forestry chipper an option?

[Boike]

We have been in the process of clearing some old overgrown(like 15 years worth) fields that have grown up in Autumn olive, cedar and small pines for the last couple of years. We have been using a 15 ton loader to push it into piles, burn, back drag the area, and then seed. I am wondering if hiring someone to come in with a chipper would be a cost effective option. I did about 20 acres last Summer but we have some areas that are a bit steeper and would prefer NOT to rip up the roots and loose most of the topsoil on. We can spray for the broad leaf weeds after the chipping. Could one of these on a large skid steer, or even one of the wheeled units work for this? What kind of costs are you looking at on a per acre basis. I am not expecting a preped seed bed or anything, just having the stumps down to close to ground level.

 

[2dogs]

Call your local land clearing contractors and find out. You can have them mulch the vegetation or simply mow it.

 

[char]

What about a slashbuster?

 

[Boike]

I have not seen many slashbuster type units in the area, but somehting like that may work. Most of the material is under 10" and we are trying to keep from tearing up what grass on the steeper areas(under 20%) growing now. any ideas on what kind of cost you would be looking at per acre of clearing? Doing it all myself(and paying myself nothing) I was looking at about $550/ac machine costs, fuel etc. I am not thinking I will be this low, but just trying to decide if it could be an option.

 

[ASD]

from $1000 to $5000 per AC

 

[Boike]

ASD thanks for the range. I know its pretty broad, but I was figureing on at least 1k/ac. I am meeting with someone tomorrow. Of course I am hoping it will not be in the 5k range!

 

[redprospector]

I have not seen many slashbuster type units in the area, but somehting like that may work. Most of the material is under 10" and we are trying to keep from tearing up what grass on the steeper areas(under 20%) growing now. any ideas on what kind of cost you would be looking at per acre of clearing? Doing it all myself(and paying myself nothing) I was looking at about $550/ac machine costs, fuel etc. I am not thinking I will be this low, but just trying to decide if it could be an option.

Unless you expect to get a lot of rain before the grass starts back, I don't think you'll have too much problem with under 20% slopes, the chips and junk left after masticating will help hold the soil.
I'm sub-contracting some mastication to another contractor right now, and it's costing him between $800 & $1100 an acre depending on the terrain and how thick it is. He had me on some stuff the last couple of days that was 45% slope according to the state forestry. I got 1 1/2 acres done and told him today that I wouldn't be going back up that hill. It's just too hard on the machine. I'll be starting some flatter ground on Monday. Hopefully it's less than 20%.

Andy