Land Clearing with the Skid Steer | Harvesting Trees for the Sawmill

Check out our latest project: clearing a 100 x120 foot area of moss, trees, and stumps to bring more sunlight to our solar panels and garden! We've also made room for extra high tunnels. Now, all that's left is grading. Join us for this down-to-earth journey of expansion and improvement.
Thank you for supporting our channel!
Katie & Chris
Kicking Up Dust/Will Harrison/Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
West of the Soul/River Foxcroft/Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Sunrise/Northside/Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

[@davidthies6323]

The video is better because of your increased dialog and great editing. Keep up the good work. Make more videos!

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thanks!

[@carlapierle8623]

Chris is a beast on that machine! Shoot, the machine is a beast pulling out those big stumps! The goats had a feast, too!

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thanks!

[@buannaphillips852]

I’m rewatching most of your videos…the ones where you were picking berries…you’re sooo blessed you don’t have snakes!!! Here in Texas all those area would be covered with snakes!

[@karynkelly-michael4089]

"Work smarter, not harder" - Allen Morgenstern and, later Scrooge McDuck. That Skid Loader was a "smart" investment!

[@northtoalaska2022]

Very true!

[@franceswatts4001]

I am steadily working through your videos, and I need to ask you if there are any attachments for the Skid steer that you do NOT own?! What an awesomely versatile machine, particularly when operated with great skill such as yours. It’s literally a super power extension of your arms.

[@johnpiper82]

The more videos you put out the faster your channel will grow ! Your prep to come to Alaska was outstanding, your selection of equipment was truly made for this environment. The work ethic is outstanding along with the knowledge of how equipment can be used. This is going to be a great channel to watch as you build your homestead ❤ Best regards from another PA, guy John

[@davidthies6323]

Chris, you have just been awarded 1st Place in the Stump Puller competition ! 😮

[@northtoalaska2022]

😅

[@FishandHunt]

As a forester of 32 years, I was relieved to see chainsaw protection being used in this one. I've always said that a chainsaw is the most dangerous thing that you can operate without a licence and I've seen some very unpleasant accidents over the years. Say safe, love the content. G'day from Australia 🖐🏻 🇦🇺🤝🇺🇸

[@katz5434]

Agreed good to see safe practices with chainsaw use! Also tuning in from Australia 🇦🇺

[@FishandHunt]

@@katz5434 💯% 👍🏻

[@rougefox9233]

Yes! My sister's boyfriend did some logging work in Oregon, his chain came off & ripped up both hands & forearms, luckily didn't take them off or kill him, it was serious injuries & lost part of a finger. So yeah, totally agree!

[@FishandHunt]

@@rougefox9233 Sure can hurt you if you get it wrong.

[@Bernie5172]

Yep, I never worried about leg pads for myself. but I bought a set for my son. I was worried sick for him

[@dianehill6612]

You guys have the BEST VIDEOS OF ANYONE IN ALASKA

[@northtoalaska2022]

Haha, we are flattered, but Outdoor Boys is the undisputed king of Alaska KZbin channels. Thanks for watching!

[@florencecampbell774]

You both work well as a team,thanks for taking us along.👍🥰

[@northtoalaska2022]

🙂👍👍

[@Bman2020]

The old skid steer stole the show seems very tough as well the operator Great watch 👍👋🇨🇦

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thank you, it's a good work horse!

[@cb4874]

That’s a lot of work for you guys!….. you sure are getting after it!….

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thanks!

[@WombleUK]

That little Case skid loader gets the job done, but jeez that's a really bouncy rocky ride, you must feel sea sick after a couple of hours LOL

[@northtoalaska2022]

Haha, you get used to it, it's like riding a bull when pulling those heavy stumps!

[@jeb3415]

Chris you are a beast on that skid steer… lol I just saw someone else made the same comment. Now your tree felling skills left me a bit nervous lol. But you two did an incredible job getting that land opened up! That pine sap will make for some sticky goat muzzles but I understand the greenery and bark is good for clearing out the harmful parasites too, desert and salad all in one branch… a lot of wins on the homestead for all. Thanks for sharing!

