Cutting Brush in the Woods

[ehart814]

I'm trying to figure out the easiest, cheapest way to clear brush in the woods to make new trails. Our property has quite a bit of unused ground that could be nice trails but the thick brush is such a pain to deal with. It's hilly, and I worry about rolling a tractor over. I could use a skid steer with a front mounted brush cutter, but it's pretty big. Ideally, I'd use a forestry mulcher but they are super expensive.

One of those DR field and brush mowers would do the job I think... but not exactly ideal since I can't run that and sit on my butt. LOL

I dream about being able to take a forestry mulcher back in there, but price and availability make it nearly impossible.

This brush is full of jaggers and it really sucks. I just bought a cordless hedge trimmer but much of it is just too thick and it would take a very long time to get through the amount of brush I want to get rid of. There is also a bunch of old tree tops and rotted trees laying around from the property being timbered years ago. I'd like to chop that crap up, but again I don't have access to a mulcher.

Anyone have any tips, tricks, ideas that won't cost me a million?

 

[tr005]

Mini excavator with a thumb? Then you could pull the brush out by its roots and then level off any spots to make your trail better. Then possibly follow up with your skid loader with brush cutter.

 

[Vikes79]

STIHL Brushcutters & Clearing Saws | STIHL USA Mobile

Whether you’re maintaining a fenceline, or out in the forest, STIHL brush cutters and clearing saws are there to help you in all the tough clearing jobs.

m.stihlusa.com

I just purchased a new STIHL brush cutter and it’s awesome.

I picked up a 4” chipper for a 3pt for $900.



I got $600 into my Sthil.

 

[CumminsPusher]

Lean to the inside of the Pioneer and go, any resistance should be treated with more throttle. 4-5 trips like that it’ll be good.

 

[Ultrasonic1]

Lean to the inside of the Pioneer and go, any resistance should be treated with more throttle. 4-5 trips like that it’ll be good.

Roads? Where we’re going we don’t need roads.

 

[ehart814]

Mini excavator with a thumb? Then you could pull the brush out by its roots and then level off any spots to make your trail better. Then possibly follow up with your skid loader with brush cutter.

Well, I will probably end up giving this a shot before anything else since we have a Bobcat 430 with hydraulic thumb, and I have some culverts that need fixed after the insane rain we had over the weekend. I'm just not sure how well I'll be able to get around in there in some of the hilly areas. And it will be a 20 minute drive back in there. LOL. And then we worry about throwing tracks... There is a relatively open area right by where I need to clear. Would be a good spot for a big fire. I can use the blade to scrape it down to the dirt so the fire won't run off on me... Maybe it could work out

 

[ehart814]

STIHL Brushcutters & Clearing Saws | STIHL USA Mobile

Whether you’re maintaining a fenceline, or out in the forest, STIHL brush cutters and clearing saws are there to help you in all the tough clearing jobs.

m.stihlusa.com

I just purchased a new STIHL brush cutter and it’s awesome.

I picked up a 4” chipper for a 3pt for $900.

View attachment 193423

I got $600 into my Sthil.

I hadn't seen those type of brush cutters. Pretty interesting. I wouldn't be willing to spend that kind of money on one but I will look around for cheaper options. Would be handy to have around.

 

[Russ989]

Skid steer with a bucket is what I use.

 

[JACKAL]

I'm trying to figure out the easiest, cheapest way to clear brush in the woods to make new trails. Our property has quite a bit of unused ground that could be nice trails but the thick brush is such a pain to deal with. It's hilly, and I worry about rolling a tractor over. I could use a skid steer with a front mounted brush cutter, but it's pretty big. Ideally, I'd use a forestry mulcher but they are super expensive.

One of those DR field and brush mowers would do the job I think... but not exactly ideal since I can't run that and sit on my butt. LOL

I dream about being able to take a forestry mulcher back in there, but price and availability make it nearly impossible.

This brush is full of jaggers and it really sucks. I just bought a cordless hedge trimmer but much of it is just too thick and it would take a very long time to get through the amount of brush I want to get rid of. There is also a bunch of old tree tops and rotted trees laying around from the property being timbered years ago. I'd like to chop that crap up, but again I don't have access to a mulcher.

Anyone have any tips, tricks, ideas that won't cost me a million?

I have had a 52" brush cutting mower towed behind my P500. I got it 4 years ago for about $2600 through LOWES. It has been great and cuts 2" saplings with ease.

This is my lot before I built my house, cleared an acre in 3 passes in less than an hour. Undergrowth was about 6 to 8 ft high. What you see left and right of both Pioneers is representative of how high it was solid through the woods.

