Do you need a dozer or excavator to clear trees?

Feb. 05, 2024

Excavators and bulldozers are both common and used heavy machinery on construction sites. Whether you are landscaping your yard or building a road, excavators and bulldozers can speed up the building process. But bulldozers and excavators aren't as expensive as other types of heavy machinery, so it's easy to see why many people choose one or the other. To find out which machine is best for clearing your land, let's look at the differences between excavators and bulldozers to determine which is best for the job at hand.

The advantages of a bulldozer

A bulldozer is smaller and has more pushing power than an excavator. You can remove standing trees, push boulders, and other large debris without any problem, without having to lift and turn the vehicle.

And you can use the dozer's blades to remove roots and prevent future weed growth. If you want to pull out a tree, then you can dig under the stump and cut it up. Remember that the blade is usually an additional attachment that you have to buy.

A bulldozer can help you rebuild the terrain. If you want to spread out an area, a bulldozer can do this. In addition, you can create hills, move debris into burn piles and create slopes for running water. In short, bulldozers are an essential part of changing the terrain.

A bulldozer can help you to fill an empty trench quickly. As mentioned above, you can easily push boulders, stakes, dirt, or debris into a sinkhole and finally fill and cover it with dirt. Just spread it out and you're good to go!

The advantages of an excavator

An excavator allows you to sit in one place and manage everything nearby at the same time. You can turn the excavator in any direction without having to reposition the machine, thus saving time and frustration. You can also get the perfect angle thanks to the machine's constantly changing axes.

You can quickly push, pull and transport debris. Use your excavator in the best possible way to clear land quickly. Even if you don't have much experience with excavators, it's easy.

The excavator allows you to dig trenches without any problems. You don't need special attachments - all you need to do is dip the shovel down and pull out the loose dirt and debris. You can create trenches for watercourses, burning stakes, and more. They are perfect for plowing and opening up new sites for young plants.

You can get a stump separator attachment to split the tree into multiple pieces. Dispose of these pieces with a digger shovel or burn them for firewood. These attachments enable you to remove fallen trees and shrubs without taking on the full load.

Which one should you use?

In summary, the task at hand determines which machine you need to use for your job - an excavator or a bulldozer.

If you are clearing land, the best option is to operate a bulldozer. One advantage of using a bulldozer is that they have more power and can move material easily. Bulldozers are the machine of choice for transforming land, leveling areas, or creating slopes.

Use an excavator when you need to dig or can move material easily. The excavator's cab can move 365 degrees, allowing the operator to manage everything from one location without having to move the machine.

To find out more about bulldozers and excavators click on this link.

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farmrn

Posted 1/13/2018 13:07 (#6502098)
Subject: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

Southern IL

purchased a piece of ground with about 18 acres of "brush" to clear out. 18 acres used to be farmed 25 years ago, they quit mowing it a long time ago, so it has everything from briars to 4 inch trees in it. My plan is to disk a firebreak around it and burn it to clear off the grass, then see how bad it is. What would work better a backhoe or a small dozer? I have neither so I figure I would buy one, clear the brush, do some projects around the farm that need done, then I could always re-sell it. Thanks Cross Country

Posted 1/13/2018 13:13 (#6502119 - in reply to #6502098)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

Ottawa, Ontario

Bulldozer over backhoe for sure.

Excavator over bulldozer. Easier cleanup without moving any dirt. And makes pile burning easier too.

Don’t waste your time with a backhoe DobsonAG

Posted 1/13/2018 13:28 (#6502160 - in reply to #6502119)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

Donnellson, IA. Makes saying here easier.

+1 on excavator. Especially with a good thumb. Really speeds up clean up. KLo

Posted 1/13/2018 13:32 (#6502169 - in reply to #6502098)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

Northeast, NE

Northeast, NE

Excavator or track loader would be my go to.


Cliff SEIA

Posted 1/13/2018 13:37 (#6502182 - in reply to #6502098)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

A big tracked skid steer with a tree puller and grapple bucket would be my first choice. sri

Posted 1/13/2018 14:54 (#6502356 - in reply to #6502182)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

nw pa

Cliff SEIA - 1/13/2018 13:37

A big tracked skid steer with a tree puller and grapple bucket would be my first choice.

For brush and four inch trees this would be my vote grainbinder

Posted 1/13/2018 15:52 (#6502492 - in reply to #6502356)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

western WI

You maybe should see if you need a permit to clear the land first? blowsand

Posted 1/13/2018 15:53 (#6502496 - in reply to #6502356)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

mercer county, il

I also concur with cliff
roarintiger1

Posted 1/13/2018 16:03 (#6502518 - in reply to #6502182)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

NW Ohio

Cliff SEIA - 1/13/2018 13:37

A big tracked skid steer with a tree puller and grapple bucket would be my first choice.

