JimEd
Member
I've got 100+ acres of semi-rocky, woodland, marsh, hayfields and pasture that need thinning out. I want to be very selective as to what is eliminated and what is allowed to remain, so dozing or clear-cutting is not an option. This is my private property and I am not a commercial operation with no need to consider distant transport of the equipment to job sites. We're looking to buy the machines and either keep or downgrade to smaller machines for land maintenance after the job is done. Trees are a mixture of hardwoods (oak, ash, birch) and dense brush and saplings. Trees are generally 12"-18" or smaller and less than 50'.
The equipment would be operated both by myself (with little experience to speak of), but mostly by an experienced operator hired for the job. Renting isn't an option due to the quality of equipment available in my area and hiring out the job (although faster and easily less expensive... unless we sold the equipment after the job), wouldn't be anywhere near as fun or offer the ability to be selective/careful with what gets taken down/out.
So, we're looking at a mulching head on either a high-flow CTL such as the CAT 299XHP or the 120HP ASV OR an 8-ton excavator like the Kubota 80 or 25-ton CAT 320. Either machine would also be useful beyond mulching, especially the 320 as it would be good for clearing large rocks and working around ponds. All brands have local dealers with good support rep (Kubota, ASV/Terex within 10 miles and CAT within 30 miles). It'd be nice to have one of each machine, but if only one, for versatility and speed, what say the experts?
The equipment would be operated both by myself (with little experience to speak of), but mostly by an experienced operator hired for the job. Renting isn't an option due to the quality of equipment available in my area and hiring out the job (although faster and easily less expensive... unless we sold the equipment after the job), wouldn't be anywhere near as fun or offer the ability to be selective/careful with what gets taken down/out.
So, we're looking at a mulching head on either a high-flow CTL such as the CAT 299XHP or the 120HP ASV OR an 8-ton excavator like the Kubota 80 or 25-ton CAT 320. Either machine would also be useful beyond mulching, especially the 320 as it would be good for clearing large rocks and working around ponds. All brands have local dealers with good support rep (Kubota, ASV/Terex within 10 miles and CAT within 30 miles). It'd be nice to have one of each machine, but if only one, for versatility and speed, what say the experts?