brush clearing/pasture renovation project

[nrh0011]

Dad and I are clearing about 10 acres of thick brush on a piece of property we own. We also just had about 15 acres of pulpwood cut on this same parcel. Our overall goal is to turn the majority of it back into pasture except for the bottom (10-12 acres) which will serve as one large food plot. Over the past few days we have cleared about 2-3 acres. I'll be posting pics as the project unfolds.

 

[nrh0011]

Thankful for this piece of equipment

 

[mattech]

Nice, keep us updated

 

[Forest Grump]

Liking that dozer with a brush blade in front of the solid one. Burn or rot your big stuff then spread it back out.

But you have some really sandy dirt, so you will need to use techniques to build OM in order to improve your nutrient-holding capacity.

It's always fun to start with a new property & see what you can do with it. Looks like you have an interesting challenge ahead...

 

[nrh0011]

Liking that dozer with a brush blade in front of the solid one. Burn or rot your big stuff then spread it back out.

But you have some really sandy dirt, so you will need to use techniques to build OM in order to improve your nutrient-holding capacity.

It's always fun to start with a new property & see what you can do with it. Looks like you have an interesting challenge ahead...

root rakes are a very efficient tool in helping conserve topsoil. We already have a topsoil pile started that we will spread back out at the end of this clearing process. As far as building back up OM goes I'll be looking to spread chicken litter then most of my plantings will be conservational tillage/no till.

 

[NE GA Pappy]

cheekun litter = many years of weeds and spraying.

 

[T.P.]

Following

 

[Forest Grump]

cheekun litter = many years of weeds and spraying.

The weeds will come from that dozer exposing the dirt; the chicken litter just provides them fertilizer. Chickens nowadays are fed a pelleted ration in the poultry industry, so it doesn't contain the seeds that it used to. Plenty of chemicals available to him to control pasture weeds with just one spraying now too, as long as they aren't cutting hay. Litter adds a little OM & more valuable bacteria to bring that soil back to health & productivity.

 

[southernman13]

That's a nice dozer. Looks like a D6LGP. We have a couple dozers. I love to operate them.

 

[nrh0011]

That's a nice dozer. Looks like a D6LGP. We have a couple dozers. I love to operate them.

You are correct. It's a fun machine to operate.

 

[nrh0011]

After two days we have quite the burn pile on our hands. Time to make a new one.

 

[GAGE]

That does look like fun, but it is still hot as blazes outside.

 

[nrh0011]

That does look like fun, but it is still hot as blazes outside.

Being in a cab with AC makes it bearable.

 

[oppthepop]

Look for arrowheads!!!

 

[deers2ward]

Look for arrowheads!!!

especially after a good rain

 

[Big7]

Bottom plow.
Biggest, deepest one you can pull.

My Dad and Uncle leased out my Grandparents estate about 4-5 years ago. It was a working farm at one time.

Anyhooo... Short version:

It was all grown up even to the point of 6" saplings and anything else you can think of.

The guy that leased it cleared it off, burned some stuff
then pulled a massive bottom plow thru it.
Does just what it's supposed to do. Pull the good dirt back to the top.

Then ran a disc smoothing harrow over it and planted field crop.
Looks as good now as I have ever seen it and man was it a mess.

You have it looking good so far!

 

[nrh0011]

Bottom plow.
Biggest, deepest one you can pull.

My Dad and Uncle leased out my Grandparents estate about 4-5 years ago. It was a working farm at one time.

Anyhooo... Short version:

It was all grown up even to the point of 6" saplings and anything else you can think of.

The guy that leased it cleared it off, burned some stuff
then pulled a massive bottom plow thru it.
Does just what it's supposed to do. Pull the good dirt back to the top.

Then ran a disc smoothing harrow over it and planted field crop.
Looks as good now as I have ever seen it and man was it a mess.

You have it looking good so far!

Thanks! I have a moldboard plow I've been thinking about putting to use once the time comes which will probably be this spring after I get it limed. we are hoping to hit a pretty good lick over the weekend!

 

[nrh0011]

We were down for the better part of the weekend repairing a broken bearing for the twist cylinder on the blade. Still got some clearing done today.

 

[nrh0011]

New bearing and bracket welded in.

 

[nrh0011]

Blade going back on the C Frame.