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thanks! The goats have been loving the branch buffets!

[@virginiavanoosten5013]

So much work but such an inspiring project! Two more hours of sunshine plus greenhouses makes sense. Way to go!

[@jasonwilson7998]

Seriously, love your channel! It would've given me/us a good perspective on the land you cleared to the relation of where it was at. Love your channel! Wish you'd post more!

[@northtoalaska2022]

This is only about 50 yards from our fenced garden area. We will have to do a tour video someday once we finish up most of our current projects to give some more perspective. Thank you!

[@laruedouglas7972]

You did an amazing job clearing that area. Thank goodness for the skid steer. Plus you made the goats happy 😊.

[@northtoalaska2022]

The goats loved their treats!

[@garyscott7625]

You two really did a great job today.

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thanks!

[@maryanndavis8539]

Love your videos. We watched the video of why you moved and it was spot on. Alaska is such a beautiful state. We are from Pennsylvania too and feel the same especially the humidity.

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thank you! I'm sure it is air conditioner time for you guys by now. We were from York County! 68° here today and sunny, our warmest day so far this year.

[@TheDieselStop]

Nice job on cleaning your land. Katie your a champ you always amaze me when you’re working with Chris by his side with a chainsaw or power tools. I’m excited to see how you guys turn that into lumber. It’s always fun to watch your guys video’s. Chris sure can run that skidsteer. Awesome job guys.

[@5203mhr]

It’s clear from the video that you have good organic content in your soil One of the reasons why you still see frost under stump tells that it rains good in your area and that’s why roots are not so deep as they don’t have to go deep into ground to pull moisture out and water from all the moisture is high enough that it causes frost under trees Also please don’t burn any stump as it has great biodiversity attached to them so use it for hogoculture purposes and all the branches after goats are done can be shredded for mulching Try not to compact the ground too much as you have great soil for outdoor crops Last but not least you definitely know how to use your Case to it’s maximum capacity Great job,it’s coming along perfectly well

[@PieterOosthuizen-wc1ej]

Can use the thin trees for poles around area U clean for a fence. Grate job, can see Chris enjoy his masjine

[@northtoalaska2022]

We won't be fencing this area just a few small high tunnels to help some of the vegetables grow better. The next episode should showcase it pretty well!

[@David-ic5fi]

That’s a mighty machine you’ve got there! Not pretty but worth it’s weight in gold

[@northtoalaska2022]

Haha the 30-year-old paint could use some touch-ups

[@jewels7832]

Nice job you two. Looking forward to seeing the greenhouse build. 😊

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thank you!

[@FIL357]

Clever and skilful use of the loader. Good to see the right PPE when using chainsaw etc., so many seem to take an avoidable risk by not doing so. Great clearance. 👍 Best regards, Phil, Suffolk, U.K. 🇬🇧

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thank you!

[@katedee5890]

I just love your videos. The two of you are such hard workers, and your property is magnificent as a result.

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thank you 🙂❤️

[@patriciamontague6035]

You guys have been busy hi from Colorado Springs 😀

[@northtoalaska2022]

Yes! 🙂🫶

[@davidasimkosr4641]

There is such rich dirt once you cleared the trees out.. No snakes in Alaska I hope, I love to watch you two work together on your projects. God Bless...,..

[@northtoalaska2022]

No snakes here! The soil is great, just a few Amendments and it is ideal for growing plants in. Thank you and God bless!

[@pinkywilliams8063]

Alright Christopher, this old lady's heart can't take much of the skid steer almost flipping but I must say that's a good little skid steer you have right there.... Thanks for sharing you two...

[@northtoalaska2022]

Sorry about that! It's not quite as bad as it looked I know the limits pretty well on the machine. It can be tricky working on slopes. Thanks for watching!

[@louis220558]

Great job well done

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thanks!

[@LoreenHerman]

Anyone else try shaking their phone to "help knock off the dirt" from those stumps? 😂 Great job! Looks like a clean canvas. Ready for your next masterpiece!

[@northtoalaska2022]

😅 thank you!

