Lot Clearning - DIY or Pro ?

VH5150 · Mar 2, 2015

Hi all,

I'm in the process of acquiring almost four acres of land with plans to build a house on it. I'm considering clearing the lot (maybe an acre or so, not the entire lot) of trees and stumps by myself with an excavator in an effort to rough clear a path for a driveway and for the home site itself. Some of the lot has already been cleared and leveled with fill so I have a great place to start and to fell/stack trees.

Here's the pickle: I've never operated an excavator before. The only hydraulic equipment I have experience with is my Kubota BX and a Bobcat Skid Steer (S550). I've wanted to learn to excavate for many years though and feel I could be up to speed fairly quickly on the basics of the machine and safety.

The area to clear consists of trees that are mostly 15" or less in diameter and there are all types: Oaks, Maples, Hemlocks, tall pines, etc.

My plan was to rent an excavator for a week to fell trees, stack them, and, if necessary dig out the stumps of anything I can't push over. I will have a helper to help chainsaw trees if needed and will rent a big chipper.

So, my questions:
(1) Am I crazy to want to try this on my own?
(2) What size excavator would you recommend - I was thinking an 11,000lb machine at first but now I'm looking at 18,000-ish. Too big? Too small? In the Goldilocks zone?
(3) Will companies rent a larger excavator to a Joe Shmoe like me without experience?

Thanks in advance for any replies!

davesl708 · Mar 2, 2015

Not crazy.
Get the biggest excavator you can. Will make the job go faster.
Rental companies do not know who they rent to even when a guy drives up in a company truck.

Go for it. The job will get done the way you want it. Why let the contractors have all the fun.

VH5150 · Mar 2, 2015

Any tips to safely fell trees in an excavator? I've been checking YouTube but thought I'd solicit some advice.

I'm thinking an 18,000lb (KX080 for example) machine should be adequate. Seems to be the right balance of size and cost to rent.

davesl708 · Mar 2, 2015

VH5150 said:
Any tips to safely fell trees in an excavator? I've been checking YouTube but thought I'd solicit some advice.

I'm thinking an 18,000lb (KX080 for example) machine should be adequate. Seems to be the right balance of size and cost to rent.

18k should work. Push away from you. Watch for overhang. Don't want it to break off and fall back on you. Push slow and steady. If tough undercut on the back side to cut some anchor roots.

Sprinklerman · Mar 2, 2015

The digging will be pretty much the same controls as your bx , a lot faster and way more power ( when you get back on the bx you will notice it) They are pretty much easy to run take your time and have the guy delivering the machine show you the controls . there is a first time for everything.

VH5150 · Mar 2, 2015

davesl708 said:
18k should work. Push away from you. Watch for overhang. Don't want it to break off and fall back on you. Push slow and steady. If tough undercut on the back side to cut some anchor roots.

I've seen some guys on YouTube rotating the excavator chassis to push over trees instead of using the boom/stick hydraulics. Is that bad practice or are they just doing that because it's easier than maneuvering the excavator for every tree?

RedNeckRacin · Mar 2, 2015

VH5150 said:
I've seen some guys on YouTube rotating the excavator chassis to push over trees instead of using the boom/stick hydraulics. Is that bad practice or are they just doing that because it's easier than maneuvering the excavator for every tree?

The swing of the machine does not have nearly the force that the straight line push pull of the boom does. Push the trees away from you.

tonyoz · Mar 2, 2015

You have never operated an excavator and are going to clear trees? You better factor a big damage bill on top of the rental. Clearing trees is NO place for a novice I'll give you the tip and watching videos don't count as experience.

VH5150 · Mar 2, 2015

tonyoz said:
You have never operated an excavator and are going to clear trees? You better factor a big damage bill on top of the rental. Clearing trees is NO place for a novice I'll give you the tip and watching videos don't count as experience.

Fair enough. I appreciate the honesty. How did you learn without experience? I've already identified some trees that I don't dare touch. A lot of them are practically sticks to an excavator (>4" in diameter). I wouldn't think of attempting this if I thought it was out of my league. Anything big and I'll let the pro's handle it.