Cese5
New Member
So I have a few projects going on, here's the background: I'm thinning out about 4 acres, doing some drainage and leveling requiring about 8 yards of topsoil all over the property and re-graveling a driveway w/ an estimated 20 yards of gravel.
The thinning is the removal of sixty or so trees and stumps. Most of then are holly (which I didn't know was a tree) and the rest a variety of hardwood, none bigger than 12" in diameter and in VERY sandy conditions (I've pulled some of the 5-6" out with my truck after axing a major root or two). Seriously, the deepest tap root I've come across is two feet. It is a moderately heavily wooded area on a 10-15 degree slope so mobility is certainly a consideration.
So..given the situation I was thinking one of two equipment rental options and musing about a third:
1) A mid sized backhoe, maybe a Cat 416 or 420, 4WD to take care of the distribution/leveling of topsoil and gravel and pull the stumps (please don't get off on a dozer or excavator rant, trust me, it's not that kind of job).
2) A skid steer with 4 in 1 and a stump grinder attachment and grind instead of pull. Greater mobility for sure but a lot more trips across the property and up and down the drive...
3) I've never operated a mini backhoe, I'm wondering if that might not be an option of if they are strictly light digging.
Thoughts/advice?
The thinning is the removal of sixty or so trees and stumps. Most of then are holly (which I didn't know was a tree) and the rest a variety of hardwood, none bigger than 12" in diameter and in VERY sandy conditions (I've pulled some of the 5-6" out with my truck after axing a major root or two). Seriously, the deepest tap root I've come across is two feet. It is a moderately heavily wooded area on a 10-15 degree slope so mobility is certainly a consideration.
So..given the situation I was thinking one of two equipment rental options and musing about a third:
1) A mid sized backhoe, maybe a Cat 416 or 420, 4WD to take care of the distribution/leveling of topsoil and gravel and pull the stumps (please don't get off on a dozer or excavator rant, trust me, it's not that kind of job).
2) A skid steer with 4 in 1 and a stump grinder attachment and grind instead of pull. Greater mobility for sure but a lot more trips across the property and up and down the drive...
3) I've never operated a mini backhoe, I'm wondering if that might not be an option of if they are strictly light digging.
Thoughts/advice?