Replies

1. 
   Boss_Hog | Jan 08, 2002 08:43pm | #1

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   I used to think that a bulldozer was the best way to clear trees, but not anymore. Those trackhoes can do amazing things. That's definitely the way I'd go. The prices sound like they're in line or maybe a little high.

   One added thought - Sounds like you're clearing a road back to a building site ? If you are, keep in mind that most of your building materials will be coming to the site in trucks. We often get into situations like this, where a winding road is cut through trees that's just wide enough for a volkswagon. Then we show up with 14' wide roof trusses on a 42' trailer and a tractor mounted crane and can't get into the job.

1. 
   Andy_Engel_ | Jan 08, 2002 08:59pm | #2

   *Mark, the prices sound in line with what I've paid in NJ and in CT. Those hoes are amazing stump-pullers and hole-diggers. Andy

1. 
   Scott_M. | Jan 08, 2002 10:36pm | #3

   *I assume he's got a hydraulic thumb on the hoe. If not he'll be wasting your time. A good operator with a bucket and thumb can yank, top, de-limb and stack timber with amazing efficiency. I cleared our land with such an operator two years ago. All I had to do was buck off the stumps and cut the logs into 20' lengths. He did the rest with the machine.Good luck,Scott.

1. 
   David_Thomas | Jan 08, 2002 10:47pm | #4

   *Yeah, an excavator with thumb grabbed my 12" to 24" diameter spruce while someone chainsawed them, then limbed them and stacked them in neat piles. $900 to clear 100' x 200' (0.47 acres). Including stump pulling and a bit of grading. I'd flag the trees to be removed in red, any to save in green. And then get a fixed-price bid. So if the operator or machine or having a bad day, your price is fixed. Offering to pay in cash sometimes cuts the bill by $100. -David

1. 
   Don_Reinhard | Jan 09, 2002 05:23am | #5

   *Osage orange & spiny locust trees. Buy the chainsaws and pay me $1000 an hour & I'll come cut those for you. Osage orange will eat chains for lunch, & the spines on both type trees will impale you worse than if you accidentally made love to a porcupine while drunk. Hire the guy w/ the right equipment - it'll save your sanity and money. Take a few 4 inch dia sections of osage orange & make mallets from them. I have two that are 25 yrs old, and going strong.Don Reinhard

2. 
   Treetalk_ | Jan 11, 2002 03:01am | #6

   *Just a thought but around here guys who are into making bows for archery would love to check out a patch of woods like that. Apparently there isnt a finer wood than osage to make a long bow.You might just leave a note at some hunting/fishing stores.Other than that I cant think of anything nastier to clear unless hawthorn or wild rose.They will continue to attack you till the last instant they leave your hand as your chucking them on the burn pile.

3. 
   jim_l | Jan 11, 2002 08:02pm | #7

   *Osage orange and locust are very rot resistant. I've heard osage orange posts last 100 yrs or more. Beautiful yellow wood for woodturners also. I'd keep anything 6"s thick or more of both trees for future use.

2. 
   Mark_H | Jan 11, 2002 08:02pm | #8

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   I want to cut a trail through my woods and clear about 3/4 of an acre. It's all weed trees mostly 3 to 8 inches with a few large Osage Orange (Hedge Apple) trees and spiny locust trees. This excavator wants to bring in his large track hoe and a loader. I questioned whether such a large piece of equiptment was necessary but he assures me it will make the job go faster. I hope it goes fast because he's quoting me $100 per hour for the hoe and $75 per hour for the loader. Does this sound reasonable?