Anybody us a mini excavator for brush removal

[Turkey Creek]

Probably going to be undertaking a fairly extensive invasive honey suckle removal project late this year into next. Sure I can just spray and kill it but I really don’t want to be looking at that much dead brush forever. Potentially can run a fire through it, but burn days are few and far between and not sure how well a leaf litter fire will burn up dead standing brush.

Since Honey Suckle is so shallow rooted I have been wondering how a mini excavator would work to grab and rip it out and stack it to later t move it out with a skid steer and grapple bucket to wear I can burn it.

Does anyone think that the mini-excavator can pull the brush like I am talking on an efficient manner?

 

[Brian662]

I think a skid loader would do the job more efficiently but either will work for pulling honeysuckle.
A burn would be a great way to kill the re-sprouts, IMO.

 

[Turkey Creek]

I have a lot of junk trees in the area as well. Thought maybe the excavator would give me the ability to reach between trees where I can’t get a skid steer into without dropping trees.

 

[SwampCat]

How wide is the bucket. I have cleared with an excavator with a 24” bucket and did fine. The reach and bucket width might slow you down.

 

[Whang_Bang]

A tree picker on a skid loader is very efficient for popping out honey suckle but excavators are cooler. Just get one with a thumb and have your fun.

 

[goatman]

My friend has both for his brush removal business and swears by the tree puller on the skid steer. But a mini will be able to do more things.

 

[Howboutthemdawgs]

Mini 10/10 for me on a job like that. I can pluck and place with it