Equipment for Land Management

Land management is an important responsibility. To manage land sustainably, you need the right equipment designed to efficiently and effectively clear lots, remove brush, prepare sites for planting and even manage natural climate events like fires and other disasters. 

In addition to the right compact equipment or heavy equipment for the job, you also need an array of work tools. Universally compatible attachments easily turn any loader, excavator or tractor into a multi-purpose machine that is ready to tackle a variety of applications. For cost-effective, high-performing land management equipment and work tools, contractors turn to the flexibility of renting from reputable providers like The Cat® Rental Store.

Jump to a section:

• Loaders
• Dozers
• Site Prep Tractors
• Excavators
• Top Attachments for Land Management
• Land Management Equipment Applications

Top Heavy Equipment for Land Management

Land management is tough work with contractors and property owners combatting unforgiving undergrowth, stubborn stumps and resilient brush. Land management consists of a variety of jobs from land clearing to soil preparation to debris removal and more, and it requires reliable, versatile equipment to face the unexpected.

When choosing the ideal heavy equipment for your next land management job, there are a few key considerations to account for. First, factor in the type of terrain, which will guide you in choosing between machines with tracks or wheels. Next, think about any space constraints you may be facing to help determine whether a compact, medium or large size machine might be best. One of our helpful dealers can help you pick the right type and size of land management solution for you.

Below are four types of land management equipment that may benefit your next project:

1. Loaders

A variety of loader models can be useful in various land management applications. Loaders come with a range of capacities, features and more. Compact loaders tend to be a land management favorite given their speed, efficiency and versatility. Here are some of the popular loader types used in land management:

• Skid steer loaders: Skid steer loaders are wheeled loaders compatible with dozens of different work tools for vegetation management. For their size, skid steers are remarkably durable and can take on rugged conditions if the terrain remains solid and not muddy.
• Compact track loaders: Cat land management compact track loaders are designed to operate on rugged, uneven terrain while tackling a range of land management tasks. From mowing and brushcutting to mulching and stump grinding, rely on a compact track loader for all-purpose land maintenance needs.
• Multi-terrain loaders: Like skid steer loaders and compact track loaders, Cat multi-terrain loaders are compatible with diverse land management work tools. Multi-terrain loaders are designed with the ideal undercarriage for operating when you need extremely low ground pressure, as the machine floats over delicate soil.

The three loader models range in horsepower from 61 to 110 horsepower, all while offering excellent fuel economy to meet the demands of long workdays.

2. Dozers

No land management heavy equipment fleet is complete without a dozer. Designed for rugged, uneven terrain, dozers climb their way over land, pushing, leveling and grading areas for agriculture, development or basic maintenance. The line of Cat dozers ranges from small to large capacity machines, offering you flexibility in land management equipment rentals.

Here are some of the options Caterpillar provides in land management dozers:

• Small dozers: Small dozers are fast and efficient, ideally suited for tight lots where you can maneuver with better precision. The smallest Cat dozer models include the D4 and D5, with 80 and 96 horsepower, respectively. They’re perfect for finishing grading work over more rugged tasks, like stump pushing.
• Medium dozers: To strike a balance between size and efficiency, choose Cat medium track-type dozers. The Cat D6 and D7 models are the mid-range dozers with 215 and 235 horsepower, respectively. Their bigger size makes them capable of stump removal and timber clearing, giving them the edge over smaller models.
• Large dozers: The largest Cat dozer models, the D8 and D9, offer 305 and 436 horsepower, respectively. Call upon these heavy-duty options when you’re pushing lots of material far distances. Because of their size, they can handle bigger jobs faster, requiring fewer passes with their blade.

Choosing the right size dozer for the job is crucial to hitting the sweet spot of productivity versus cost. Always consult your local dealer for advice on choosing the right size dozer for your land management project.

3. Site Prep Tractors

Site preparation is a crucial initial process in all agricultural development, reforestation or land restoration projects. Using a site prep tractor specifically designed to tackle this task saves you time and money. With a site prep tractor, you can quickly cut away thick brush, clearing the land for soil preparation to grow productive, healthy vegetation. Attach a mulcher work tool to your site prep tractor, and you can chew up shrub and plant undergrowth quickly, leaving a smooth, clear finish prepped for the next steps.

Some of the benefits of the Cat site prep tractor include:

• Works quickly to turn around tight project deadlines
• Offers unparalleled versatility with a range of compatible forestry attachments
• Supports environmentally sustainable land management practices by mulching cleared brush
• Provides stability and agility throughout woodlands or dense overgrowth

The Cat 586C site prep tractor is a 350-horsepower heavy-duty land management machine. Its oversized hydraulic power system means it can run all the high-powered attachments you need for land management, including the HM825 mulcher and the BR624 brushcutter work tools.

