Land clearing question

[CJ7Diesel]

I have what I believe is a relatively small land clearing project. I have been researching all of my options to figure out the best plan of attack.Here is what I have in mind so far I would appreciate feed back, especially if anyone believes I am way off base.

I have roughly 2 acres to clear down to the dirt so that we can plow a garden and plant some fruit trees. There are only a few big trees that will probably be left. Most of the trees are at most 8 inches, like scrub oaks. I plan to clear by hand all of the brush and cut down the trees and cut them up. I spent one day so far and cleared about a quarter acre so I believe that could be accomplished in a couple weeks. This will leave a field of tree stumps, like I said, only about 8 inch diameter stumps. I then plan to clear that with a dozer and root rake which I would think will be easier since all of the trees will be gone. After that it is just clean up. Plowing, grading, and dragging.

If anyone has any input or other ideas it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

--By the way, I was checking into a land clearing company but it seems like they don't want to even talk to me over a measly 2 acres. So that option is out simply because I have not been able to get anyone to come look at it and give me a quote.

 

[ShearHeadMS]

If its just 2 acres with stumps that small, go buy a 70cc chainsaw, and rent a stump grinder. I wouldn't justify buying a skidd steer or a brand new tractor to do 2 acres. And as far as roots go, run it over with a decent sized plow and harrow it out, a dozer digging up stumps won't make you as happy as you'd think

 

[yellowdogsvc]

I have what I believe is a relatively small land clearing project. I have been researching all of my options to figure out the best plan of attack.Here is what I have in mind so far I would appreciate feed back, especially if anyone believes I am way off base.

I have roughly 2 acres to clear down to the dirt so that we can plow a garden and plant some fruit trees. There are only a few big trees that will probably be left. Most of the trees are at most 8 inches, like scrub oaks. I plan to clear by hand all of the brush and cut down the trees and cut them up. I spent one day so far and cleared about a quarter acre so I believe that could be accomplished in a couple weeks. This will leave a field of tree stumps, like I said, only about 8 inch diameter stumps. I then plan to clear that with a dozer and root rake which I would think will be easier since all of the trees will be gone. After that it is just clean up. Plowing, grading, and dragging.

If anyone has any input or other ideas it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

--By the way, I was checking into a land clearing company but it seems like they don't want to even talk to me over a measly 2 acres. So that option is out simply because I have not been able to get anyone to come look at it and give me a quote.

You could doze it all into piles but if you are chipping up the brush, you could rent a small excavator and dig out the stumps without pushing up so much dirt. If you are going to haul off everything, rent a skid or CTL with a grapple and pick up leftovers and stumps for containers or however you plan to dispose. You can clean up 2 acres of leftovers pretty quick with a CTL or skid an grapple. My first choice, if you were going to hand cut would be to chip as you go or windrow and mulch after uprooting everything that way you are not hunting stumps forever. If you cut by hand, leave the stumps a little high so you can find them and/or have a little leverage for a smaller machine. Unless it's a lot thicker than I'm picturing in my head, I don't think a dozer is a necessity for what you are describing.

 

[EddieWalker]

I have a pretty good sized dozer and it's the last thing I would use for land clearing. It does the job, but it also creates a heck of a mess that has to be cleaned up which means doing everything twice. An excavator is the best tool for clearing land. Pulling out small trees and brush with the roots intact is quick and easy. No roots to deal with later on. roots in the ground will haunt you for years. Disking or plowing them up doesn't work so well and it creates more work and a lot of frustration. Getting the roots out with the tree all at once is the fastest, easiest and cleanest way to clear land. Especially if you are going to plant a garden. Most small excavators have a blade on them for cleaning up the ground. It's nothing like a regular dozer, but it will get the job done. I have a full sized backhoe and that's what I use for clearing land. The hoe either plucks out the smaller stuff, or digs down around the roots for the bigger trees and pushes them over. I've taken out oaks and pines that where 3 to 4 feet thick at the base without any problems. The hole is pretty big on those trees, but with the front bucket, it's easy to bring in some dirt and fill it up so you never know the tree was ever there. Time wise, taking out the entire tree is anywhere from 15 minutes to half an hour for trees from a foot to 2 feet in diameter and depending on the species. Cutting them off with the chainsaw takes about five minutes, but then several hours to dig up the stump. Stumps are the worse thing in the world to dig up. You lose all the leverage of the tree standing there and it's where all the damage to the machine occurs. Using a dozer to take out a stump is even worse because you have to get the blade under the root ball and cut at least have the big roots. The only way to do this is to dig. And a dozer blade digs a BIG HOLE!!!! If it's small enough to just pluck out and push over with the dozer, it's even easier and faster to take out with the hoe.

