_score]

Dead trees are very dangerous.
even ones that don't have branches or limbs.

I'm more afraid of a dead tree than a live one when pushing them over.

 

[savageactor7]

Duke years ago I picked up an older model 48" brush hog for a song...the kind with the real heavy folding blades. When I make my first pass I like to go backwards. Mostly I like to go backwards in real heavy brush. Lighter brush I can see through I go forward.

Smaller trees usually I can lift out with the bucket. Bigger trees I'll use the bucket on one side to loosen the roots then with a bucket load of dirt/fill I raise the bucket high as possible and push on the tree...with a little experimenting you'll find a method that works for you.

I'm talking saplings up to 4-5" trees cause I'm working with a B1750. It's best to remove the brush first...that improves traction and lets you see the best angle of attack for the bigger saplings.

When you open the lot you can more easily cut and remove the bigger trees.

The nice thing about using a brushhog first is that everything gets chipped so you don't have all that limb garbage impaling your tractor or sucking up available traction.