new member doing land clearing

[mulchie]

Great to find this forum!. We are doing some land clearing/stumping/grading and it has left me with a lot of questions about best practices for long-term soil health etc. First post: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/235559-clearing-3-acrs-young-forest.html

Always good to find those who know!

 

[Muhammad]

Welcome to TBN.

 

[creekbend]

Welcome aboard. :tractor:

 

[Briana03]

WELCOME to TBN

I moved your thread to the Land Clearing Forum.

 

[mulchie]

Thanks!

 

[fishfactor]

I read through your other tread. Have you considered just having a mulcher come in after the logging? Mulch all of the logging debris and the stumps to ground level. After many years the stumps will begin to decompose and if the depressions are a problem you can run a disc harrow over the area, the smooth and replant. This would solve your erosion problem, not disturb the topsoil, and recycle everything back into the soil. Not to mention it should cost a lot less. Just be sure to lime the soil pretty heavy as the mulch will drop the pH.

 

[mulchie]

WE're thinking about this but we don't think that equipment is available where we are and if someone has to truck a big mulcher in, that would cost a ton. Still researching that option.

 

[moored4]

:welcome: to TBN! :thumbsup:

Happy :tractor:ing!

 

[pjbci]

Im in the dozer business in south MS. An acre of heavily forested cutover runs around 2500 to 3000 to get the endresult that you mentioned. As far as the topsoil is conserned, it will be up to you to get it planted asap to establish grass and prevent erosion. If you get it planted quickly then erosion shouldnt be a problem.

 

[mulchie]

I think the costs where we are run a good deal higher, unfortunately. And I agree, we need to get the seed and mulch down fast once the clearing is complete. I think the whole job is likely to move at quite a pace once we are ready to roll.
Cheers,

 

[Carykong]

At $10k for 3 acres, you should expect and deserve a quick job with complete disposal of stumps and slash. Neat appearance before payment is made.

As you pointed out,many of the posters on this forum have equipment,saws,etc and the "do it yourself mentality." I think you are taking the right choice,particularly if you have no interest in direct participation other than writing a check and are looking for quick results.

On the other hand, if your time table is flexible and extended and you have any inclination to get out there,even with just a chain saw,a daily helper, and small tractor,your options are numerous and a lot cheaper.

Good thread. Keep us in the loop.

 

[mulchie]

Lack of equipment and lack of experience make us a very poor choice for doing this work! I'm all for DIY, but, not here, not with this.
Thanks for the info.

 

[fishfactor]

Mulchers are most everywhere in the US. Transportation isn't that big of a deal. A traditional land clearing contractor will usually bring 2 or more machines that are larger and more expensive to transport than most mulchers. We could come up for normal hourly rate plus mileage.

Not sure where exactly you are, but this is the first one that popped up on google in VT.

Aardvark Tree Service, Excavation, Land Clearing, Concrete, Plowing, Landscaping, Stonework, Burlington, Vermont

The problem with using a dozer on a slope is the unexpected. If it stays dry during the clearing, then you plant grass/straw and get light rain every few days for the next few weeks everything is OK. But heavy rains will cause quick erosion and wash your grass seed away. The mulch layer will help prevent the erosion and hold your seed in place.

 

[mulchie]

We were in touch with Ardvark, but their bid was really high and we didn't read the best reviews...
Hmmm just hours plus mileage from NC... :laughing:

 

[fishfactor]

If there bis was high compared to what you posted... maybe we need to open a office in VT:thumbsup: