Blackthorn clearing/Stihl FS550 clearing saw

I own a bit of ground thats full of blackthorn roughly 15 years old, 1/4 of a mile of the stuff to be exact.

I want to clear it , i'm thinking about cutting it down and pilling it up with a tractor.

My question is do you think a Stihl FS 550 clearing saw/brush cutter will be up to my job of cutting/clearing, rough guess is the stems are 2'' diameter. I know a flail will be much faster, but we haven't much work on so i've got the time, and at the end of the day i'll have to pay someone to come in with a flail, at least if I do it myself i'll have a clearing saw at the end of the day

Have any of you guys used a FS550 clearing saw, what do you think of them?

The FS550 saw is the most powerfull clearing saw in the Stihl range

Lee, the saw will have plenty enough power, just watch for how badly tangled the blacthorn is. If its too thick, you will end up having to mulch it with the clearing saw

cheers mate, the idea is Dan cuts it whilst I drag it out to the fire heap with the tractor and grab

Ha ha I like the Dan plan Lee lmao

FWIW I agree with Ed the clearing saw will destroy it but if it's tangled it's a sod to swing side to side.

I'd see if your tractor has the umpff to push it up and grab it out.

lee.....if its only 2inch diameter stuff wont the tractor just scoop it all straight up?

Might have done steve , if i had a bit of steel mounted on the grapple where you said

jungle buster!!!!

jungle buster!!!!

Could you elaborate mate...

I spent Friday felling small Ashes ~6" diameter with the FS450. No problems with that so the 550 won't struggel with the blackthorn.

I spent Friday felling small Ashes ~6" diameter with the FS450. No problems with that so the 550 won't struggel with the blackthorn.

cheers mate, thats good to hear as i've just bought one...