[@sarahschlosser1203]

Great job

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thanks 🙂

[@lindanoland-pv1pb]

Lots of goodies for the goats! ♥️

[@northtoalaska2022]

They loved it!

[@chuckhorner3758]

Wow that's a lot of work accomplished! Thank God for chain saws, skid steers, grapples, and good partners. A Goat buffet and Moose snack bar, Keep up the good work

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thanks Chuck!

[@NikolaiAstaf]

Хорошая работа пилой! Отличный участок! Лоси! Хороший прицеп!Классное видео получилось! Мне понравилось! Круто Круто!!!👍👍👍

[@northtoalaska2022]

Glad you enjoyed all the video 🙂❤️

[@Cuz789]

Wall-E put in a lot of work in this video. I agree about hating to cut down old growth trees but it is for a very good cause. You two are gonna make some great progress this summer, it already shows. Cant wait to see where you are when the snow falls again

[@northtoalaska2022]

Haha Ole wall-e, we are very excited and motivated, so much to do 🙂

[@mariarichmond4179]

Why not get your own shredder, if you have the saw mill this could be finically viable! Good work 😊😊😊😊😊

[@northtoalaska2022]

The tub grinder the farm uses to grind stumps is about 60k USD in used condition, that won't ever be in our budget so we give them the big stuff we can't burn in a wood stove. A small chipper for small sticks would be handy for making animal bedding. Will probably invest in one later in the future. Thanks!

[@KaineStrang]

You guys are fantastic luv the show !

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thank you!

[@TheKDubW]

You know your skid-steer's capabilities. I'm surprised at the ability it has in removing those stumps. I know the soil is looser and the roots aren't super deep but still, those are some good size stumps. You did a great job in clearing things out. I didn't realize you're that close to the coast. Nice job 👏🏻

[@northtoalaska2022]

It could not remove tree stumps like this back in Pennsylvania, the trees here only root into the top layer of dirt, very shallow roots. The hardest part is breaking them free from the frost. We are close enough to the inlet to see it from our property but since it is a peninsula here, the weather effect is strong because of the ocean on both sides of us. Thanks!

[@devandkatsmommy]

Amazing work. Your expertise on heavy equipment shows! What a great team you make!

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thank you 🙂 ❤️

[@yoop177]

Very good editing, excellent video. Fun to watch the progress on your homestead! You both are neat tidy and organized plus smart❤,Diana

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thanks Diana! ❤️

[@charlenegrady8781]

Glad you have that skid steer. Makes the work a little easier. Looking good. Good luck. See you again soon. Take care✌️🇺🇸❤️❤️

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thank you, and well wishes 🙂

[@craigshrimpton5765]

Good to see you're both wearing chaps. How much land do you have there. Making room to get in a much larger solar set is ideal for going off grid as well as providing your own food.

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thanks! We have 10 acres, about 1.5 acres have been cleared so far. The surrounding heavy forest cuts back on the solar quite a bit in the spring and fall. We are very selectively cutting trees, just enough to get sun to our gardens and help gain more solar input. I have been studying the sun pattern over the last year to figure out what is best to cut and what should stay.

[@Bernie5172]

great job folks. your trees are a lot bigger than the ones I cut and stacked today

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thanks 🙂

[@thomascondon724]

Brillant content again ..that little case with the grabber is amazing...love your channel...blessings from little old ireland 🇮🇪

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thank you glad you are enjoying the videos 🙂❤️

[@hammrhed6861]

Outstanding, truly amasing what hard work and some solid equipment can accomplish these days, if only this was available 40 years ago. new subscriber, wish you well.

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thank you and welcome!

[@rossbrown1748]

Wow guys, that’s a whole Lotta lumber and firewood

[@northtoalaska2022]

It's adding up 🙂

[@danielhoward9768]

Perfect skillset to accomplish your goals, especially heavy equiptment mechanic! Fun watching!

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thank you!

[@junewrogg6137]

You guys are hard workers!! Love watching the Lab, SO cute!!!! Moose! BONUS :)

[@northtoalaska2022]

Glad you enjoyed 🙂 thanks!

