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Crawlers, Dozers, Loaders & Backhoes Discussion Forum

which dozer for land clearing?

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rlee6

11-05-2004 12:30:54




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I need to clear about 10 acres of old pasture, sandy, flat, covered with 4-5 feet tall palmetto palms (native in Florida). Hertz Equipment Rental has several dozers: JD 450G (70 hp, $1000/wk), JD 450G-LPG (70hp, $1100/wk), JD 550G-LPG (80hp, $1200/wk), JG650G-LPG (90hp, $1300/wk), JD750G-LPG (140hp, $810/day, $2500/wk). Apparently, -LPG are wide track. Does not include delivery, insurance, etc.

1) Which dozer do you recommend?
2) Is one easier than the others to run? I have never operated a dozer before.
3) What is the advantage of wide track?

Many thanks for your help.

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brian 1

11-10-2004 14:15:08




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 Re: which dozer for land clearing? in reply to rlee6, 11-05-2004 12:30:54  
You may need the same type of machine twice- once to push them out and pile, a second time to push piles together when you burn. I don't know for sure what roots are like on 4-5' palms in sandy soil but a 450 shouldn't even breathe hard.



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Seann

11-05-2004 15:48:24




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 Re: which dozer for land clearing? in reply to rlee6, 11-05-2004 12:30:54  
Since your trees are so small, the smallest dozer should be more than enough. I have an 80 hp machine (loader) and I've pushed over big oaks roughly 40" in diameter at their base. A bunch of little trees like that, you'll just flatten 'em in no time.

I'd give some careful thought to paying the extra hundred for LGP (Low Ground Pressure) though. These machines dont sink into the ground as much as the standard width tracks. If you have sandy and/or somewhat wet/soft soils where you are (as much of FLA does), then an LGP machine would be a better bet. I live in an area where there are soft soils and I've gotten my loader stuck four times so far, and it aint fun getting something that big and heavy bogged down in the mud. And if you cant get it out, then you'll have to call in another piece of heavy equipment to get you out, which will cost you big dollars (and cost you time on your job). Plus, if you're inexperienced, then you're much more likely to get the machine stuck when compared to an experienced professional. So all in all, unless you have really solid, well drained soils, then I would probably just pay the extra hundred and get the LGP. I'm sure there's a reason why they have all those LGP's available for rent...it's probably because that's frequently what's needed to get the job efficiently done where you are.

Good luck

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David-N-GA

11-12-2004 08:34:42




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 Re: which dozer for land clearing? in reply to Seann, 11-05-2004 15:48:24  
I'd just like to add, that land that appears to not be "too" boggy, will turn to jello a lot of times in a hurry when you have a several ton piece of equipment moving around on it. Also, you probably for sure would want to get a dozer with a root rake on the blade so you don't end up with huge piles of palmetto palms with mostly dirt in them which you'd likely have with just a blade since you've never driven a dozer. I would think that if you are going to be on the dozer every day from daylight to dark, you should get the 10 acres cleared with time left over. One other thing that I've found in my limited dozer work. Don't push into what you are clearing, but instead, push little "bites" out into the area you've already cleared. That way you can see better what has been uprooted and stuff seems to push better over previously cleared land. Just my two cents worth...lol

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DGH

11-05-2004 13:14:02




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 Re: which dozer for land clearing? in reply to rlee6, 11-05-2004 12:30:54  
The 450G will do just fine. I have an older 450C and 12" trees 50 ft high are not a problem. If you can stand on the ground with out sinking in you don't need the LGP dozer!



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Bullwhacker

11-09-2004 14:02:35




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 Re: which dozer for land clearing? in reply to DGH, 11-05-2004 13:14:02  
Just a little advice. If you have not run a dozer before, you might be better off to hire someone to do the job. The cost you will incure because of wasted time and lack of experience will cost you lots.



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rlee6

11-09-2004 19:38:22




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 Re: which dozer for land clearing? in reply to Bullwhacker, 11-09-2004 14:02:35  
Thank you for bringing up the issue of operator skill (lack of skill in this case). I am clearing a former pasture, now covered with vegetation about 4' - 5' tall palmetto palms native in Florida. The land is perfectly flat. Sandy. No rocks or large trees.

Will I waste days on learning controls? Is it more than just keeping the blade (with root rake) level with the ground and pushing it all the way? Must I constantly adjust blade level, angle, speed, direction?

I can hire a pro who charges $600 per acre. This is on the low side. 10 acres will cost me $6,000, and 20 acres of clearing $12,000. With a little bit of exaggeration, it is almost the price of the land.

Will experienced operators kindly give me a realistic picture? Thanks.

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rlee6

11-07-2004 15:39:21




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 Thank you. in reply to DGH, 11-05-2004 13:14:02  
Thank you both for your advice.



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