Agreed farmer53

Posted 1/13/2018 16:06 (#6502526 - in reply to #6502496)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

NW IL

If it's all small stuff, big skidder with grapple bucket.

It does't take much more then little trees though to wish you had an excavator with thumb. Bigger the trees, bigger the excavator.

Dozers can push dirt or push trees once they are out. You will leave a million roots and a few machinery busting stumps if you push it all out with a dozer.

Edited by farmer53 1/13/2018 16:06

agpreacher

Posted 1/13/2018 18:07 (#6502851 - in reply to #6502098)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

KS

You might check about the permit. There may be a requirement that no soil is removed with the tree removal. Therefore, the excavator or the tree puller on the skid loader would be the best choice. You can still use dozer to pile the trees. cowpower

Posted 1/13/2018 18:13 (#6502865 - in reply to #6502851)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

St-Eugene, Ontario

i think you could likely get a decent used excavator for less than a tracked skid steer wishbone7803

Posted 1/13/2018 19:10 (#6502983 - in reply to #6502182)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

Almond Wisconsin

I have one and couldn’t agree more. kritzy

Posted 1/13/2018 19:13 (#6502990 - in reply to #6502098)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

red river valley se of fargo

Look into renting an excavator. Monthly rental rates are often really reasonable. Tomcat

Posted 1/13/2018 19:32 (#6503050 - in reply to #6502098)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

Ludington/Manistee MI area

Ludington/Manistee MI area

Dealt with ground cleared by dozer and ground cleared with a excavator. The excavator is better hands down. Rkindred41

Posted 1/13/2018 19:45 (#6503088 - in reply to #6503050)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

SCKY

My brother and I are buying a big track loader to clear off a farm we just bought. Everything I've read and saw says that's the best way to go if you can't afford a dozer and a track hoe.

Edited by Rkindred41 1/13/2018 19:53

sand85

Posted 1/13/2018 19:49 (#6503095 - in reply to #6502098)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

C IL

You can yank a lot of 4" stuff out with a mini and thumb. You might be doing it in march when the ground is jello. But you could stack it and pick it back up when the ground was firmer, or burn in place and bury the ashes to decompose.

Briars probably not much fun with rubber tracks. cowpower

Posted 1/13/2018 19:49 (#6503096 - in reply to #6503050)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

St-Eugene, Ontario

Tomcat - 1/13/2018 20:32

Dealt with ground cleared by dozer and ground cleared with a excavator. The excavator is better hands down.

+1000 Jdel

Posted 1/13/2018 20:32 (#6503208 - in reply to #6502098)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

Wheelersburg and Lancaster, Ohio

I've cleared a many acres with bigger trees than that with just loader tractor and bush hog. GT500KR53

Posted 1/13/2018 21:39 (#6503335 - in reply to #6503208)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

nebraska

Track skid steer and tree puller,, they are great and fast

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Hedge Post

Posted 1/13/2018 22:17 (#6503419 - in reply to #6502492)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

Iowa

? Really? Grhog

Posted 1/13/2018 22:58 (#6503475 - in reply to #6503208)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

Se wisc.

Buckthorn here would not pull out with skid steer if it was any size. Deep rooted. Dig most with excavator as some would tip track loader(35000#) on it's nose. thorfarms

Posted 1/13/2018 23:54 (#6503520 - in reply to #6503475)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

Lincoln, North Dakota

Rent a track hoe grainbinder

Posted 1/14/2018 00:40 (#6503545 - in reply to #6503419)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

western WI

Hedge Post - 1/13/2018 22:17

? Really?

Started here in 85......... John Smith

Posted 1/14/2018 05:53 (#6503599 - in reply to #6502098)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

South Central Illinois

The first question should be; "Crown Roots or Tap Roots".
Root structure and soil conditions will determine what tools to use.

After you burn, try bush-hogging the really small brush.
Then clear the trees and pile them.
Those 4" trees with tap roots will just bend over with a bulldozer.
You will want something that can dig.
Dozer with a root cutter, backhoe, excavator.
The trees with a tap root will be the most difficult.
The ones without a tap root would come out with a heavy duty rear blade on a 200hp FWA.
Then, if your ground is level enough, run the bushhog again.