[@chipprice1174]

Watching this, well, it's so very satisfying! One thing I can say, when you come to Alaska, you come with the right tools for the jobs you have to do, ...All the jobs! That skid Steer is one beast of a handy machine!

[@sgrvtl7183]

Love the machine❗️ great work You Two are doing to make the most of your land👌💯💜🦋

[@northtoalaska2022]

🙂❤️

[@quindamann3889]

Great video. Great skid steer skills. Y’all are great together. Keep up the videos.

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thanks 🙂 ❤️

[@jasondavis1816]

And you have good trees on your land that you can mill up great job guys

[@refiii9499]

Your soil looks extremely robust! Very nutrient rich and will make for excellent gardens. Just a FYI sphagnum moss is excellent for your gardens. Not only do you get all the mycorrhizal fungi from the thousands of years of composting it acts as an aerator also. I grab all my moss in my area I can find and add it to my gardens whenever possible. Also I bet your goats are absolutely loving all that pine. Pine does help slightly with deworming I’ve read over the years. A rate of 30% lower eggs in the fecal matter etc. You two are doing great work up there!

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thank you for the tips!

[@buannaphillips852]

I love watching your videos…you’re going to build your KZbin fast!

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thank you 🙂

[@OG_Outdoorz]

Be nice to have access to chipper/shredder to reduce all that debris into much/shavings.

[@northtoalaska2022]

Agreed, we may invest in a small one to do tree branches one day. For now the goats get to eat all the branches up over the next few months

[@alasdairhamilton1574]

The Case 1845C is a great workhorse ❤👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@northtoalaska2022]

Very true 👍

[@roderickdunn3464]

I am in Australia. Here the trees are tap rooted. You seem to be dealing with surface rooted trees. A very different clearing job it seems earlier to pick out the stumps, but you are dealing with a lot of small tash.

[@richardwhite3711]

If you burn those stumps you would get a bunch of Potash and Calcium for the garden to be fertilized with

[@northtoalaska2022]

True, forest fires are too risky in this area. If we had thousands of gallons of water on hand it could be accomplished safely.

[@iangambrill1655]

Hi again from Australia. We are now retired and my work life was not too disimilar to yours. I was mechanical fitter and machinist with building experience over the years. On may 15th just passed we were thinking of you all day as we were in Seward, It was the best day of the year weather wise according to a local we talked to, that owns a log house down near the RV park on the waterfront. We walked the town all day and was impressed with the earth quake videos they screened at the library and the coffee at the old church. Also we had lunch at the firebrand BBQ grill on the main road down from a park. Anyway I cant help giving you a 10 out of 10 for your building of the home. My wife says you are so much like me with your work ethic and accuracy. Do it once and do it right is my motto. All the best with your projects this year and look us up if you come to Australia Ha Ha.

[@georgetuider654]

You are a good team! Your dog is a good helper too! Just like my lab, he always wants to be where the action is.

[@northtoalaska2022]

He always wants to help out too! Thanks!

[@paulamellors9745]

Your latest video has not appeared on my feed, very strange. Watched on my home page. Just wondered if anyone else as had the same problem or if youtubes algarithms are involved. I have the 'ALL' button on (like all my other subscribers) but still not got your latest video come through 🤷‍♀️

[@northtoalaska2022]

Hi there! We have had a few subscribers mention this issue. We haven't changed any settings. I wonder if it is on KZbins end. Hopefully our next one pops up for you!

[@DimensionalHorse]

Just love watching u 2!!!! 💜😊

[@northtoalaska2022]

🙂❤️

[@drathen1556]

I want to give props to whoever assembled and edited this video… it must have taken forever! Also, no Milwaukee chainsaw? 😅

[@northtoalaska2022]

Haha, thanks! Sthil is king for the saws. Not sure how useful an electric saw would be, never owned one. Katie is the editor, she said 8 hours to edit this one for you guys... many hours of footage never make it into the films. I'm just the grunt worker.

