trail clearing technique and tools

ArlyA · May 1, 2022

kenmbz said:
You have a lot of patience to drive that tiny bar through the big stuff, but understand the limit on what you can carry.
Watching you do the big trails gives me incentive for my tiny trails to get out there and keep them maintained.
Going through a massive spring growth spurt and deep mud slows me down a bit, seems that nothing slows you two down.
Thanks for sharing!

Its how slow? When sharp, like they always should always be, I'd guess these narrow chains are of little difference in cutting speed than X larger ones are.

airbiscuit · May 1, 2022

ArlyA likes his pole saws

I'm sure they're handy on the trail, but for the bigger stuff, I'd prefer my modded 50cc Echo. To each his own.

ArlyA · May 5, 2022

We were in feild all day today and the 1st ones to get into this NFS campground called Bob Lake. The roads in still had ice and snow on them but we did get around the trails and cleaned them up. If I can process the photos tonight, I'll post some. We are heading out in the morning with our camper and head south to Lake Sts Katheyrn to complete the trail clearing there. Lots of good food and drink will be in tow with us.

ArlyA · May 5, 2022

Here is a few pics taken today. What does this path look like to you?

Right away we find blow downs. This is green wood.

A buzz a buzz we go. Didn't really take very long.

Almost done!

This is what the trail is.

Must get to bed!

bcp · May 5, 2022

Whoever drew that picture of the train should have looked at a real logging train photo instead of a toddler's pull toy.

Bruce

ArlyA · May 6, 2022

Here is a few more taken yesterday. Not much snow remaining on the trail.

These are cut this width to block atv use.

We left this one for later. (larger saw)

What a pretty trail. We heard the Sand hill cranes but didn't see them.

The end and cleared, other than that big dead fall. We'll be back when strings are needed and then take care of the big felllow.

Ken45101 · May 6, 2022

Wow! i just ran across this thread! Many of the pages I cannot access, i get a "prohibited" response!?

Anyway, I've been doing bridle trail maintenance and building in southern Ohio for 15 years or so. State parks and forests and on my own place here. I have logged more hours on the bridle trails with 4 wheeler than a horse ;-)

As I'm getting older (75) I'm just limited to keeping my own trails open.

Started out with chainsaws and weedeaters, moved up to a DR mower, then bush hogs and heavier equipment. We had great cooperation from management at a couple of state parks and I had authorization to clear or reroute trails as necessary.

Here is one trail that I rerouted from an old sunken roadbed (which ultimately became a sloppy drainage ditch) to higher ground:

Ken45101 · May 6, 2022

On steeper hillsides, the miniexcavator works well and feels a lot safer.

ArlyA · May 6, 2022

Ken45101 said:
On steeper hillsides, the miniexcavator works well and feels a lot safer.

View attachment 744873

What are these trails build for?

Ken45101 · May 6, 2022

The goals around here are to keep the trails wide enough and in good shape to allow a mid sized tractor with bush hog to keep them mowed, and also to allow emergency access for utility vehicles to bring in EMS and assist removal of injured people. It's no fun trying to carry someone several miles up and down steep hills on a backboard! i remember reading of one injured rider in Hoosier National forest who had to be carried several miles to the lakeshore where she was taken out on a pontoon boat to a location where a medivac helicopter could land and transport them!

Ken45101 · May 6, 2022

ArlyA said:
What are these trails build for?

All the trails I've worked on in the state parks have been bridle trails (horseback riding). That particular trail had run out the ridgetop and then dropped straight down the steep drop at the end. That had turned into an eroded gulley, dangerous at best even on foot.

I went back 500' on the ridge and cut a gradual trail into the side of the ridge with a moderate drop and hopefully dispersed drainage.

ArlyA · May 8, 2022

We spend the weekend at a NFS campground south of here and this was the 1st camping of the season!

This is a month later than last spring. Did got around the 3+ mile trail there and got it all cleared up of dead-falls. Will post pics after some time to process them. Had much fun there.

airbiscuit · May 9, 2022

ArlyA · May 14, 2022

Out clearing winter dead-fall on the trails we care for today and picked up an implement as well..

On the hike out. Since it was down a single track section, the Boss 6x6 was left home. Pods are still on as well!

Skagit · May 14, 2022

Spent some money today, I'd never seen one of the funny reciprocating brush heads before.

ArlyA · May 15, 2022

Skagit said:
Spent some money today, I'd never seen one of the funny reciprocating brush heads before. View attachment 745903 View attachment 745904

I haven't ether. Please post a link to the "reciprocating brush head".

Skagit · May 15, 2022

ArlyA said:
I haven't ether. Please post a link to the "reciprocating brush head".

It's like a round hedge trimmer, store said they just got them in and had only sold one so far to a guy using them for clearing blackberries and he loved it. We'll see how well it works.

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/multi-task-tools/kombisystem-attachments/rgkm/