Clearing undergrowth!

aasu03

New member

Equipment
Kubota L3800HST
Nov 2, 2016
14
0
0
McDonough, GA
Hello all... I've got an L3800 and I recently purchased some land that has about 7-8 years of undergrowth that I'd like to mostly clear as it was clear cut back then. I'm considering a King Kutter L60-60-HD and possibly a Wildkat tree shear to attach to the QD bucket (I do have front remote hydraulics). I figured I could snip the bigger stuff and mow over the smaller stuff. Is this sound thinking? Also, I'd really like to know your reviews on both the KK L-60-60HD and the Wildkat Tree Shear (Tree Shear Bobcat Skid Steer Quick Attachment). Thanks for the input!
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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Lifetime Member

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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
33,364
8,682
113
Sandpoint, ID
Look at a Flail mower, little more money, but a much better tool for junk / slash / stump / brush clean up /breakdown, then can also be used to maintain after you get it cleaned up just like a rotary mower.

Now as far as the tree shear goes, I wouldn't recommend it!
You don't have any safety protection from falling limbs or possibly a whole tree, a skid steer has a roll cage and safety features your tractor does not have.
It's very easy to get into trouble with a tree sheer as the tractor has a very high center of gravity compared to a skid steer.
Also any device like this is hard to maneuver and align with a tractor FEL, and misalignment can cause damage to the FEL quite easily from the tremendous side load that a sheer can put on it.
 

D2Cat

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Equipment
L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
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40 miles south of Kansas City
I'd say buy what ever mower you need to get the brush, but for the bigger stuff you're considering a tree sheer for....I'd hire someone with a skid steer to do.

A person who has the equipment to hire out for tree sheering will have it all figured out. They know how to get the tree down and away from them, spray the stump if it will sprout back up, and have a push rake to pile the material up for you to burn. They will get the job done much much faster then you can with a tractor.

A few years ago I had about 15 acres cleared. It had been left to grow and some area wash out for over 20 years. He cleaned a 10 acre patch so close to the ground and sprayed the locust. The next summer I cut the brome hay that was there with a hay bine (that's with sections like on a sickle mower).

I had folks stop by to watch me, then ask how many sections I broke! I broke 6 the first years. I cleaned out some of the problems with a maul and in a couple of years I broke zero sections.

My point is, get it done the first time without buying the equipment and learning curve, and be done with it.