[@user-BeGoodBeSafe]

How long did it take for the goats to clean those pine branches? As always, love seeing Benelli, what a happy dog

[@northtoalaska2022]

It only took about 1.5 days, they are piglets. We keep adding more every few days to keep them content

[@StevenEverett7]

My, that's a whole lot of work!

[@northtoalaska2022]

🙂

[@user-ud7zw2po5g]

Hi thank you for your video great to see your work is amazing a great team 😘 xx❤❤❤

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thanks!

[@krisirolfe4332]

Question: the heavy equipment machines you use- do you rent them - buy them??? How did you know how to use/drive them??? It looks fun!!! Nice job clearing the land!

[@denafreeborn424]

Can’t believe that skid steer pulled up those stumps.

[@jeanetteDK]

love your videos hugs from Denmark

[@northtoalaska2022]

❤️ thanks!

[@jeffsizemore6869]

The place is looking awesome Great video

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thanks 🙂

[@bobmuirs8040]

I like yr safety concious. Also articulate in expl.anation,thanks

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thank you!

[@deannaoverstreet4146]

Binge watcher! Love your content!

[@northtoalaska2022]

😃❤️

[@debbietrebilcoe9441]

You are doing amazing work inspirational.

[@northtoalaska2022]

❤️

[@cathyjones3403]

Excellent video a lot of hard work but you guys rocked it 👏👏👏

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thank you 🙂

[@danmcdonagh8924]

I really enjoy your vids. Dan , Edmonton , Alberta, Canada😅

[@northtoalaska2022]

That is great to hear Dan, thank you!

[@jesseandrade8752]

Nice job you two!

[@northtoalaska2022]

Thanks!

[@tomriley6393]

If you get an opportunity, it would be interesting to see a video about turning the tree roots into mulch at the farm.

[@northtoalaska2022]

That would be interesting to see and record.

[@MASTER3RDEYE]

Great team.

[@krisirolfe4332]

Question: the machine you use- do you rent them - buy them??? How did you know how to use/drive them??? It looks fun!!! Nice job clearing the land! Why don’t you rent a chipper and have your stumps and tiny limbs made into wood chips n sawdust for the garden n other areas??

[@jackdonaghyjr]

Couple of things I've been curious about and might make for an in-between short video or 2. 1. Task Management. Do you keep one long running list? Are there categories, like "Cabin", "Food", "Land Management" etc? How often do you add to your task list? What format does that take shape in? Like a google doc or sheet, or do you have poster boards lining the RV? 2. Task Decision Tree. How are you deciding what task to do for which project on a day to day basis. Certainly weather and resources play a large role in this, and of course there are order of operations on things like the cabin. What is your task fail-over plan when you wake up and conditions are not right for the days task? 3. Labor Management. Have you committed to something like a traditional work day we're you're, at least, trying to put in X hours per day. Is it more like we felt like working 4 today, but tomorrow might be a 16 hour day? 4. Project Management. In the abstract, of course, the goal is to have a livable cabin with reliable water, food, and power. But are you breaking down the end game in to smaller projects? Do you have milestones or goals you're shooting for? How do you manage your expectation of "on track/time" vs feeling fallen behind? Anyway, I'm glad I found your channel on the second video, it will be interesting to see the whole project through.

[@MASTER3RDEYE]

Happy dog.

[@user-xp2ex5zf2v]

Вы лучшие.🎉

[@northtoalaska2022]

☺️

[@pb973]

Use a tape measure and measure the circumference of the tree every inch is a year. 😊

[@janosszabo98]

Weird, this video did not and still does not show up on my sub feed. Just found it browsing randomly.

[@northtoalaska2022]

We have heard that from several subscribers. Maybe our videos are not good enough to be promoted on KZbin. 😅 thanks for watching!

[@RobinJones-ow9oz]

Are moose more active than the summer than the winter cuz y'all got an awful lot of them most out there you did a good job cleaning up that looks really nice

[@northtoalaska2022]

They seem to be active all the time here, we see them in our woods almost daily. Mostly in the late evening, they walk by.

[@debo4706]

What about chipping the branches ,the wood chips could be put down for trails to get to the water or to use for the sloppy area .