 

[JACKAL]

Now I use it to rough cut unimproved lots and roadsides in our subdivision. Handles foot tall grass pretty well. Can be adjusted 4" to 8" high.

 

[ehart814]

I have had a 52" brush cutting mower towed behind my P500. I got it 4 years ago for about $2600 through LOWES. It has been great and cuts 2" saplings with ease.
View attachment 193425

This is my lot before I built my house, cleared an acre in 3 passes in less than an hour. Undergrowth was about 6 to 8 ft high. What you see left and right of both Pioneers is representative of how high it was solid through the woods.
View attachment 193426
View attachment 193427
View attachment 193428

I've wanted something like that forever. I think it would be fun to use. Couple years ago I bought a swisher finish cut trail mower at an auction but it needs more work than it's worth and it wouldn't handle nasty stuff.

The only problem I have with using one like yours is I really don't want to try to plow through this stuff with my Pioneer. I'd rip CV boots and do other damage I'm sure. I'm sure your machine would cut them up but i dont want to beat up the Pioneer.

 

[JACKAL]

I've wanted something like that forever. I think it would be fun to use. Couple years ago I bought a swisher finish cut trail mower at an auction but it needs more work than it's worth and it wouldn't handle nasty stuff.

The only problem I have with using one like yours is I really don't want to try to plow through this stuff with my Pioneer. I'd rip CV boots and do other damage I'm sure. I'm sure your machine would cut them up but i dont want to beat up the Pioneer.

Then this is the best option (if you have a tractor and loader) unit pictured about $3400.

 

[ehart814]

Then this is the best option (if you have a tractor and loader) unit pictured about $3400.

View attachment 193436

We are friends with another equipment dealer that sells those. One of these days i'll call them and see what they think of them now that they have been selling them for a while. That would be fun to use i'm sure. I've used the ones for skid steers and they are pretty cool.

I still think I might need to resort to something like those handheld brush cutters for some of the steep areas. The more I see the more it seems like i'm not going to get out of doing at least some of it the hard way.

 

[JTW]

We just bought one of these... been to wet to play with it though

 

[ehart814]

Kind of on the same subject.... Does anyone here have trails that they maintain in the woods? I have a little pull behind disc that I use to scratch up the trails and knock down the ruts. It kinda works but takes several passes to even get through grass. I have added weight before and that helps some. I used this a lot when I had the 500 and it worked better than my 1000 does because you could go 3 or 4 MPH with the 500 and not slip the clutch. If I go 3 mph in Low with the 1000 I feel like it might be too low of an rpm to fully engage the clutch.

Anyhow, I'm looking for ideas for something to drag the trails with to tear up the weeds and grass and level out the ruts. But It can't dig in too deep because of tree roots. I think maybe a homemade solution might be best for this application but need ideas.

 

[ohanacreek]

I use a DIY 40gal sprayer that has a boom less sprayer as well.
Hit it about twice a year with 7.5% solution of weed/brush killer and they stay pretty clear.

 

[Vikes79]

Kind of on the same subject.... Does anyone here have trails that they maintain in the woods? I have a little pull behind disc that I use to scratch up the trails and knock down the ruts. It kinda works but takes several passes to even get through grass. I have added weight before and that helps some. I used this a lot when I had the 500 and it worked better than my 1000 does because you could go 3 or 4 MPH with the 500 and not slip the clutch. If I go 3 mph in Low with the 1000 I feel like it might be too low of an rpm to fully engage the clutch.

Anyhow, I'm looking for ideas for something to drag the trails with to tear up the weeds and grass and level out the ruts. But It can't dig in too deep because of tree roots. I think maybe a homemade solution might be best for this application but need ideas.

big ole railroad tie and a chain should do the trick and not dig so deep. Once you get it there just leave it for the next time it’s needed.

 

[ehart814]

big ole railroad tie and a chain should do the trick and not dig so deep. Once you get it there just leave it for the next time it’s needed.

I've done that before. I tied one behind my little disc too when I was making my yard. The weight works good to pull the disc down and make it dig better. The trails might be a bit tight for that. I can get ahold of old railroad ties so maybe i'll go grab some

 

[100Acre]

I run my Yanmar vio 35 with a thumb and follow with my Kubota B7800 and scrape blade to finish.

 

[Remington]

I take my Ford 8N tractor and disc the trail 2 passes. Then I take the back blade to Finnish 1-2 passes. Each time with some weight on them. I found doing it in early spring to combat what might be coming up then I just have to use the blade. If it’s a real wet spring, I’ll go over it with a sprayer with some vegetation killer diluted.
a railroad tie is an excellent idea and for an all around weight.