Leaf Removal Ideas

[D&D Farm]

The problem: We have several acres of pasture that are on a 18 to 25 degree slope. Have worked several years, fighting the drought, to get fescue/bermuda to get established in order to graze our registered Boer herd. The problem is that this area has several stands of trees that shed leaves (oak, hickory, gum,poplar) and is totally surrounded by the same heavy old growth forest. This time of year, after reseeding fescue, the leaves of course fall and need removal to expose the grass over the winter to encourage growth and establishment.............</P>


I have at my disposal:</P>


Iseki TL2300 with bush hog
Lawn tractor with mowing deck
Heavy duty back pack blower
Kubota RTV</P>


The tractor, frankly is just toooo spooky to take the slopes on. The last time it skidded half way down the hill and was stopped at the last moment by lowering the bucket I swore I would never take it into this pasture again. </P>


The lawn tractor will do the job but is fairly "tippy" across the slopes, inadequate braking going down the hill, and going up the ag tires tear up the fragile soil that I am working so hard to build up.</P>


The blower works just fine; but is super labor intensive. Maybe 20 or so hours to clear the acreage. Disposal is not a problem as I just blow them into the surrounding forested areas. Yes, they become mountains as you move them and then place them where you want them.</P>


The RTV is great for going across the slopes as I apply fert/herb, and of course up and down the hills is not a problem either. Traction is great so soil damage is minimal. NO Accesories to mulch or blow with.</P>


Money is tight here so using what I have would be nice, or a low cost something to use behind the RTV is a stong possibility.</P>


An ideas or comments would be great. Thanks.........God Bless.....Dennis</P>

 

[bczoom]

Dennis,

A picture is worth a thousand words, anyway, here's what's coming to mind.

Get a 12x20' (or so) tarp and use that as a leaf drag behind the RTV.
What I've found that makes using the blower slow is moving big piles. Instead of blowing them into the woods, once I have a decent pile started, I'd blow them onto a tarp.

Let's see if I can describe what I'm thinking of.

Take a large tarp. For my example, I'll say 12x20'. I'd use plastic, not canvas.

Using (2) 12' 2x4's, lag bolt a 2x4 (through the grommets) on each end of the tarp so you have a 2x4 attached to each of the 12' sides of the tarp.
On one end of the tarp (that has the 2x4), put some eye-bolts or similar into the 2x4 about 3' in from each side. To this, you attach a rope that will go around the ball on the back of the RTV.

You lay this tarp out in an area to which you're going to blow the leaves. Blow the leaves onto the tarp. (The 2x4 on the other side opposite the RTV is to keep the tarp from blowing up).

Once you have a decent load on the tarp, hop on the RTV and drag the tarp to the destination. KIck, blow, tilt... however the leaves off the tarp.

A couple notes:
If your leaves are wet/heavy, you may need to sandwich the tarp between 2 2x4's on the side that attaches to the RTV and pinch the entire 12' of tarp. This will give you a full pinch across the 12' instead of at the grommet holes only. If grommets only and the load is heavy, it may just rip the grommets out of the tarp.

You may need to weight down the 20' sides when blowing the leaves. It depends on your approach angle with the blower as to whether or not the side of the tarp would get lifted.

 

[D&D Farm]

Hey BC........that's a great idea..............am following a "trail mower" on ebay and will follow that thought; but YOUR idea is great...............seems the hard part is moving the "mountain" of leaves as it grows and grows..................typically I go down hill in a 100' or so swath.........after 50 or so feet of this the leaf mountain is substantial........................YES, it would be very easy to get LOTS onto a tarp and then move this in a very short time.....................We have to video and produce a wedding today and tomorrow; but will be able to put this method to the test on Monday............Thanks.........Dennis

 

[bordercollie]

Hi, Yes indeed that tarp is a good idea and cost next to nothing!! We have a Kubota ZD28 60"cutand I mulch our leaves in a few passesand add organic matter to the yard at the same time. It is so fast that I can finish the yard in a fraction of the time it took to mow with the old"green'"42" lawn mower.Bordercollie[&]