[@dennisoverholts8396]

Are you guys just working on the Cabin behind the scenes?

[@northtoalaska2022]

The cabin build is still on, we only had a short window to get this area cleared so we could grow crops before it's too late.

[@rudygtrz]

you need to rent a big wood chipper so you have them for the garden.

[@IdahoShawn]

"Paved paradise and put in a parking lot..."

[@sgrvtl7183]

joni mitchell

[@northtoalaska2022]

Not quite. If you could see how vast the endless forest is here it may be easier to understand this Is not a drop in the bucket. Removing these trees allows us to create our solar energy and grow vegetables in place of this small area of forest.

[@IdahoShawn]

@@northtoalaska2022 Don't get me wrong. I found your channel through KZbin's crazy algorithm and have liked what I've seen so far and became a subscriber. But during this particular video I kept hearing that song play in my head. Me personally, with my ocd, would have cement pads for the well filter and pump, cemented walkways, equipment sheds with cement pads, etc. I know what you are doing is a drop in the bucket, but if I am thinking that than others probably are too. You may just make a note as you are clearing land as such "Hey this seems like a lot but taken into context...." Also have you thought of doing drone shots? Might give everyone a better idea of the layout of your overall property and how small of an area you are actually clearing... Either way, keep up the good work...

[@russwise1]

😎👍👍

[@gf3803]

I just cleared an area for our sawmill and of course scraped that thick mat of tundra turf off along with the bazillion deadwoods and from your video I'm realizing I could have used that mat to make compost? Certainly that seems obvious but I didn't do it. I've got that stuff lined up in big piles along with the deadwoods and roots and stumps. Do you do anything special to the mats to make them compost? Add something to them? I'm about to clear some more area for some solar arrays and I'd like to do it right next time because we could use some compost given our plans to build a greenhouse next summer. Love your videos!

[@gf3803]

Oh, and your goats have us wanting some in the worst way. Would love it if you did a video one day on how much you have to feed them, how much of the feed you can provide from the land, can you store the tall grass and spruce boughs for the winter in lieu of hay, and how much hay and commercial food you have to buy over winter.

[@Jeremy_936]

Can the duff layer be plowed under for added organic matter to the soil (for holding moisture)?

[@northtoalaska2022]

It could be, but I have tried that in an area and it creates a sink hole and unstable ground surface.

[@andersmartensson1851]

Dags för ett tak över sågverket så att ni kan såga året om . Ett virkes lager vore också bra , Där kan sågat virke torka

[@moirani2021]

💯💯💯💯💯👋👋👋👋👋🥰🥰🥰

[@northtoalaska2022]

🙂

[@henryheinrich6581]

😇👍👍👍👍👍🙏

[@northtoalaska2022]

🙂

[@billyalexander2783]

what brand and model is your grapple, any issues with it?

[@northtoalaska2022]

It is a solesbees brand grapple. They are a bit salty at 4k+ dollars new. It is built strong enough to run on a much larger track loader. I found this one second-hand used for 1k dollars from a landscape company, only needed a hydraulic hose. For me, it has been the most useful attachment I own. I believe if I had bought one of the cheap Chinese models it would be mangled and bent it up by now.

[@user-lv4ix1qf1g]

what part of AK. are you at? those are big trees

[@northtoalaska2022]

Kenai

[@jeffreylacroix1243]

Do you burn your tree stumps or hide them and let nature take its course?

[@gf3803]

They said they take them to a local farm that will grind them into chips.

[@northtoalaska2022]

We take them all to a local farm :)

[@tomburbridge1114]

Hey guys I mistireouslly got unsubscribed!! Check your subscription and bell. We sure dont wanna miss an episode.

[@northtoalaska2022]

Ohh no! Glad you are back 🙂

[@thomasmoeller2688]

Chopping live not good rule of thumb cut one tree down plant one tree. No good

[@northtoalaska2022]

We planted around 200 trees last year in another part of the property where beetles killed all the trees. Since we are working with mostly raw land trees need to be removed to allow us to get solar energy from the sun, and help our gardens grow food.