Best way to remove roots from ground?

[MattN03]

I've been working to clear 5 acres we plan to build on in a few years. I've dug up the stumps, and now I'm trying to remove roots and debris and level the soil. I graded a section with the box blade (teeth all the way down) and this did get some of the roots up. I'm thinking using the landscape rake next to try to remove more of the little root debris. Any suggestions on a better way to tackle this type of work? I don't have access to other implements and don't plan to buy anything else at this time.

 

[Redlands]

I know this will sound a bit silly but a brush hog works great when running really close the the ground on those roots shown in the top and middle picture. It's slow work but so does a set of limb loppers and/or a saws all. At least these get the stuff you have worked up and can see.

 

[maclean]

Anything with tines. I'd use my land leverer with the tines down.

 

[Bulldog777]

You can run your box blade with teeth down, but if you travel in different directions you will remove more roots. You can use a middle buster plow also. I bought mine for $159 at Tractor Supply. I busted up new ground for a garden and was pulling roots out everywhere. But if there are stumps all around this would not be a good option.

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[Creature Meadow]

The landscape rake should remove some of them and level.

Maybe follow up with the box blade with scarifiers down.

A old piece of chain link fence may work for the smaller ones. It seems when I drag over my food plots the fence finds ever possible root and limb that is there causing uneven leveling and covering of my seeds until I get off and remove them.

Good luck.

 

[Tooljunkie]

Rent a dethatcher,it will tear up all that small stuff and windrow it. A harley rake would be the best answer and make quick work of it. My cushman sand rake has a set of tines mid mount under machine and it works very well too. Find yourself a set of drag harrows. Cheap and effective too.i think the lanscape rake you have will do a good job,will leave most of the dirt behind.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

If your not building for a couple years, level it good, and wait, it will break down the roots over a couple years and then they won't be an issue!

You won't be building directly on the soil that is there, it will have to be dug up for the house so don't waste a ton of time on it.

 

[Ramos]

If your not building for a couple years, level it good, and wait, it will break down the roots over a couple years and then they won't be an issue!

You won't be building directly on the soil that is there, it will have to be dug up for the house so don't waste a ton of time on it.

+1
Let time and weather do some of the work. Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is, well, nothing.

 

[D2Cat]

If you just HAVE to do something, get one of these to do the leveling. It will help remove some of the loose stuff, (and make you feel like you accomplished something).

http://www.palletforks.com/6-landsc...achment.html?gclid=CNnU0bO0zNICFQu5wAody5AFvA

You can probably pick one up off of CL at a discounted price, with very little use.

 

[MattN03]

If you just HAVE to do something, get one of these to do the leveling. It will help remove some of the loose stuff, (and make you feel like you accomplished something).

http://www.palletforks.com/6-landsc...achment.html?gclid=CNnU0bO0zNICFQu5wAody5AFvA

You can probably pick one up off of CL at a discounted price, with very little use.

Yep, I already have a landscape rake. That'll be my next step, just as soon as I get time. Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

 

[cerlawson]

I'd use a three point rear powered roto-tiller, as for a garden You can set it for different depths and go deeper gradually. It might get hung up on real big ones, but working gradually they can really cut stuff up.

 

[MattN03]

I went up to our property this afternoon and used the landscape rake the whole time. It turned out pretty good I think.