Site clearing about to begin

[USAFpj]

Thought I'd give an update on our land clearing job: I've been overseas for a bit, but will have (45)days off real soon. My GC gave a quick estimate for the following: $3,800 for clearing/grading driveway, no gravel, to home site (about 300yds). And $2,450 for clearing trees/brush from the (1) acre home site. The trees are about 25 Virginia Pine and Yellow Poplar, most of which are less than 12in diameter. My Uncle's JD350 crawler with clamshell loader has been offered for just the cost of fuel, and sits about 2min away from my property. I've attached a pic of the property, and I think I'm going to do it! I plan on reaching high, knocking them down, cutting off the stumps, then using the clamshell, piling the logs and stumps separately. I figure worst case, my GC charges the same amount just to fix my mistakes:laughing:
View attachment 419800
View attachment 419801

 

[vtsnowedin]

Sounds like a plan. Keep us posted.

 

[farm boy00]

Thought I'd give an update on our land clearing job: I've been overseas for a bit, but will have (45)days off real soon. My GC gave a quick estimate for the following: $3,800 for clearing/grading driveway, no gravel, to home site (about 300yds). And $2,450 for clearing trees/brush from the (1) acre home site. The trees are about 25 Virginia Pine and Yellow Poplar, most of which are less than 12in diameter. My Uncle's JD350 crawler with clamshell loader has been offered for just the cost of fuel, and sits about 2min away from my property. I've attached a pic of the property, and I think I'm going to do it! I plan on reaching high, knocking them down, cutting off the stumps, then using the clamshell, piling the logs and stumps separately. I figure worst case, my GC charges the same amount just to fix my mistakes:laughing:
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=419800"/>
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=419801"/>

Wouldn't shock me if the crawler might not do it. Had a about 78-85hp old heavy construction tractor and it barely tipped the pine trees I had (10-12in)

 

[gghb]

dig into the roots on the side you are going to push from to weaken them use the dozer blade of the clam push up some dirt for a ramp to get more height close the bucket push into the tree with the bucket teeth and gentle rock back and forth until it starts to move if needed clip more root then push it over go easy watch for widow makers evan if you have a good canopy.

ghb

 

[vtsnowedin]

Back when I had (25 years ago) a 880 David Brown 2wd I found I could push over pretty good sized poplar trees If I put the loader up on them as high as it would go and drive forward with the diff. lock on while letting the loader down. then back up get the forks under the root ball and rip her out of the ground. Worked great for trees up to six inches or so. But of course being young and in a hurry I pushed it TOOO! far and tried a tree about eight inches through and thirty feet tall. It went over all right but the edge of the root ball extended back past the front wheels almost to the rear tires. So there I sat with the tractor in the air, front tires hooked over the raised edge of the root ball, rears spinning in open air in the hole where the roots had been. Looked like the tractor was doing something obscene to the tree.
I had to cut the tree up where it was including cutting the stump off under the loader frame which required a lot of hand digging and a couple of dulled on steel saw chains. Cost me more then a days time when time was short.

 

[Egon]

You mean someone else does that! My last experience also included a broken Rod on the curl cylinder.

 

[vtsnowedin]

You mean someone else does that! My last experience also included a broken Rod on the curl cylinder.

Hey the guys that build tractors Want you to use it hard and wear it out so you come back and but a brand new one that is bigger and better then the last. If everybody keeps theirs in show room condition and just drives it in the forth of July parade it will never wear out and those guys will be out of a job. I've always done my part to keep the economy steaming along towards full employment.

 

[xr_guys]

Rent an Excavator about 120 size with dozer blade two days inexperience operator and a less than day for experienced guy. Make sure you have thumb and a medium side bucket with teeth.

Tractor, you may damage it pushing those trees, not intended for that work. Use the tractor for finishing.

XR

 

[Thomas]

If you decide to push the trees over be careful base/root ball doesn't pop up which could tip tractor over.

 

[vtsnowedin]

If you decide to push the trees over be careful base/root ball doesn't pop up which could tip tractor over.

Now Thomas, did I not just lay out that complete scenario except for tipping over? If your up on a root ball you can be stuck or you can tip off on what ever side is the worst for your situation. Tipping to the happy side is so unlikely we need not consider it.