Vermont plan for clearing 15,000–20,000 sf (≈0.35–0.46 acres) of wooded land for multiple
lots [200 lots total, probably 7-10 at a time per year] for a 3,000 sf single-family homes.
Scope at a glance
Tasks: access & laydown clearing, fell trees, de-limb & buck, brush handling/chipping,
stump removal (“grubbing”), topsoil strip/stockpile, rough grade, haul-off or on-site
processing, basic compaction, temporary erosion controls.
Typical crew approach: 1 large excavator (with thumb) as primary, plus either a dozer or
a skid steer/CTL and (optionally) a forestry mulcher for speed on underbrush.
Core equipment (standard “cut & grub” approach)
20–25 ton excavator with hydraulic thumb; optional root rake or rake bucket
Primary tree/stump remover, piles sorting, loading trucks.
Mid dozer (e.g., CAT D4/D5) or CTL/skid steer (high-flow) with bucket & grapple
Windrowing, pushing slash, rough grading, site cleanup.
12–15" towable chipper
Vibratory roller (7–10 ton) or plate compactor
Potential add-ons (site/rock dependent)
Hydraulic hammer (breaker) for excavator – some ledge in limited instances
Forestry mulcher head (on CTL) or dedicated mulcher
Stump grinder – what is best equipment for this?
Potential Equipment [Provide Rates]
Excavator 20–25 ton (w/ thumb)
Dozer D4–D5
CTL / Skid steer (high-flow)
Grapple / Root-rake attachment
Forestry mulcher head (for CTL)
Dedicated forestry mulcher machine
Hydraulic breaker (excavator)
Towable chipper (12–15")
Stump grinder (large)
Smooth drum roller (7–10 ton)
Plate compactor (jumping jack/plate):
Lowboy delivery/mobilization (per heavy machine)
1. Excavator (20–25 ton, with hydraulic thumb & root rake bucket)
2. Mid-size Dozer (CAT D4/D5 class) or Compact Track Loader (CTL) w/ grapple
3. Chipper (12–15" towable) or Grinder
4. Dump Trucks (tri-axle)
5. Roller (7–10 ton smooth drum)