House Pad Clearing

[175gr7.62]

When the weather cools off I am going to start getting serious about prepping our new home site. I have intentionally selected the location due to the flatness of the ground as I am a cheapo and and want to minimize the amount of dirt work I have to do. That being said, there are quite a few trees that are going to need to be removed....mainly pine trees (up to 20-24") and sweet gums.

What is going to be my cheapest way to get rid of the trees/stumps? I could cut them down and grind the stumps but I'm worried there will still be organic material in the locations that will break down over the years. I could also push them over and then back fill the sump holes. The largest dozer I have access to is a JD 450.

The pad is going to end up sitting for about a year before I put forms up. Like I said, I'm cheap and I would rather spend 5-6 weekends doing it myself than paying someone several thousand dollars to do it. I have a 55hp tractor with grapple for doing all the clean up.

[Chew]

In for responses.

[Trevor73402]

Use your dozer where you can, but rent an excavator w/ a thumb as well. A decent sized excavator will make short work of the trees, stumps and all. Go back over it all with your dozer, smoothing and filling in. Rent the excavator for the month, it’ll be cheaper that way. I’m an equipment guy, not a chainsaw guy so my opinion may be a bit biased.

[bloodtrailer28]

What Trevor said. You don't want any kinda stumps or leftovers under the slab. Get the stumps up and backfill the holes just makes sure its packed in good.

[M16]

Good advice above.

Flat land is nice but it’s hard to drain. You save money on the slab but loose it back getting your yard to drain. I’m glad I bought a three yard scraper and was able to use my own fill dirt. It paid for itself and saved me thousands by not buying trucked in fill.