I've been looking at options for managing the MF Rose in my 85 acres of timber. I intend to incorporate spraying as the kill method, but I think I will also need to get it mulched eventually. Hiring someone with a Skidsteer and mulcher has been explored, but could be cost prohibited....and I don't mind investing sweat equity (I actually prefer it). I also have a Brush Bull for my 55 horse tractor, that also has a grapple bucket on the front, but navigating through the timber and terrain may be cumbersome. I've been looking at DR mowers and have a slightly used one locally that I may be able to pick up for a reasonable price. Wondering if anyone out there has used one for a similar project?
Anyone using a DR walk behind brush mower for timber management?
I had thought about that, but would need to hire some professionals. I have 25 acres of switch that we manage with fire, but the timber burn may be out of my league. I would be worried about it getting into the switch, or the neighbors....or burning for longer than I can babysit it.
Daver
PMA Member
It's easy-peasy. I have created fire breaks in the timber with a backpack leaf blower and never come close to losing contain. (I have had some trouble, in the past, out in the CRP/grass, FWIW.) For an even better fire break in the timber...can you drive a mower, even a lawn tractor, through the timber? That will create a great fire break in the timber. You will have bare soil and be good to go.
Timber burns, in my experience, are much more easily managed as the fuel is only as high as the leaf pile is deep, as opposed to the height, as in inches, of the grass/brush in a field burn, which often has grass several feet tall. Much lower flame height and slower burning too. Most creek drainages, however small, will stop a timber burn.
Timber burns -
1. Using a leaf blower, and/or mower, create your outline in the leaves. 3' is generally wide enough, but I often go a little wider just because.
2. Obviously, remove all flammable material that is laying on and/or across the border.
3. Walk through the area to be burned and blow the leaves away from any brush piles and standing dead wood that you don't want to burn. I also usually make sure that there isn't a big pile of leaves touching my good trees...as I don't want to burn too hot next to them and "girdle boil" the base of the trunk.
4. Light your fire on the downwind edge and manage it via the blower(s)...when it has crept, I dunno, 10' or so into the wind...you can scoot over the upwind side and light it up.
Bonus - If you do burn in the timber, be sure to check that area for morels at that time too. "Disturbed soil" via fire can spark a nice mushroom growth too.
Wi transplant
PMA Member
I had bought a walk behind brush mower for controlling multi floral rose and other brush and it did not work good on thick patches of mfr! That shit would wrap around axles inside of tires and machine would get all bound up! I sold it after couple trys ! Fwiw
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Timber burns are far easier than grass.... for what its worth
Wi transplant
PMA Member
Gosh idk exactly it was orange I think 12 or 13 hp maybe 30in wide cut
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Wi transplant
PMA Member
You can probably rent one for a day before you spend the cash on one!
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Thinkin Rut
PMA Member
I'm on my 2nd farm with a POS ford 8n. $2500 bought the tractor, mower and disc. It sits outside everyday looking over my property like a Cane Corso! LMAO
These machines are great. Like anything, they have their purpose so if the price is right I’m sure you will find a use.
I will say this. It is a workout and you have to sort of learn your speed without killing your self.
One spot this machine has been helpful is those hard to reach spots where getting ride on equipment to just isn’t feasible or safe. For example, I have a fairly sizable creek that is managable with an ATV but towing anything across is not gonna happen and a tractor is a no go or I would have a bad day. So I wrassled the DR walk behind across and then mowed my trails and beat back some overgrowth. Great finished product and the cold beer after tasted just a bit better.
I will say this. It is a workout and you have to sort of learn your speed without killing your self.
One spot this machine has been helpful is those hard to reach spots where getting ride on equipment to just isn’t feasible or safe. For example, I have a fairly sizable creek that is managable with an ATV but towing anything across is not gonna happen and a tractor is a no go or I would have a bad day. So I wrassled the DR walk behind across and then mowed my trails and beat back some overgrowth. Great finished product and the cold beer after tasted just a bit better.
booneriverbucks
PMA Member
My father in law does.. it seems to work pretty good but seems like a lot of work and is time consuming…. I can’t blame him for doing it tho.. I’d do the same thing to get away from my mother in law.
I would say it is working as expected. My intention was to use it to open up areas that are too choked up with thorns, and to reach areas that I can’t get to with the brush hog and tractor. I’ll go back in with Crossbow to finish them off when the sprout back.
0.25 acres down…75.75 acres to go.
0.25 acres down…75.75 acres to go.