What can a BUSH HOG do?

Boeing · Dec 30, 2011

Fellas, while reviewing an aerial photo of my land just prior to deer season I discovered what looked like a logging road that I didn't know was there. It's about 50 yards below my field and runs down the hill about 300 yards to the old unusable gravel road. (used to be the only access to my land) This logging road is hidden by about 10 yards of 8' pines and the logging road itself is totally grown up with 1" to 1 1/4" saplings, (poplar, maple, a few locust). There is a MAJOR deer trail winding thru those saplings. I'd like to "hog" a 5' strip thru the saplings to make this old road usable and to get a tree stand up there, (rather than drag the heavy kit thru the woods) I could load the stand kit and tools in the tractor). Also it would make it much easier to create shooting lanes for the newly mounted tree stand.
I've never taken my bush hog into "rough" country. Will it cut these saplings or do I need to take a chain saw and whack 'em about an inch off the ground. Then do I hog over them or just leave them laying there? I could toss them aside I guess...but there are hundreds of them. This logging rd is about 1/2 mile long and just fades out at the top of the ridge into hardwoods.
With some saw/bushhog work my field could have a new access road for ATV or tractor (or hunter)
Needing some "hog" help, thanks

Thomas · Dec 30, 2011

Go slow and see how the bush hog acts,or can you rent chipper?
If I,I would run over branches/limbs over w/tractor.

bucktaker · Dec 30, 2011

Can it cut the saplings yes ....would I no. Chain saw it open, then bushhog to maintain it.

Better yet open only enough to use a quad once to carry the tree stand and or hunter. less likely for trespassers to find your equipment.

foreman Etexas · Dec 30, 2011

Boeing said:
Fellas, while reviewing an aerial photo of my land just prior to deer season I discovered what looked like a logging road that I didn't know was there. It's about 50 yards below my field and runs down the hill about 300 yards to the old unusable gravel road. (used to be the only access to my land) This logging road is hidden by about 10 yards of 8' pines and the logging road itself is totally grown up with 1" to 1 1/4" saplings, (poplar, maple, a few locust). There is a MAJOR deer trail winding thru those saplings. I'd like to "hog" a 5' strip thru the saplings to make this old road usable and to get a tree stand up there, (rather than drag the heavy kit thru the woods) I could load the stand kit and tools in the tractor). Also it would make it much easier to create shooting lanes for the newly mounted tree stand.
I've never taken my bush hog into "rough" country. Will it cut these saplings or do I need to take a chain saw and whack 'em about an inch off the ground. Then do I hog over them or just leave them laying there? I could toss them aside I guess...but there are hundreds of them. This logging rd is about 1/2 mile long and just fades out at the top of the ridge into hardwoods.
With some saw/bushhog work my field could have a new access road for ATV or tractor (or hunter)
Needing some "hog" help, thanks

If you use your shredder sure gonna make some racket,do you have a HD model shredder?

Ranger Rick · Dec 30, 2011

I also found an old road going around the back part of our property when we looked at the aerial photos. I have found that if I can push it over when backing up, the bush hog will chop it up. Go slow and be prepared to lift the bush hog up some if it gets too big a bite. Have fun. We have many trails now.
Rick

Thomas · Dec 30, 2011

Check your local equipment rental most offer 2 or 3 different models,I like the models w/there own engine.

Boeing · Dec 30, 2011

Shreader? I don' have no shreader....or chipper, although that would be great. In fact I don't have an ATV....just a tractor and feet:laughing: Wanted to hang a couple of treestands for NEXT fall and thought it would be alot easier before the leaves and briars come in. Also you can get a good idea of the view and possible shooting lanes now.:confused2:

Boeing · Dec 30, 2011

Thomas, were you talking about renting a hog (I have that) or a chipper?

Thomas · Dec 30, 2011

Chipper

bucktaker · Dec 30, 2011

Shredder, or Rotary Cutter is the same as what you are calling bush hog .

