You’ve just acquired a piece of land, and as you stand its edge, gazing out at acres of potential, your mind is likely running through the possibilities. This land could become a thriving farm, a new home, or maybe a new commercial development. Whatever the case may be, before any of those exciting projects can become a reality, you’ve got a big job ahead of you: clearing all that space. However, selecting the best equipment to clear land is no small feat.
We know that finding the right machinery for the job can be daunting, especially if you’re new to clearing land. Below, we’ll break down everything you need to know about equipment for land clearing, from small tools to machines fit for industrial-scale projects.
Understanding Your Land Clearing Equipment Options
Before we dive into specifics, it’s important to note that land clearing is not a one-size-fits-all operation. The best equipment to clear land for your project might not be the same as someone else’s. There are a few key factors that will impact your equipment needs, including:
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The size of the land you need to clear
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Vegetation type, density, and surface area
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Your budget and timeline
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Environmental regulations or considerations
Fortunately, there’s a wide variety of land-clearing tools and equipment on the market to suit projects large and small.
Small-Scale Land Clearing Machinery
If you’re working on a smaller property, dealing with light vegetation, or completing a simple project, you probably don’t need heavy-duty machinery. Instead, you may be able to get the job done with small land-clearing equipment like:
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Brush Cutters – Slash and collect tall grass, weeds, and even small tree saplings with handheld brush cutter tools. Think of them as beefed-up weed whackers.
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Chainsaws – A handy dandy chainsaw is a must-have for any land-clearing project. These tools are versatile enough to cut everything from thin branches to entire trees!
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Compact Tractors – A small tractor is more than enough to clear brush and save you hours of hard work. If you get a compact tractor with attachments like rotary cutters, you can easily remove trees and other obstacles.
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Skid Steers – These nimble machines can help you navigate tight spaces, clear vegetation, and remove unwanted items from your land site.
Top Manufacturers: Small Land-Clearing Machinery
When it comes to smaller pieces of equipment used to clear land, you have plenty of manufacturers and brands to choose from. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most popular options on the market:
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Manufacturer |
Machinery Offered |
Price Range (based on avg. product cost) |
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Compact tractors, cutters, shredders, skid steers, compact track loaders |
$3,000 - $100,000+ |
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Brush cutters, chainsaws, log splitters, hedge trimmers, power tools |
$50 - $2,500+ |
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Compact loaders, small tractors, machinery attachments |
$1,000 - $75,000+ |
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Trimmers, blowers, mowers, protective gear, chainsaws, forestry tools |
$50 - $1,500+ |
Of course, this list is just a sample – check out Purple Wave’s current selection to see more equipment from top manufacturers.
Large Industrial Equipment for Land Clearing
For heavy-duty projects, you need heavy-duty support. Large areas of land or areas with dense vegetation and lots of mature trees require bigger, sometimes even industrial-scale, machinery.
Here are some examples of the best equipment for clearing land that spans large areas:
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Excavators – Even the sturdiest trees are no match for the long reach and powerful hydraulics of an excavator. These bad boys can uproot trees, move large amounts of dirt and debris, and dig out stumps without a hassle.
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Backhoes & Industrial Tractors – Push over trees, remove brush, and level large sections of land in one go with a backhoe loader or industrial-size tractor. These are particularly helpful pieces of equipment for land clearing that needs to happen quickly.
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Forestry Mulchers – Once you’ve removed or cut down trees on your land, you’ll have to find a way to move or repurpose all that wood! These specialized machines can clear vegetation and mulch material from small to medium-sized trees. All that’s left behind is a layer of organic matter that helps prevent erosion of your flat, smooth land.
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Feller Bunchers – For large-scale land clearing and forestry projects, feller bunchers are all but essential. These machines can cut and gather multiple trees simultaneously, making them a great choice for efficiently clearing wooded areas.
Top Manufacturers: Large Land-Clearing Machinery
Look no further than some of these leaders in heavy equipment and industrial machinery for products that won’t let you down.
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Manufacturer |
Machinery Offered |
Price Range (based on avg. product cost) |
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Dozers, excavators, loaders, backhoes, industrial construction vehicles |
$25,000 - $2,000,000+ |
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Harvesters, excavators, dozers, log loaders |
$30,000 - $2,500,000+ |
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Excavators, backhoe loaders, feller bunchers, harvesters, accessories |
$20,000 - $1,800,000+ |
Generally speaking, larger machinery comes with a higher price tag. Check out our excavator cost guide for some examples of specific models and their varying prices.
