What do I need? Forest Clearing

[MarEng]

I have 57 acres I'm slowly converting from mis-managed forest to orchards. I need to clear 1.5 miles of fence line immediately and eventually start opening up for more fruit trees.

I can clear around the BIG trees but will have areas ranging from mostly open/scrub to fairly dense stands of 4" diameter and smaller saplings. The big trees will be harvested for timber.

I have a quote to clear the fence lines using a Hydra-Mulcher for $2000-3000. Before I commit I wanted to see if there was an implement investment I could make that would allow me to retain the ability to do future work. (Baring that - anyone know where to rent a Hydra-Mulcher? Hate to give away that much money without at least getting a little expereince or a new toy out of the deal.)

I currently use a 5' vertical shaft flail mower (brush hog) of unknown age/origin. Will batter a 3" tree into oblivion. Only complaints are the flying debris and the bent after skirt from pushing trees over. I have the tubing to build a push bar and reinforce the skirt. . . I also wonder what the shock loading is doing to the tractor.

I've read with interest the posts on flail mowers, esp. the part about reduced debris.

Using a 35hp Branson Diesel tractor.

Suggestion re: equipment types or makers greatly appreciated.

 

[RollTideRam]

I would like to use something like this. JC
Alternative Land Clearing - Nashville Tennessee (TN)

 

[Rara Avis]

I have 57 acres I'm slowly converting from mis-managed forest to orchards. I need to clear 1.5 miles of fence line immediately and eventually start opening up for more fruit trees.

I can clear around the BIG trees but will have areas ranging from mostly open/scrub to fairly dense stands of 4" diameter and smaller saplings. The big trees will be harvested for timber.

I have a quote to clear the fence lines using a Hydra-Mulcher for $2000-3000. Before I commit I wanted to see if there was an implement investment I could make that would allow me to retain the ability to do future work. (Baring that - anyone know where to rent a Hydra-Mulcher? Hate to give away that much money without at least getting a little expereince or a new toy out of the deal.)

I currently use a 5' vertical shaft flail mower (brush hog) of unknown age/origin. Will batter a 3" tree into oblivion. Only complaints are the flying debris and the bent after skirt from pushing trees over. I have the tubing to build a push bar and reinforce the skirt. . . I also wonder what the shock loading is doing to the tractor.

I've read with interest the posts on flail mowers, esp. the part about reduced debris.

Using a 35hp Branson Diesel tractor.

Suggestion re: equipment types or makers greatly appreciated.

Out of curiosity after they cut down the trees are they leaving all of the stumps for you??

If so, you are looking at a LARGE PROJECT...

Your flail mower will not survive 57 acres of scrub tree whacking...

You should definitely consider contracting quite a bit of this work out...or you will still be doing it many years from now...

 

[MarEng]

Paul:

Thanks for confirming. I'm interested to watch the Hydra Mulcher work - just hate to give that much and not have a new toy at the end of the day.

Yes, the timber guys leave the stumps and huge piles of slash.

Actually the stumps aren't that big a deal - I just adjust my fruit tree planting to accomodate and let the stumps rot over time. For the stumps that just won't die I have a chimney arrangement - that and a little of the slash will burn the stump to grade (or lower if I'm willing to dig a bit) overnight.

As for the slash - it either burns or gets shoved into any of several washes on our place to rot down into compost.

I've actually been very impressed with what the brush hog has handled esp. since it was free. I was hoping there was a hog on steroids or a PTO driven Hydra-Mulcher type implement available that didn't require 100hp on the PTO.

 

[MarEng]

Ok - too much Google time last night.

What I'm thinking is one of these modified to hang on a 3-point and a matched PTO driven hydraulic pump. They are designed to cut trees in the size range I require.

Anybody done anything like this before? I like the hydraulic drive as it should cushion the tractor drive train a bit. Any hints on building the hydraulic system? In particular cooling the reservoir - I suspect this will generate beacoup heat.

 

[thunderworks]

I cleared 5 acres of hedge, locust and cedar trees last Fall. I found a guy in our area (Kansas) who had a fantastic tree saw to drop the trees. He could cut anything up to 24" in diameter almost quicker than I can tell you about it. Incredible machine, pictures attached. He'd limb the trees first. I would follow behind him with my tractor and grapple and move the brushy tops to a pile then he'd return and drop the tree at or below ground level. His machine didn't mulch anything, but I wanted the wood for both fence posts and firewood. He charge $70/hr. which I think is a bargain. He cut 5 acres of trees in less than 2 1/2 days . . .This method gives you an excuse to buy a grapple . . .a remarkably versatile and useful tool.

 

[Soundguy]

Forest clearing? dozer and excavator.. or hire it out.. farm tractor ain't a good choice..

soundguy

 

[sunspot]

Forest clearing? dozer and excavator.. or hire it out.. farm tractor ain't a good choice..

soundguy

I got a quote of $180 per hour, excavator has a thumb. Ouch

 

[tlbuser]

I have 57 acres I'm slowly converting from mis-managed forest to orchards. I need to clear 1.5 miles of fence line immediately and eventually start opening up for more fruit trees.

I can clear around the BIG trees but will have areas ranging from mostly open/scrub to fairly dense stands of 4" diameter and smaller saplings. The big trees will be harvested for timber.

http://www.machinerytrader.com/list...6359137&GUID=E10F433F9147481BA1AE026B3B2D72CF
something like this would be a great addition for now and later.

Or, move up to a heavier duty bush hog like GR60

 

[tlbuser]

I got a quote of $180 per hour, excavator has a thumb. Ouch

What size excavator? machine hours or on-site time? How many hours are they estimating to complete the job? May want to get some more bids. Local price is running ~2500 per acre, we keep the logs, you get the tops and stumps piled. Burning and/or hauling adds to the price. (our burn ban goes into effect 1 June)