Pricing for Root raking 3 acres

flcracker · Mar 16, 2012

Hello, I am new to the forum. I am a homeowner and I have been watching this forum for a while to get ideas for some land clearing I want to do. I figure though I better ask some questions.

I have about 3 acres that has palmettos, small hickory nut trees, and a few large pines. It is not dense and the ground is mostly sand type soil. I want to clear my land for pasture but I have gotten some wildly different bids from 5k to 20k for the same plot of land.
My first question is the obvious equipment to use would be a wheel loader with a root rake right?
Also I have been quoted different disposal options: Haul away, Burn piles, buried, and chipper. Obviously haul away being the most expensive. I was kind of wondering which would be the better option? how hard is it to get a burn permit?
The bottom line is I am trying to save money because after clearing I have to build a barn, lay grass down, and fence.

Is this something a person could do if say I rent a wheel loader for a week from a heavy equipment rental place? or is it not something I could do efficiently on my own? I have experience driving a loader but very minimal.

If you could offer some advice that would be great. Thank you

Anthony

Carykong · Mar 16, 2012

With a tight budget, I am thinking you can level the palmetto with a robust brush cutter. Small trees,too, under 3" in diameter can be disposed of with the brush cutter. The larger trees can be left standing to accent the pasture or go back with a chainsaw. Small brush piles are legal to burn in my county without a permit. I am describing a rather cheap option that implies you have some time to get the pasture established after the slash has regraded and been disced back into the sandy soil.

flcracker · Mar 16, 2012

Why is it that bush hogging is so much cheaper? Equipement is just cheaper to buy?

Carykong · Mar 17, 2012

"Cheaper" may have been a poor choice of words. A brush cutter will allow you to chop up the small stuff without the expense and time related to disposing of your slash. In s. Florida,the chopped organic material will rot fast and provide composting for your future pasture.

flcracker · Mar 17, 2012

Oh I see

flcracker · Mar 17, 2012

Now when hiring a bush hogger. Should I ask any praticular questions? Like size of bush mower? Rate per hour or flat price? Thank you for being so helpful

MarkV · Mar 17, 2012

A Bush Hog is not going to do anything for your stumps or roots. That doesn't leave a very good setting to plant pasture grass. With sandy soil I would think that a small dozer could clear everything except the largest trees in a short amount of time. You would have to check with your county about burn permits. That will vary by location.

MarkV

Barnone · Mar 17, 2012

Rent or hire a root rake on a loader is the way to go as far as I am concerned.

When I need to burn my burn pile, I just need to call the fire dept with my strap number here in Collier County,FL. No permit just notification with our FD.
I do need a water source and at least two pieces of equipment standing by when burning.
Call your local FD for requirements.

flcracker · Mar 17, 2012

That's the thing about hiring a guy. I called a few and there pricing was so wildly differant. What's an average cost per hour for a loader with a rake?

foreman Etexas · Mar 17, 2012

Roughly around $100 an hr for small dozer and 10hr minimum. I bought my dozer for $6500 cple years ago. I cleaned up 1ac.cple weekends ago and it took 2days and it was thick,so im going to say 5/6,000 if you burn the piles yourself and dont take out the big trees. It takes alittle longer to keep the dirt out of the pile having to roll the brush and everything,so pay attention if you get someone to clear it with dozer that he isnt just shoving crap in the pile.