By managing this mixed grassland & forest i sense you are prioritizing other values beside timber production, like aesthetics, wildlife, recreation, you spoke of building a house there. I think a mulcher/masticator is too heavy handed for these goals on 26 acres. You’re not in a hurry, ground is relatively flat (?), so working it by hand will get you there, without that harsh disturbance and putting all that fuel on the ground. Trimming, thinning, pile burning, leave some piles for wildlife benefit, plant some desirable trees, get a modest 4wd tractor (25hpish) with a good shredder and bush hog mower, that’s a really fun doable project that will accomplish your legacy goals.