Mechanical Brush Cutting

 

 

 

In 2004, after three weeks after spraying a utility site, Dave Fisher was approached by a local homeowner who commented that 20 foot + dead vegetation on the site looked terrible. During this conversation, Dave Fisher recognized a need for an effective brush cutting tool to knock down tall and thick brush prior to applying herbicides. At that point, different methods of vegetation management were researched to compliment VegTech’s herbicide program. After researching several brushing machines and consulting with several different utility line managers, VegTech purchased its first Fecon mowing head to compliment its herbicide program.

 

The goal of VegTech’s mechanical brush cutting program is to reduce vegetation to a height and size that is easily manageable by our herbicide program. If the mow sites are properly maintained with herbicide applications, these sites should not have to be mowed again.

We typically try to apply herbicides within a year after brush cutting in order to prevent the new regrowth from ever gaining a strong presence on the site. This makes our mechanical brush cutting program ideal for lot clearing/development, forest clearing/thinning, railroad and utility right-of-way management.

Mechanical brush cutting is typically 50-75% cheaper than hand-cutting and trimming, making it a very costeffective and efficient alternative to hand clearing. Many people such as local homeowners and the general public have commented that they appreciate us knocking the tall brush down prior to applying herbicides because it results in a more attractive vegetation management sight, as it all but eliminates visible brownout when it comes time to apply herbicides.

Utility Brush Cutting

VegTech’s Mechanical Brush Cutting Program is a very efficient option for vegetation management on right-of-ways. Our equipment is capable of and personnel are experienced in removing brush and relatively large trees in order to clean out right-of-ways. We pride ourselves on completing our mow sites in such a manner that there are no trees, branches, or debris scattered throughout the site. It is important to us to ensure that our mow sites are drivable so that the utility companies can easily access all parts of their system. This also allows us to easily access all parts of the right-of-way to apply herbicides to maintain control of the vegetation on these sites.

General Brush Clearing

VegTech’s Mechanical Brush Cutting equipment is setup in such a way that it is extremely mobile and agile. This makes it an excellent option for clearing out and thinning forest sites, particularly removing invasive species such as honeysuckle. Honeysuckle is currently the #1 most invasive species in Ohio, and prevents the re-establishment of desirable species. For these reasons, it is important that honeysuckle and other invasive species be controlled an eradicated. Our brushing equipment is capable of removing invasive and noxious vegetation without disturbing or harming desirable species. Our Fecon mower head mulches up the brush onsite, reducing it to small chips. These chips will then decompose and provide nutrients in the soil for the remaining desirable vegetation.

VegTech’s Mechanical Brush Cutting Program is also ideal for clearing lots for new construction and development. Our brushing machine allows vegetation to be mulched up on site and eliminates the need to have trees hauled away to landfills. Our equipment is capable of removing all but the lowest part of the stumps and roots, which may need to be grubbed.