Recommended dozer size for farm cleanup (2024)

My wife and I are going to be closing on a 114 acre farm adjacent to our existing property soon that will continue to be cash rented for 3-5 years before we expand our vineyard and orcharding operation.

In the meantime, the renter has asked that we reclaim some of the land that used to be farmed from the 10-15 foot tall cedar trees and brush that has grown up in the past 10 years or so. Additionally, there are a couple places where the terraces have broken down somewhat and water is pooling and could use a little work.

I have always worked with tractors, and don't know much about dozing, but am a huge DIYer whenever possible. I am thinking of buying an old dozer, using it for the year, and reselling it.

1. What size dozer would be sufficient to accomplish this job?
2. Any makes/models you recommend?
3. What are the keys areas to look for when shopping for a used dozer?

Clearly an experienced operator would do a great job, but everybody's got to start somewhere, right? Circled are the areas that need a bit of work.

Comes down to price. Here are some great buys.

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My dad was a gyppo logger. His main iron was a John Deere 1010 with a 6-way blade (along with a Garrett articulated 4x4 "tree-farmer", a JD440 loader and the neighbor's Clysdale horses) . He both logged with it, cut roads and did a lot of land clearing and landscaping. It would be good for clearing out brush and those small trees.

But a better idea might be to hire it done by someone with big hunk of iron to go through, piling up the trees and brush, and roughing in the terraces. Then use a wheeled tractor for the finish work. Would probably get you there cheaper and quicker (and be just about as much fun).

My dozer is a JD 350 with backhoe. It's a landscaping machine vs highway construction. I can tow it without a CDL, fix it without mortgaging the place, and use it for some ag operations like dragging a disc sidehill without risking a wheeled tractor rollover...

Now being 10 years smarter I'd suggest running a mulching mania skidloader to chew up that little stuff & make it look pretty fast. See clearly what ya got then move on to next steps.