Go for it let us know how you make out

DT86 · Dec 30, 2011

I see from your picture you have a FEL. Why not just push them out of the ground and pile them up??

On the other hand back when we were cleaning up our farm we would bushhog any thing the tractor would run over. We had an old beat up 5' mower we didn't care about though.

Robert_in_NY · Dec 30, 2011

If their saplings and you have a decent rotary cutter then put it in the lowest gear you have and go at it. I will say this, 5' is not wide enough. As soon as you open up that 5' path the brush and trees on both sides will immediately start growing in and that 5' path will get narrow fast. Cut it open at least 10 feet so that you don't have to fight off limbs every time you try to go through there.

Depmandog · Dec 30, 2011

Only an inch to inch and half? Go for it. If you have a lot and it sounds like you do, keep it slow. After you hit a sapling tree, it takes a second or so for the blades to re-extend and build up to full force, so blowing over several at once or in rapid succession will likely give you trouble getting "clean" cuts.

Sounds like fun!!

wcampbell47 · Dec 30, 2011

I would have a concern for sharp stubs left by chainsawing. Punctured tires, feet and such. Now if you had a saw blade that cut parallel to the ground that might be different. That seems like a lot of work.

Check your specs on your bush hog to see if it was designed to shred the size stuff you have. Service the slip clutch before getting started. Go as slow as you possibly can for starters. Lower the FEL or have a heavy duty front bumper on the tractor to push the saplings over.

Whatever you do be careful.

rtimgray · Dec 31, 2011

I have bush hogged a lot of saplings that size or greater, and with a pretty cheap model bushhog (Howse). I usually just go slow and turn the radio up louder. I haven't broken anything (yet).

Good luck and take care.

Code54 · Dec 31, 2011

I have to agree, I would do it. I did a bunch of 1/2-2" saplings (about 1/2 acre) with a B7610 and 4' brush hog and most were maples and oaks - went slow and it did it without the slightest problem.

KYDan · Dec 31, 2011

A good heavy duty rotary mower should handle the job, but if you have a toothbar on your loader you might consider trying that first. Effectiveness for this approach is dependent upon your soil type. If it is sandy it should be fairly easy, heavy clay more difficult or maybe not possible. If you push them over and then pile them at the edges there are no stumps to trip you or damage tires and it provides superior egress to your stand with your ATV, or whatever. It looks better as well and makes it easier to maintain.

pennwalk · Dec 31, 2011

For me it is a self regulating process. If my tractor can run it over the bush hog will tear it up. That's what a bush hog is for. If you just want to mow grass that's what a finish mower is for.

Chris

Ken45101 · Dec 31, 2011

we would bushhog any thing the tractor would run over.

I was told that when I first got started. He was wrong....there are saplings that I will BACK over with the cutter but won't drive the tractor over going forward :laughing:

If it's a medium or heavy duty unit, it will handle them. But watch out for damage underneath the tractor. Seems that they are making the newer tractors more vulnerable underneath than they used to.

If the trees are fairly think, you are going to end up with a jumbled mess and you won't be able to back off of the pile if you have driven forward on the trail.

Taking down a single tree or two is one thing, going through a thicket is another. I don't think I'd do it.

Ken

Boeing · Dec 31, 2011

Guys, you are giving me GREAT input, thanks.
Couple of questions....my "hog" is a light duty (I guess) old, bought used, FORD built BIG BEE brand?) IT has no "clutch" just a shear pin.
Would that leave the same "stakes" sticking up that a "low cut" chain saw would leave?
I never thought about the toothed FEL. Yes, I did buy some teeth last year....would I just set it about 2" off the ground and grunt thru the saplings? Or do you push up to them and lift the bucket to try to pull them out of the ground? Then what....go OVER them with the hog or throw them off to the side? It would be nice to haul them up to the field and rent a chipper. My field has such poor soil that some chips might help it...Wonder what a chipper would rent for?.