About Lang Land Clearing

A Contract That Started It All

William J. Lang Land Clearing began in 1972 when Bill Lang secured a contract with N.E. Isaacson Associates, Inc. to clear land for the Sugar Springs development in northern Gladwin County. With that agreement, Bill purchased his first machine. As long as he stayed ahead of the civil construction crews, he would receive all the clearing work. He kept ahead, and the two‑year project launched the new business with strong momentum.

Expanding Through Farmland Clearing

After Sugar Springs, the company focused on clearing farmland across Michigan. By 1975, steady work allowed Bill to purchase a second machine. His connections in the farming community opened doors in Clinton and Bay Counties, where several farmers served on their county road commission boards. They spoke highly of the company’s quality and efficiency, and both counties contracted Lang Land Clearing for many years.

Entering State Projects

In the late ’70s, Lang Land Clearing began subcontracting on State of Michigan projects. Over the next decade, the company cleared miles of M‑131 and I‑69 and worked on the Gladwin and West Branch airports. Additional state‑funded projects across multiple counties required more equipment and more employees. Even with this growth, farmland clearing remained a major part of the company’s workload.

Shifting to Southeast Michigan

By the late ’80s, demand for farmland clearing declined. Bill learned that southeast Michigan had significant clearing needs for residential subdivisions and industrial facilities. After looking into it, he saw strong demand but also new challenges. Burning trees and stumps was no longer practical or permitted in densely populated areas. To adapt, the company invested in large chippers and tub grinders to turn material into mulch. With the right equipment in place, Lang Land Clearing successfully entered the southeast Michigan market.

Innovation Through Necessity

In the early ’90s, the recession reduced housing development, which lowered demand and prices for land clearing. Bill recognized that stump disposal was the most expensive part of the operation. Tub grinders required extensive support equipment to split, dig, clean, and feed stumps into the machine. They were also high‑maintenance and costly to operate. Bill believed that an excavator‑mounted grinder capable of grinding stumps in the ground would dramatically reduce costs. He took the risk and developed highly productive, low‑maintenance stump grinders that transformed the company’s efficiency.

Growth, Equipment, and the Next Generation

As the company continued upgrading its grinders, it built a fleet of high‑production land clearing equipment and expanded operations into Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.

Bill Jr. joined the company in 1987 after graduating from high school and took over management of the land clearing division in the mid‑’90s. This shift allowed Bill Sr. to focus on Lang Tool Co., which he had formed to manufacture stump grinders and other tools.

Dan, Bill’s younger son, joined in 1992. Although his primary responsibilities are with Lang Tool Co., he continues to perform major repair work for the land clearing company.

A Third Generation Steps In

In 2015, Bill’s grandson, Will Lang, joined the company. A decade later, in 2025, Bill’s granddaughter, Morgan Lang, joined as well. Today, William J. Lang Land Clearing has operated for more than 50 years, and three generations now contribute to the company’s continued success.

A Third Generation Steps In

In 2015, Bill’s grandson, Will Lang, joined the company. A decade later, in 2025, Bill’s granddaughter, Morgan Lang, joined as well. Today, William J. Lang Land Clearing has operated for more than 50 years, and three generations now contribute to the company’s continued success.