Road clearing

[DanStahn]

I'm an amateur, trying to clear my own land in upper Canada. The road in is an old old logging road not maintained for fifteen years. I must finally clear it, most shrubs on both sides in the two inch range. I'm going crazy researching best tool. Please help me decide what brush cutter (or is it clearing saw?) I need. The road is ten miles long, clearing needed both sides for about half that distance. Will also need to upkeep land, the small trees grow incredible fast. So, what will withstand that kind of use, for that kind of cutting? Unfortunately, cost is a factor. Anyone have any recommendations for cost-effective tool to do the job? Thanks! Dan

 

[palogger]

sounds the easiest option would be to hire someone with a boom mower

 

[capetrees]

Or rent/borrow a machine with a front end attached brushog. Just used one last weekend on the front of a Bobcat, absolutely awesome. Everything cut down to mulch, nothing removed, about an acre an hour.

 

[flushcut]

A forestry mulching head on a skid steer would be quick and dirty but a skid steer alone would be the best rips out the root system and all no regrowth from those stems. I have maintained trails on my friends property and it is a biannual thing. I would suggest that if you are using a bushhog of some kind to go back and treat the stumps with a herbicide.

 

[daytondedrick]

What about a thinner? Its like a weed wacker on steroids. Just to be clear, its not a weed wacker with a saw blade on it. They are called a thinner. Try this: It doesnt look like a quality one but just FYI

http://www.toolsnow.com/ryobi-brush-cutter-trimmer.html

 

[DanStahn]

Thanks guys, good suggestions. But it's canada and it's crown land all the way to my parcel, so I'm really restricted in what I'm allowed to do. No 'heavy equipment', no 'tree-cutting', no 'land-clearing'.
If I could just get two bad patches on the road done, I'd be happy. One stretch about 100 yards, the other about fifty yards. The bushes are about eight feet high, have multiple trunks/limbs, biggest as I said about two inches, most about 1 or 1-1/2 inches. Is there anything under $500 that could do that?

 

[Cowboy Billy]

Without getting the roots out most brush will sprout right back up thicker than before. If you are not in a hurry you could spray them with Amine 2-4-D using a 12v electric atv sprayer. But it might be too late in the year to do that. Other wise a 50 hp tractor with a front end loader and push them out and fix the road back up with a backblade.

Billy

 

[DanStahn]

Thanks for the suggestion, Cowboy Billy. I'm beginning to think my friends were right, I've bitten off more than I can handle. I don't know where I'd get that equipment, and don't know how to operate it. Sorry to have wasted your time guys, thanks anyway. Maybe I'll just put a canvas cover on the Toyota and bull our way through!

 

[flushcut]

Thanks for the suggestion, Cowboy Billy. I'm beginning to think my friends were right, I've bitten off more than I can handle. I don't know where I'd get that equipment, and don't know how to operate it. Sorry to have wasted your time guys, thanks anyway. Maybe I'll just put a canvas cover on the Toyota and bull our way through!

No waste of time but I would think that there would be some kind of provision to maintain the road as a land owner. It's just a guess. A clearing saw is a great tool to use for just that but you would need to treat the stumps to prevent new growth. For disposal a 6" chipper towed behind a ATV/small truck is very handy and just blow the chips into the woods. I think you could rent both for a week and have it all knocked out at your lesure it might run you a little more coin but not that much more.

 

[DanStahn]

Flushcut, thank you! That's exactly the specific advice I needed. Could you recommend a brand and/or model of clearing saw? I've researched the Royobi, Craftsman, Poulan types and don't think they're hardy enough, but can't quite go the $900 for the Stihl. Isn't there anything in between? Thanks for your time.

 

[deevo]

Where in Canada is it?

 

[flushcut]

Flushcut, thank you! That's exactly the specific advice I needed. Could you recommend a brand and/or model of clearing saw? I've researched the Royobi, Craftsman, Poulan types and don't think they're hardy enough, but can't quite go the $900 for the Stihl. Isn't there anything in between? Thanks for your time.

I have a husky 345rx (almost $1000) which is more of a multi-purpose than a dedicated clearing saw but runs a 9" blade well. I think if you do a search on clearing saws you will find a saw that fits your budget and need. Plus look for used or rent if you need it once or twice a year thats several rentals for a grand! I have read that shindawa are great saws and reasonable priced. If you are going to buy get one with a solid/tube straight drive shaft not bent or cable drive. I would also buy one from one of the major makers from a servicing dealer pro tools, I mean toys, make life a lot easier.
I hope this helps

 

[dancan]

Look for some used clearing saws , kijiji is a good place to start .
I bought a low hour 265rx for 200.00$$ and a couple of FS550's by word of mouth , now that forestry is in the crapper I'm seeing a bunch popping up in the 400.00$$ range .
If you find one but doesn't come with a harness allow 100.00$$ for one .
Burn your brush in the winter and you'll have no need for any heavy equipment .