4. Excavators

Excavators are the ideal land management equipment solution for applications like land reclamation and restoration or natural disaster management, such as flood clearing and forest firefighting recovery.

Their combined ability to glide over rugged terrain and operate within a compact radius makes them versatile for all land management works. With four sizes to choose from and dozens of work tools, Cat excavators provide you plenty of options. 

Below are the four types of Cat excavators to choose from:

• Mini excavators: For property owners or small-project contractors, the mini hydraulic excavator is a convenient, easy-to-transport land management machine. For those in need of high performance in a compact package, the mini excavator is the perfect solution.
• Small excavators: For economical performance, choose a Cat small excavator. Cat small excavators are able to operate in tight spaces without sacrificing performance and maximize productivity while keeping operating costs at a minimum.
• Medium excavators: Cat medium excavators provide land management contractors with ample power, high performance and unmatched productivity. Finish land clearing projects faster with the broad range of Cat medium excavators available for rent.
• Large excavators: For big projects, don’t compromise — choose Cat large excavators for the job. Known for their power, speed and fuel efficiency, Cat large excavator models rise to the occasion for all large-scale land management projects.

When choosing the right excavator model for your land management needs, consult The Cat Rental Store dealer near you. Choose the right size model for the job and optimize your productivity.

Top Attachments for Land Management

In addition to choosing the right machine, model and size of equipment for the job, you also need to consider the suite of work tools necessary for the project. Caterpillar offers an impressive line of dozens of work tools, each designed to tackle a precise job. When it comes to land management, there’s no shortage of tasks at hand. From land clearing and brushcutting to stump removal and mulching, land management contractors need many tools in their arsenal.

Many of the Cat work tools needed to perform land management jobs are universally compatible with popular Cat equipment like skid steer, compact and multi-terrain loaders, as well as excavators. While there are many work tools at your disposal, consider these six versatile Cat attachments for land management:

1. Brushcutters

Brushcutter attachments are essential work tools in any land management contractor’s inventory. Brushcutting tools attach to your existing land management equipment, including your skid steer loader, multi-terrain loader and compact track loader. Cat brushcutters are available in two broad categories — closed deck brushcutters and open face industrial brushcutters. Both are useful in land management settings, depending on the amount of area you need to cover and the vegetation density.

Brushcutters allow you to effortlessly mow down tall, dense grasses, shred shrub overgrowth and even tackle trees as thick as 8 inches in diameter. Standard brushcutters range in cutting width from 62 inches to 79 inches, while the industrial brushcutters offer a 72-inch cutting width. Industrial brushcutters from Caterpillar range in hydraulic units, from standard flow to High Flow XPS to High Flow XHP.

Industrial brushcutters include a push bar to help better control and guide brush into the cutting deck. This allows you to take on tough land management projects, like clearing lots and leaving a smooth finish for development.

2. Flail Mowers

Flail mower attachments tackle the tough work a typical lawnmower can’t. Compatible with the 5-ton and 8-ton Cat mini excavator models, flail mowers come in two capacities — the HMF110 and the HMF210, both standard flow hydraulics.

Cat flail mower work tools are designed for rugged applications, allowing you to quickly and efficiently remove dense vegetation, tall grasses and branches. Flail mower attachments can work in a variety of terrain, from wide, level lots to embankments and ditches. They’re ideal for roadside vegetation management, clearing easements and right-of-ways, or trimming up around property lines or park boundaries. 

The flail mower’s ability to shear through unruly vegetation comes from the teeth design. It has both hammer and knife teeth, the latter having a serrated edge. The teeth are connected to the tool’s rotor drum, but each tooth swings independently on its own axle, giving it the powerful flail technique to break up brush. A rear roller protects the teeth from directly engaging with the soil, leaving you with a smooth, even finish.

3. Forestry Mulchers

Forestry mulchers are revolutionary work tool attachments designed for contractors in landscaping, forestry management and environmental land restoration. Mulchers cut up and mulch vegetation overgrowth and pruned materials, leaving you with organic, beneficial mulch for soil reclamation. Forestry mulchers are able to reach confined spaces to help you efficiently clear away tough-to-reach brush and even saplings or small trees up to 8 inches in diameter. 

They are compatible with Cat compact equipment for landscape management, including skid steer loaders, multi-terrain loaders and compact track or wheel loaders. The mulching drum is designed with a scattered tooth pattern, ensuring optimal shredding capacity with every tree or shrub the machine encounters. Various teeth options are available depending on the attachment model, including hammer, chisel or rock resistant teeth. 

The drum is also end-capped with additional carbide scrapers that ensure optimal cutting width across the drum. A second layer of knives at the back of the drum takes a second pass at the shredded material, spitting out a finer mulch. Mulcher attachments also come equipped with an adjustable heavy-duty push bar designed to knock down and guide vegetation into the mulcher. 

