Advice for equipment needed to make food plots

[LET EM GROW]

Anytime! I'm sure you'll be fine. Just take your time. Rent a brush hog or hire someone to cut the brush for you.

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[Dinsdale]

1 hour ago, goosifer said:

 That is brilliant! I watched the video. link to website It appears to do everything I need. Quite affordable, too. With this, the only attachment I would need to rent is the brush mower.

The only question now is can I do it (no experience running a skid steer) and how long will it take to clear and prep 3-1/2 acres.

Thanks for the lead on this, LET EM GROW.

Just realize that machine is shown working in some pretty optimum conditions for a wheel machine.......hard pack, dry , and flat.

I own the same New Holland in the video and have a couple thousand hours on it.

I use my toothed bucket and can do pretty good at cleaning up brush and such without much stripping of soil.

Start with some easier terrain and you'll get the hang of it; watch a couple you- tubes of how to use bucket to get your self un-stuck and that'd be a handy skill. I've had mine in a few spots that it really wasn't designed to go and do OK getting around; if you have a few skills manipulating both drive and bucket controls simultaneously.

[wolc123]

2 hours ago, goosifer said:

 That is brilliant! I watched the video. link to website It appears to do everything I need. Quite affordable, too. With this, the only attachment I would need to rent is the brush mower.

The only question now is can I do it (no experience running a skid steer) and how long will it take to clear and prep 3-1/2 acres.

Thanks for the lead on this, LET EM GROW.

With a skid steer, the size of the NH 170 in the video, you are probably looking at 30 to 40 hours in dry conditions like they had in the video.   Wheeled skid steers are just about useless in wet conditions, so you may have to wait until summer to start.  It would help if you could get the brush mowed when the ground is froze, but this winter don't look too good for that.  It is barely froze now and they are calling for another thaw next week.  Good luck with it.        

[goosifer]

4 hours ago, LET EM GROW said:

2 hours ago, wolc123 said:

With a skid steer, the size of the NH 170 in the video, you are probably looking at 30 to 40 hours in dry conditions like they had in the video.   Wheeled skid steers are just about useless in wet conditions, so you may have to wait until summer to start.  It would help if you could get the brush mowed when the ground is froze, but this winter don't look too good for that.  It is barely froze now and they are calling for another thaw next week.  Good luck with it.        

wolc123, is that time estimate for both brushhogging, and plowing/grading, or just the latter? I need to get the wheels on my skid steer recapped. That should help with traction. BTW, mine is a 2003 Volvo MC80 Skid Steer with 86 h.p. Thanks for your input/advice.

[wolc123]

You may be able to do the whole job in that time with that machine, in dry conditions, if your bushes are under an inch in diameter.  Dry (or frozen) ground conditions are especially important while mowing.   You won't be able to push yourself out when you get stuck with the rented mower, like you could with your bucket up front, even when it has the ratchet rake strapped to it.