Are you going to burn or haul off the debris? Either way, it's is going to be faster and easier if you can pick it all up and place it on the burn pile or trailer. The dozer, even with a rake, adds dirt to your burn pile. You end up with a dirt hill as big as the burn pile by the time everything is done, which means more work. By picking up the debris and putting it on the pile, you get a clean burn that goes a lot faster and leave very little to clean up. I don't know how you would load anything with a dozer.

Once it's all cleared, the dozer is by far the best tool for grading the land, and that's what I use mine for. You can also grade the land with a backhoe or boxblade, but both are slower. If I already had either one, I probably wouldn't rent a dozer for such a small area, unless you really have to move a lot of dirt. If you don't have any experience with a dozer, it might be cheaper to hire it out. An operator should be able to get 2 acres level in half a day with a decent sized machine.

Eddie

 

[savageactor7]

Just get some bids from a number of local landscaping services.

Once the area is cleared and prepared it'll be easy for you to maintain a yearly garden with a walk behind tiller.

 

[CJ7Diesel]

Thanks for the replies. You all have been very helpful. Put me back on track with my original idea with the backhoe. I plan to start soon. I will let you know how it turns out.

Thanks

 

[BridgeBoy]

Thanks Eddie for your information. I also have at least ten acres that I want to clear. Hardwoods and also overgrown and planted close together pine xmas trees that were never harvested. First thought is to use Dozer. Then with all the experienced people on the forum I have read suggestions exactly like you have stated. Now my plan is to look for a 580k 4 X4 Case used in the $20,000 range. Seems like that would be best for removing stumps and general clean up. Can use around property since I have more land that I may want to clean up in a few years. Retired so I can take my time. If I don't go that route I may hire it done. I guess there are pros and cons for each way.

Thanks to all for sharing your thoughts.

BridgeBoy

 

[HillStreet]

Small excavator to grub it and smooth it with bucket or blade. Around here we can bury stumps/brush so long as you have the right spot and not too much to bury (never had a sink hole at 4 sites after many years).

Depending on the job the excavator did, you may just need light landscape rake and seed the ground. Price it out, it probably less than you think for an A-1 job.

 

[EddieWalker]

If you are going to get a backhoe, or already have one, you really need to look into getting a grapple for it. NOTHING comes close for cleaning up the debris you take out with the hoe. You never have to leave your seat to wrap chains around anything. We have found that it's best to take out as much material as possible without driving over anything. NEVER EVER drive over branches. They will tear off hoses or go through metal. Once you have an area of debris laying around, then concentrate on cleaning it up with the grapple. Being able to stack everything allows you to burn it clean. Once the burn pile is done, there isn't very much left to clean up.

Eddie

 

[BridgeBoy]

Thanks Eddie,

A friend of mine has directed me to a machinery rental company or dealer that will rent me a Bob Cat with a mulching head. I think this will get me started to clean up some of the one and two inch material. Fair amount of brush and berry bushes. Not for sure of the diameter of tree trunks that I can mulch without being to hard on rental machine. Some of my Xmas trees must have a 12 dia. trunk I think. When I do find a 580K I believe like you stated that a grapple would be a big help. What about a thumb when considering cost?

Would like to hear of anyone's experience with a Bob Cat and mulching head? I am not ever sure of the model of Bob Cat, since I haven't made contact with the dealer.

Thanks,

Bridge Boy