using the grapple or backhoe to remove brush

[top gnome]

I have acres of brush and part of my intention for the grapple and backhoe was to quickly remove the brush without getting off the tractor and using a chain to pull each individual plant. the plant are 1" - 3" and from 2 ft to 12 ft. I will get some pics today to post.

I tried using the grapple to try to get under a 1" -2 ft high bush and could not move it not at all. the bush is small so hard to grip with the grapple so I used the back hoe and it also could not pull the root of the small brush. I had to dig on both sides to get the root out that took considerably longer than using a chain or rope to pull.

I wonder if there is a technique or method that I do not know that will help utilize the tools more effectively or if my grapple and back hoe need spinach or something. It seems like this should be doable at least on the smaller brush . I would like to the roots as it will just grow back if I do not. thank you

 

[Njtool]

What kind of brush? I remove Japanese barberry and multi flora rose very fast with a grapple. I also take out rather large Russian olives with the grapple. There is a technique to it.

I have to use the backhoe for things like black walnut and other proper trees.

So, what kinds of brush?

 

[fried1765]

I have acres of brush and part of my intention for the grapple and backhoe was to quickly remove the brush without getting off the tractor and using a chain to pull each individual plant. the plant are 1" - 3" and from 2 ft to 12 ft. I will get some pics today to post.

I tried using the grapple to try to get under a 1" -2 ft high bush and could not move it not at all. the bush is small so hard to grip with the grapple so I used the back hoe and it also could not pull the root of the small brush. I had to dig on both sides to get the root out that took considerably longer than using a chain or rope to pull.

I wonder if there is a technique or method that I do not know that will help utilize the tools more effectively or if my grapple and back hoe need spinach or something. It seems like this should be doable at least on the smaller brush . I would like to the roots as it will just grow back if I do not. thank you

Technique = bigger backhoe, with thumb!

 

[top gnome]

thank you here are some pictures of the brush the land is mostly beach rock with enough dirt to keep the rocks from knocking together when the wind blows hard.

I do have a thumb and have used it to move logs and rocks that the grapple cannot reach . I really only have less than 2 hours using the backhoe here is an idea of the brush and a storm cleanup picture with the grapple on.

 

[bird dogger]

I have the BXpanded ripper tooth on the end of my backhoe (BH77) for ripping out brush and small trees. Using the ripper tooth is night and day difference over the bucket on small trees and brush. With all the breakout force put into a single point the small brush is easily plucked out. A few roots sliced with the ripper first on the larger tenacious brush/small trees is usually all it takes for them to come out easy. No big holes to fill in afterwards.

 

[bbxlr8]

I have been continuing the brushwork part on a project this week and was hoping the grapple would do it better but I have not had good success in my case. My LP grapple is great at picking up piles and the tree work I mostly use it for, but I have too many sunken boulders to push it ripping roots in this area...

I have had easier & cleaner success using the BH to pull everything fanning out within reach and make piles. Once I had a bunch of these, I used the grapple to quickly load the trailer (behind Jeep - 4'x8'x3') in heaping loads to dump. There are a lot of big & little stumps mixed in with the regrowth brush as I have been planning this for a while

 

[MOOTS]

I wonder if there is a technique or method that I do not know that will help utilize the tools more effectively or if my grapple and back hoe need spinach or something. It seems like this should be doable at least on the smaller brush . I would like to the roots as it will just grow back if I do not. thank you

Start about 1’ away from the bush you want gone. Angle the tips of your grapple toward ground and drive forward. Grab whatever piles up, that should do it for the small ones. Bigger ones may need dug/pushed from all sides.

 

[mikester]

thank you here are some pictures of the brush the land is mostly beach rock with enough dirt to keep the rocks from knocking together when the wind blows hard.

I do have a thumb and have used it to move logs and rocks that the grapple cannot reach . I really only have less than 2 hours using the backhoe here is an idea of the brush and a storm cleanup picture with the grapple on.

Rent one of these, you won't want to do it any other way after

 

[top gnome]

I have been continuing the brushwork part on a project this week and was hoping the grapple would do it better but I have not had good success in my case. My LP grapple is great at picking up piles and the tree work I mostly use it for, but I have too many sunken boulders to push it ripping roots in this area...

I have had easier & cleaner success using the BH to pull everything fanning out within reach and make piles. Once I had a bunch of these, I used the grapple to quickly load the trailer (behind Jeep - 4'x8'x3') in heaping loads to dump. There are a lot of big & little stumps mixed in with the regrowth brush as I have been planning this for a while

View attachment 79589

View attachment 79591

View attachment 79593

I think I have the same situation there are so many rocks that it is hard for the grapple to get to the root.

 

[top gnome]

I have the BXpanded ripper tooth on the end of my backhoe (BH77) for ripping out brush and small trees. Using the ripper tooth is night and day difference over the bucket on small trees and brush. With all the breakout force put into a single point the small brush is easily plucked out. A few roots sliced with the ripper first on the larger tenacious brush/small trees is usually all it takes for them to come out easy. No big holes to fill in afterwards.

thank you I will look into the ripper that may be the answer the 16" bucket may just be too big

 

[top gnome]

Rent one of these, you won't want to do it any other way after
View attachment 79603

the biggest tractor rental in my area that I know of is a B2301 at the home hardware

 

[top gnome]

Start about 1’ away from the bush you want gone. Angle the tips of your grapple toward ground and drive forward. Grab whatever piles up, that should do it for the small ones. Bigger ones may need dug/pushed from all sides.

thank you I will try that next time I have the grapple on

 

[top gnome]

thank you I will look into the ripper that may be the answer the 16" bucket may just be too big

has anyone used this ripper from TA in Canada?

 

[fried1765]

Rent one of these, you won't want to do it any other way after
View attachment 79603

I cannot begin to imagine how far I would need to drive to find one of those to rent!

 

[pokey1416]

BH w thumb gets my vote. I plucked out a whole bunch of sumac last year that way. Had to move around + got chased off the BH once by yellow jackets.

 

[top gnome]

BH w thumb gets my vote. I plucked out a whole bunch of sumac last year that way. Had to move around + got chased off the BH once by yellow jackets.

thank you I moved several spruce trees today in a few minutes each it maybe just inexperience. I will try using the thumb more.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

chainsaw close to ground, spray stumps with Roundup ??
Big issue is the rocks, lack of soil.
I've dug hole this side of bush, then use BH to pull,rotate bush into hole. Ain't fast and depneds on root structure of 'bush'.

 

[bbxlr8]

Rent one of these, you won't want to do it any other way after
View attachment 79603

One of the larger landowners in the valley has one of these and uses it to maintain the edges of his fields and meadows among other things. Saw it in action about two weeks ago - AWESOME TOOL/"TOY"!!

 

[mikester]

I cannot begin to imagine how far I would need to drive to find one of those to rent!

Rental place is 80 km away for me, $250 for delivery. Not worth me driving anywhere to pick it up considering the cost of fuel these days!

 

[top gnome]

would a flail mower work on that kind of brush?