Specialized Tools for Brush and Small Tree Removal
Sometimes, you need a tool that’s designed specifically for a certain type of vegetation. And when you’re clearing land, it’s likely that brush and young will be the primary vegetation you’ll encounter.
Here’s a quick look at some of the best equipment to clear brush and small trees:
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Stump Grinders & Chippers – Once trees have been cut down, use a stump grinder or wood chipper to break down the remaining stumps and process the material.
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Skidders, Yarders & Loaders – Haul logs, felled timber, and other large debris with a skidder or a large-scale loader.
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Machinery Attachments – Specialized attachments like root rakes, which make it easy to remove roots without disrupting topsoil, and brush grubbers, which can pull out vegetation, are some of the best tools to use here.
Renting vs. Buying: Making the Right Decision
Now that we’ve covered some of the best equipment to clear land in different scenarios, let's talk about how to choose the right tools for your specific project. Below are some of the most important factors to consider as you shop for a rental, used, or new piece of machinery.
Renting
If you only need to have access to equipment for specific jobs or parts of your land-clearing project, you might find that renting is a better option.
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Renting Land-Clearing Equipment |
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PROS
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CONS
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With a rental, you can skip the hassle of upkeep and get access to the exact machinery you need for specific jobs.
Buying
When you’re on the hunt for equipment needed to clear land for long-term projects, buying is usually the best option.
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Buying Land-Clearing Equipment |
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PROS
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CONS
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When you can’t risk not having access to machines or want something that you can customize to your liking, you can’t go wrong with buying a new or used piece of equipment.
Here at Purple Wave Auction, we have even seen folks buy equipment for a one-time project and then sell it through our auctions once they're done. This can be a good way to recoup some of your investment if you decide to buy.
Safety Considerations for Land Clearing Operations
Before we wrap up, let’s talk safety. Land clearing can be dangerous work, especially when you work with heavy machinery. Here are a few vital safety tips that can help you work efficiently and protect yourself on the job:
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Always wear personal protective equipment (PPE). Even if you’re working on your own property, wearing PPE is essential. This includes things like hard hats, safety glasses, and steel-toed boots.
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Conduct a site survey before working. Make sure you’ve thoroughly assessed the area you’ll be clearing before you start working so you can identify potential hazards early.
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Maintain all equipment. Routine maintenance is crucial for the safe operation of land-clearing machinery.
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Be aware of your surroundings. Particularly when using a loud, large piece of equipment, it’s easy to lose touch with what’s going on around you. Stay alert to keep yourself and others safe as you work.
Remember, no project or task is worth risking your safety or the safety of others. Take the time to do things right, and stay safe out there!
Final Thoughts
We hope this breakdown of the best equipment to clear land–from small brush cutters to industrial-scale tractors and dozers–helps you find the right tools for your next project.
No matter what kind of equipment you need, you can count on us at Purple Wave Auction to help you find options from top manufacturers, all from the comfort of your own home. The highest bidder wins each auction regardless of the item’s final price, which means you can always find the most sought-after models on the market at, most importantly, fair market value.
Here’s how it works:
1. Register Your Account
Get started by registering your account with Purple Wave, which will allow you to browse current inventory and start bidding. You can also create watchlists and visit past sales prices to get a feel for what to expect.
2. Browse Heavy Equipment Auction Listings
Ready to get started? Check out our current selection to see what’s new, and stay posted for even more equipment to come! Explore our extensive listings of heavy equipment, including:
Brush Cutters & Mulchers For Sale
Whether you’re looking for land-clearing machinery or other types of construction equipment, you’ll find it all here.
3. Place Your Bids
Found something you’re interested in? Place your bid within minutes and check back to adjust as needed.
4. Complete the Sale
If your bid is the highest when the auction concludes, congratulations! You’re now the proud owner of a new piece of equipment. You can then either organize your own transportation, or contact Bob at Purple Wave Shipping and his team will handle the logistics from there.
Other Articles You Might Be Interested In:
9 Types of Excavators and What They Do
The Ultimate Guide to Bulldozer Sizes