Where/How to start

[Adam33]

Just acquired a Ford 4600 and don't know much about how to operate it. I also own 15 acres of land 100 miles west of Houston.

Nothing has been done on this land for over a 100 years. I recently had a bulldozer clear out the heavy undergrowth and dead oaks, a lot of mesquite, and some standing trees that needed to come down along the fence line.

The ground is sandy loam with clay about 18" down. It is uneven and has alot of root growth just below the surface. I would like to level it out and clean it up as much as possible and eventually plant it in coastal bermuda.

Please give me some direction as to what to do, which implements I need and in what order to proceed.

The tractor does have a loader on it. The back five acres has a lot of scrub mesquite that goes up to about 5-6" in diameter. With the use of my loader will I be able to dig up and pull these stums? Pull them out or lift them out with chain and loader what is the best way?

 

[wushaw]

On the Mesquites you have to get the NUT of the root ball to kill the tree or it will just come back if you just knock them over which is not a problem, they will break off at and and a little above ground level.
Using the FEL to dig up the stumps will work but you will have lots of big holes. I use my BH to remove the stump, it works for me.
You need to foam fill your tires for working with the Mesquites.
The thorns last for years laying on the ground.
If you have any Honey locus, the ones with the very long thorns, they are the hardest thing to get rid of cause digging the stump ain't enough the roots will start new growth and they grow as fast a willow tree.
Roundup works on new growth thankfully... but it can take a couple of years to finally kill it all.

 

[Highbeam]

Bring the dozer back and have him brush rake the entire place. Burn the slash. Then with your tractor, collect the littler stuff while leveling somewhat with a rake. Then disc and drag before planting.

Folks, who cares if it tries to come back? From this point forward it will be mowed with a brush hog type implement. Are you folks saying that the sprouts are too tough for the rotary mower? If at anytime you stop mowing the 15 acres, the brush will grow back and it won't take 100 years.