If you’re a contractor or landscaper, then you know that no two job sites are exactly the same. Building a house or garden on a clear and level lot is much easier than doing the same thing in a wooded area with brush so thick you can’t see a few feet ahead of you.
You know that before you can break ground, the site needs to be cleared. But you may be wondering, “What equipment is needed to clear wooded land? How can I remove all the rocks, roots and trees to create a safe work site without destroying the budget?”
The first step is understanding what type of equipment will help you get to work faster and have the versatility to be used for other tasks. In this article you’ll explore the best equipment to clear land and get additional resources to help you make the best equipment rental decisions.
Why Clearing Brush and Small Trees Matters
When a construction site is not properly cleared of brush and small trees, it can lead to problems in the short-, medium- and long-term.
The most immediate problem is the lack of space. You won’t have enough room to safely get your equipment to the site, and trying to work around forested areas can quickly become a safety hazard.
As your project gets going, you’ll likely run into roots, rocks, uneven ground, and other obstacles. With each obstacle, you’ll have to stop work to clear the way, costing you valuable time and effort.
Additionally, not preparing the land early can result in problems long after you leave the site. Earth that isn’t leveled properly will result in poor foundations, draining issues and landscaping challenges. Additionally, weeds and invasive plants that weren’t completely removed will reemerge, causing headaches for clients.
What You Need to Consider About Clearing Land Before You Start
Untamed project sites can be a unique challenge to contractors. You’ll need the right equipment to get the job done quickly and safely. Here are the things you need to consider before you rent land clearing equipment or earthmoving equipment:
- Size of the Project Site: For smaller sites, you will need smaller, more maneuverable equipment that can handle a wide range of tasks. For a larger jobsite, you want to look for powerful equipment that can get a lot done quickly.
- Type of Vegetation: Large, woody plants like saplings and trees require very different equipment than undergrowth like shrubs do. There may also be endangered plant species, invasive plants or toxic plants that require special care.
- Legal and Regulatory Compliance Requirements Considerations: Depending on the location, there may be regulations to protect the natural landscape and nearby neighborhoods. These regulations may dictate the type of fuel you can use, how much noise you can make, machinery weight and waste disposal. Understanding these limitations beforehand will save you time and money.
- Project Goals and Land Use Planning: Consider the project goals and the goals for how the land will be used. Is there equipment you can rent for land clearing that can also be used for other tasks? Looking for opportunities to combine tasks will save you from having to secure more equipment than you need to.
- Waste Management and Disposal: Make a plan for how to use the debris from the land clearing. Chopped up vegetation can be turned into mulch, while rocks can be reused in the landscaping or removed entirely. Soil may need to be removed, added or leveled correctly.
5 Best Types of Land Clearing Equipment to Rent
Once you have a plan for the site, it’s time to select the best earthmoving and land clearing equipment. The list below describes common equipment that contractors for small projects can rent to help them streamline their operations and get the job done efficiently and safely.
Rental Reminder: Bundling multiple pieces of equipment or projects can often result in more favorable, cost-effective rental agreement terms.
1. Skid Steers and Compact Track Loaders
Skid steers and compact track loaders are useful for clearing land due to their versatility and adaptability. Their small size and high maneuverability make them ideal for any project with limited space or availability.
Additionally, skid steers use a wide variety of attachments to tackle each job. These attachments can be changed fairly quickly and easily, saving you valuable time. For example, you can use grapple buckets for moving, mulchers for underbrush and rakes for soil conditioning.
- Learn More: A Complete Skid Steer Rental Guide
2. Excavators
Whether you’re using a standard excavator for a large job site or a mini excavator for a smaller one, they offer a lot of options for clearing land quickly. And because they use tracks, excavators are great for navigating uneven terrain.
Their standard attachment is a bucket. This bucket has teeth, making it the go-to option for digging roots or scooping soil. In addition to buckets, excavators can also use shears and grapples to cut trees and move logs.
Their versatility means you can reuse the excavator for many other tasks, like digging foundations.
3. Dozers
Bulldozers, also known simply as dozers, are useful in a variety of ways. They are often one of the first things contractors turn to for earthmoving and land clearing tasks because of their strength. Dozers are perfect for knocking over trees, removing undergrowth and pushing other obstacles out of the way. Plus, they can be used to level the ground once the debris is moved away.
When choosing a dozer, select the type most suitable for the site’s size and terrain. For example, mini dozers work best in residential or small spaces, while crawlers are best for uneven ground or hillsides. Then make sure you choose the right blade attachment for the task.
- Learn More: What Is the Best Bulldozer Type for My Project?
4. Chippers and Mulchers
Chippers and mulchers, or mulcher attachments, can make land clearing go smoother and improve the site afterwards. They chop vegetation into a fine mulch that is easy to handle and beneficial to the soil.
Breaking debris down into chips and mulch makes waste removal and hauling much easier than moving large logs. In some cases, you may be able to open a new stream of revenue by selling the mulch, or you could repurpose it for other elements of a landscaping project.
You can rent standalone, towable chippers or mulching attachments for use with a skid steer.
5. Tractors and Backhoes
Last, but not least, are tractors and backhoes. Tractors have a front loader and the ability to add more equipment and attachments. They allow you to move rocks, trees, brush and other debris, including snow.
One of the main strengths of backhoes are their ability to dig and pull. They have a front loader on one side and a bucket scoop on the other. This means they can handle a wide range of tasks that would often take two pieces of machinery to do.
- Learn More: The Complete Backhoe Rental Guide
Gear Up and Clear Out: Rent Land Clearing Equipment from Herc Rentals
You just learned how a wide variety of earthmoving machines and land clearing equipment are essential for any construction project. Using the right equipment to clear land is the best way to prepare your site for maximum efficiency and safety.
When it’s time to tame an overgrown or unruly site, turn to Herc Rentals. Our experts will help you select the best earthmoving and land clearing equipment for the site and your goals. With our top-quality earthmoving solutions, your teams will be equipped to be more versatile and productive.
From excavators to dozers, and every attachment in between, we have the premium solutions you’re looking for. Explore our fleet of earthmoving and land clearing equipment today or call 888-777-2700 to get started.