Edited by John Smith 1/14/2018 06:08

cornstalk

Posted 1/14/2018 08:00 (#6503719 - in reply to #6503545)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

Anderson County Kansas

Anderson County Kansas

Only applies if it is classified wetland. cornstalk

Posted 1/14/2018 08:04 (#6503729 - in reply to #6503599)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

Anderson County Kansas

Anderson County Kansas

They won't bend over with a dozer if you corner the blade and get a little dirt. Then use the back of the blade to put the dirt back. I am doing a bunch of hedge and locust that way now. We have pushed thousand of trees out with dozers over the years. John Smith

Posted 1/14/2018 09:01 (#6503880 - in reply to #6503729)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

South Central Illinois

I have very little experience with the 6 way blade.
There is a tool for every job.
With the correct tool things go much faster.

cornstalk

Posted 1/14/2018 09:09 (#6503907 - in reply to #6503880)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

Anderson County Kansas

Anderson County Kansas

I don't have a six way blade. I just tip one side of the dozer down and gouge the tree out, some a lot smaller than 4 inches. You can dig a sprout up like this if you want to. If they get much smaller I use a chain and front end loader and pull them. When they are that small someone needs to pick them up anyway you can't pile and push them with the dozer. gavogel

Posted 1/14/2018 09:19 (#6503933 - in reply to #6503907)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

Marion,ks

We use a D-8H cat for the big stuff , and clean up with a JD 644 loader with digging teeth .I can rake up all the limbs and not get hardly any dirt. Just use the cat for the bigger trees and rough dirt work.  We have been  doing a bunch off dirt work this winter. It really goes a lot faster using both machines. It sounds like just the loader would do your job.

John Smith

Posted 1/14/2018 09:21 (#6503942 - in reply to #6503907)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

South Central Illinois

We have a 4 in 1 bucket.
Great for stacking and carrying, have to move too much soil with tap roots.

cornstalk

Posted 1/14/2018 09:24 (#6503949 - in reply to #6503942)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

Anderson County Kansas

Anderson County Kansas

I wish the ground hadn't froze up here. I bought a farm that I am clearing a bunch of trees out of a pasture getting it ready to farm. When it is dry like this there isn't hardly any dirt left on the roots. It it harder to keep the roots clean enough to burn good if its wetter. Usually a guy can roll the tree and get most of the dirt off. I have never not been able to get the brush pile to burn yet. John Smith

Posted 1/14/2018 09:38 (#6504001 - in reply to #6503949)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

South Central Illinois

I keep getting reports on dry conditions in the Plains.
We are dry in Illinois also.
Forecast shows good rains coming yet this month for all of Illinois.

Big brother

Posted 1/14/2018 10:03 (#6504076 - in reply to #6502098)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

southern ontario

Don’t burn it you’ll burn organic matter to , land may never recover! grainbinder

Posted 1/14/2018 13:10 (#6504502 - in reply to #6503719)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

western WI

cornstalk - 1/14/2018 08:00

Only applies if it is classified wetland.

Nope, not in Wisco! You need a permit before any kind of mass land clearing for agriculture or otherwise, wetland or not. Not sure on the exact acreage, but anything more than a few acres, yes need a permit. basset

Posted 1/14/2018 14:22 (#6504660 - in reply to #6503335)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

the cedar trees will be out in the same amount of time it takes to get that lonesome "leaf" tree...my experience, a skid steer can be used for several other things when you don't want to think about tree removal. too DobsonAG

Posted 1/14/2018 16:33 (#6504952 - in reply to #6502098)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

Donnellson, IA. Makes saying here easier.

Most we run the little hoe with the hydraulic thumb and clean up with a grapple and the tracked skid. We have a tree puller for it too and use it on occasion. Mainly as a fence post puller. Occasionally as others mentioned we need bigger iron and then we get our the old hybrid lol. Good farm sized bigger excavator we rescued from the scrap yard and repowered with a 6b out of a school bus instead of the 3116 that was very tired. Little fab work on swap but a nice old machine that makes projects a lot cheaper. It has mechanical thumb and can pick up any tree and shake dirt free.

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Deere6

Posted 1/14/2018 18:21 (#6505150 - in reply to #6502098)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

Buy a backhoe to do the work and you will find tons of other projects to use it for it. Unlikely you will ever get rid of it, hands down much more useful on a grain farm than anything mentioned above. jrmac

Posted 1/15/2018 14:40 (#6507202 - in reply to #6502098)
Subject: RE: clearing land....backhoe or bulldozer?

NWMO

Have all items at my disposal.. Dozers, Excavator, Backhoe, and Trackloader.
Dozers work but make a mess and get a lot of dirt in burn pile.
Backhoe is a do-all tool that dose everything but nothing well.
Excavators are great remover but slow to pile with.
Trackloader can do a lot quickly with the right attachments.
If you buying something to keep down the road? I think you will find a Trackloader has more usefulness in a lot of on the farm jobs...

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