How Much Does Land Clearing Cost with a Bobcat Loader?
Published: December 20, 2024
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Save Money on Land Clearing Projects
Land clearing doesn’t have to be expensive or exhausting. If you’re prepping for a construction, farming, or landscaping project, a Bobcat® compact track loader rental is a great way to tackle the job on a budget. Here’s how you can clear land, cut costs, and get the most out of your rental equipment.
How to Use a Bobcat Loader for Land Clearing
- Clear Trees and Vegetation
Let’s face it: trees, brush, and boulders are a pain to deal with. But a compact track loader paired with the right attachment can handle it.
- Root Grapple: Rips out trees, brush, and rocks with curved teeth designed to grip and haul
- Grapple Bucket: Adds hauling power for bulky materials like logs, branches, and overgrown vegetation
Pro Tip: The grapple bucket is a budget-friendly option if you’re dealing with lots of yard waste or heavy debris.
- Mulch as You Go
You can clear and mulch with just one machine. Swap out the root grapple for the drum mulcher attachment (also known as the forestry cutter) and turn thick trees and overgrowth into mulch.
- Carbide Teeth: Tear through wood quickly
- One-Pass Clearing: Leaves a clean, mulched path behind you
Safety Tip: Drum mulchers are powerful but require careful handling. Check out our forestry safety guides before you start.
- Grind Down Stumps
Clearing land doesn’t stop with trees. You’ve got to deal with stumps too. Renting a stump grinder attachment for your compact track loader gets the job done quickly.
- Front-Mount Design: Easy maneuvering and better visibility
- Tight Spaces: Removes stumps even in hard-to-reach spots
How Much Does Land Clearing Cost?
Cost by Loader Type
But how much does land clearing really cost? Well, it depends on a couple things:
Project Size: Larger projects require more time and fuel.
Equipment Choice: Renting a compact track loader with attachments is often cheaper than hiring contractors or buying new equipment.
Time Frame: Rental rates vary by day, week, or month.
Daily Rentals: Starting at $300* (for the Bobcat T450 or T595)
Weekly Rentals: From $900* to $1,500*
Monthly Rentals: $2,000* to $3,200*
*Prices subject to change. Prices do not include additional fees.
Cost by Project Type
Different projects come with different price tags. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you might expect (based on the size of the project).
- Small Residential Projects (like clearing a backyard):
- Average Cost Range: $500 – $2,000
- Medium Sized Projects (like clearing land for farming or landscaping):
- Average Cost Range: $2,000 – $5,000
- Large-Scale Projects (like prepping construction sites or clearing multiple acres):
- Average Cost Range: $5,000 – $10,000+
- Equipment: Larger compact track loaders (T76, T740, T770) with multiple attachments for hauling, mulching, and grading
Factors That Increase Costs
Some things will drive up the cost of a land clearing job. Here are the most common ones to watch for:
- Tree Density: More trees mean more time, fuel, and attachment use
- Stump Removal: Grinding stumps adds time and rental costs
- Ground Conditions: Uneven, rocky, or muddy terrain can slow progress and cause wear on equipment
- Access Issues: Tight spaces or difficult site access may require smaller equipment, which could take longer to clear the area
- Debris Disposal: Hauling and disposing of vegetation, rocks, and tree limbs can add extra fees
Cost-Saving Tip: Plan ahead. Choose the right attachments for your job. Having the attachments you need right out of the gate can save you a lot.
Cut Costs and Clear More Land
A Bobcat compact track loader makes land clearing simple, efficient, and cost-effective. Whether you’re dealing with trees, brush, stumps, or uneven ground, one machine with the right attachments can handle it all.
Want to save money and get the job done right? Talk to your Bobcat of Houston’s Rental Department today about renting a Bobcat loader with the attachments you need!
