What Is the Best Way to Clear Brush on a Hillside

Knowing you need to clear brush on a hillside is one thing, but doing it is an entirely different matter. What equipment can you use? Do you need special tools for dense vegetation? Are power tools better than heavy machinery? Fortunately for you, all of these questions have definitive answers.

The Top-Rated Methods

The manual method is reliable. It may be time-consuming, but using hand tools to uproot weeds and clear debris may be your best option in a pinch. With this startegy, you can target individual plants without damaging desirable ones. Moreover, since you work on foot, you do not risk trampling vegetation or leaving deep tire tracks in muddy terrain.

Brush cutting power tools are more efficient and less labor-intensive. You can cut vegetation to a uniform level across an entire hillside for a consistent look. Modern handheld tools are ergonomic and robust, making them effective for medium to large-sized areas.

If you own a tractor, excavator or skid steer loader, equipping specialized brush-cutting attachments is one of the most efficient ways to clear land. While heavy machinery has a high upfront cost and risks soil compaction during operation, it allows you to complete the job quickly, saving you time and enabling you to take on more jobs.

A mower combines the strengths of each method — it is powerful, efficient and effortless. Riding mowers require minimal effort for an optimal result. Remote-controlled models are even better since you can stand hundreds of feet away while clearing brush. Unlike push or self-driving machines, they are user-friendly and precise.

The Honorable Mentions 

Chemical control methods involve specialized herbicides for brush abatement. Spot treatment of regrowth is often necessary. While this approach is practical, it carries environmental risks, including harm to soil, nontargeted plants and wildlife. Even people may be affected if spray drift occurs at or soon after the time of application.

Controlled burns are useful for large, dense areas because the fire burns plant roots, preventing regrowth. As a bonus, the ash from burned vegetation enriches the soil. However, the process requires expertise, permits and extensive planning. Improper execution could result in an uncontrolled fire, especially in hot, arid climates.

Which Equipment Is Ideal for the Job?

Whether your hillside is slightly sloped or has an extreme incline, these four pieces of equipment will help you clear it. Each one has its strengths, but they can all handle rugged terrain and dense vegetation.

1. Remote-Operated Robotic Mower 

The remote-operated robotic mower from RC Mowers lets you clear brush on a hillside or hazardous terrain — including embankments and retention ponds — without setting foot in the work area. You can go from a seven-person crew with weed whackers to one operator and still save time.

Tyler S. of Grass Routes Mowing Service said the mowing robot clears a job that typically takes nine to 12 hours in just 25 minutes. Similarly, Daniel S. of Landscapes USA reported a 92% decrease in labor costs after the first 1,000 hours.

The R series connects at up to 1,000 feet, so you have control as long as it is within your line of sight. The R-52 cuts brush up to 1.5 inches in diameter, has a 52-inch cutting width and can handle a 50-degree incline, so you can cover a lot of ground in little time. All these mowers are proudly Made in the U.S., so the brand offers a 72-hour parts shipping guarantee.

Key Features

• Remote connectivity from up to 1,000 feet away
• Low ground pressure of 2.2 psi for minimal impact
• 30-day buy-back guarantee — love it or your money back
• Low center of gravity and rubber tracks for zero tip-over risk

2. Skid Steer Brush Cutter 

The North American agricultural equipment manufacturer Bush Hog produces everything from finishing mowers to landscape tools in its 500,000-square-foot facility. Its tractor-mounted implements are particularly impressive.

The BCSS series comprises heavy-duty models that have been field-tested and built to last, as the high-tempered steel blades, right-angle gearboxes and balanced stump jumper demonstrate. The cutting widths range from 60 inches to 90 inches, depending on the model. You can choose between multiple offset spindles and single spindle options.

Each unit comes with hoses, couplers and a gearbox guard for a true plug-and-play experience. They ship in heavy-duty wooden crates for added protection. Notably, the brush cutter attachment requires a skid steer with a forestry-rated door and cab.