Cat forestry mulcher work tools are compatible with various hydraulic options, including Standard Flow, High Flow, High Flow XPS and High Flow XHP. 

4. Landscape Rakes

Landscape rake attachments help you manage residential, commercial or public properties by efficiently leaving a smooth and even finish to your surface. Landscape rake attachments pulverize material and help to aerate and condition soil in preparation for seeding. 

Landscape rakes engage the ground with durable carbide steel teeth. The Cat landscape rake work tool is designed to pick up protruding material from the ground, rip it up and deposit it into its attached hopper. Easily dispose of the collected debris by emptying the hopper at the end of the job. For a smooth finish, you can also run the rake in reverse direction.

Cat landscape rakes come in two working widths — 62 inches and 74 inches. Both models are Standard Flow attachments compatible with your existing Cat compact equipment, like skid steer loaders, multi-terrain loaders and compact track and wheel loaders. 

Caterpillar also offers power box rake attachments ideal for preparing and conditioning soil and finishing off landscape projects. Power box rake attachments allow operators to level and grade soil with finer precision. With the ability to angle the blade 20 degrees to the left or right, operators can have more control over their raking tasks.

5. Stump Grinders

Stump grinders are impressively powerful work tools designed to eliminate small and large stumps as well as roots and other solid overgrowth. For land management applications, stump grinders are a critical tool for delivering a polished, finished and safe end product. Cat stump grinders are equipped with a 22-inch diameter saw wheel that revolves at high speeds, quickly reducing stumps and roots to mulch. It does so using its carbide-steel-tipped teeth that effortlessly shred material. 

Cat stump grinders are compatible with your Cat compact equipment, including skid steer, multi-terrain, compact track or wheel loaders. Cat stump grinders are also available in a Standard Flow, High Flow and High Flow XPS unit. These are the SG16, SG18 and SG36 models, respectively.

By driving the stump grinder blade down onto an exposed stump or root, you’ll deliver powerful grinding motions that systematically carve away at solid wood. The operator can control the wheel motions independently — in the back-and-forth and forward-and-back axes — for added control. On the SG18 and SG36 models, you can automatically control the third dimension as well — the up-and-down movement. The SG16B model offers this capability in a manual setting.

6. Tillers

Tiller attachments are must-have tools for landscape contractors or agricultural land managers who need a fast and efficient way to condition soil. The Cat tiller attachment is a rugged tool that breaks and mixes soil or compost, leaving in its wake a level, smooth finish. Engineered with double-edged tungsten-coated tines, the Cat tiller delivers powerful and rugged pulverizing capabilities appropriate for hard, compact soil. For added flexibility, the tiller has adjustable skid shoes that allow you to set the tiller at the precise depth you need — 2, 4 or 6 inches deep.

Cat tiller attachments are compatible with your compact Cat equipment, such as the skid steer and multi-terrain, compact track or wheel loaders. You have two models to choose from, including the LT114 and the LT118 with dig depths of 53 and 73 inches, respectively. Both are Standard Flow attachments.

4. Restoration and Reforestation

If you’ve been contracted for land reforestation, restoration or rehabilitation, you need the right tools to clear logging slash and residual brush cuttings. Land management practices require you to handle the exposed soil carefully to avoid overly compacting the earth or disrupting the top mineral layer. 

Using Cat stump grinders, mulchers, mowers and brushcutters, you can clear land quickly and efficiently while preserving the soil quality needed for restoration and reforestation. If you’re involved in environmental reclamation, a Cat tiller attachment can help you pulverize and mix up soil, aerating it for its new generation of productive growth.

5. Forest Firefighting Cleanup and Restoration

After a forest fire, land management contractors face the heavy job of clearing away burnt-out debris safely and effectively. Excavators can help you pick up and dispose of brush, while loaders can help you move piled debris and load it into trucks to be taken away for hauling. Compact equipment also helps you maneuver around these disaster sites quickly and safely, getting you into harder-to-reach spots. 

In terms of attachments, brushcutters and mulchers help chop up debris into fine workable pieces, while stump grinders help you eliminate residual solid wood.

Choose The Cat® Rental Store for Land Management Equipment

When putting together your inventory of land management equipment and attachments, you need access to the top tools for the job. Land management contracts are time-sensitive and require specific equipment at the right time. To fulfill your duties, you need a reliable rental service provider you can depend on.

Your local dealer at The Cat Rental Store is your one-stop shop for compact and heavy equipment rentals and all the needed work tools that accompany them. For your next land management job, visit The Cat Rental Store near you and talk to one of our product experts. Our dealers will help you decide on the right equipment and work tools for the job. Contact us today at 1-800-RENT-CAT for more information, or stop by one of our convenient locations.