trail clearing technique and tools

[ArlyA]

Isn't anyone else working on there trails??

 

[ultrarunner]

I was until a knee injury...

Hope to be back to it in a couple weeks.

 

[jjeff]

My main tool for new Xmas tree rows/ trails. Yooper engineered $100 35 yr old MTD had for 10 yrs now, no safety features or brakes anymore have to bypass the solenoid to start and ground the coil to shut off, only ever had to replace the mandrels. Plastics mounted on deck to prevent tree trunk damage, because I mow very close on new small trees. Definitely not high tech, cutting edge, or sophisticated like most but it works great for my small operation. I also use a 5' Bush hog and L4150 for the bigger trees and trails. Try and cut once a month or so on new trees few times a year on older tree trails.

 

[airbiscuit]

We have an 80 acre parcel that recently had about 15 acres logged (NW corner). I had a lot of trails before, but had them make one new trail. Right when they were finishing we got a strong thunder storm and the ground was too soft to back blade, and they left some serious ruts. I was able to straighten that out pretty well with the 5 1/2' pull type tandem disc that I pickedup for $80. I had a couple places where a stump was pulled up that left a hole I will have to fill in with a shovel. They did a pretty good job of keeping slash off my existing trails, but I had to remove it in a couple of spots.

I planted oats in some trails that were disturbed, and an oats/clover/brassica mix in others. Both are coming up well. In the wooded area, I am blazing a new North/South line in the middle of the West 40. It's amazing how hard it is to walk in a straight line in the woods. Huntstand's GPS helps, but it bounces around too much. I used a 330' tape measure to try to make a straight line, but my orientation was slightly off. Time for a few more tweaks.

 

[airbiscuit]

My main tool for new Xmas tree rows/ trails. Yooper engineered $100 35 yr old MTD had for 10 yrs now, no safety features or brakes anymore have to bypass the solenoid to start and ground the coil to shut off, only ever had to replace the mandrels. Plastics mounted on deck to prevent tree trunk damage, because I mow very close on new small trees. Definitely not high tech, cutting edge, or sophisticated like most but it works great for my small operation. I also use a 5' Bush hog and L4150 for the bigger trees and trails. Try and cut once a month or so on new trees few times a year on older tree trails.

I used to have a 15hp MTD much like that. My friend caught trail fever for his Gator, but didn't really know what to do about it. So we cut some trails through his woods and cut the stumps "flush" with the ground. I followed up with my MTD rider and cut all the brush. He couldn't believe how well it worked. I said, "you'd be amazed what you can do when you abuse the heck out of equipment".

I always wanted to make a Rough Cut Rider, by giving it a 3" lift. Front axel lift is easy - rear axel lift is harder. Never found one that would be easy to do.

 

[JamesHW]

Isn't anyone else working on there trails??

We had to focus on the house and getting our field mostly cleared having been neglected last year, so here is a sped up 3x vid of mowing saplings taller than me w/ the Del Morino brush mower on my BCS. Planning to grapple w/ the trails next trip in August when the shade will be appreciated. Left a bunch of patches of wild flowers for the butterflys

 

[dodge man]

Arly, do you get poison ivy at all? I see your pictures and that’s the first thing I think of.

 

[ArlyA]

Not much of that, but we do have poison nettles here.

We were on the trails today doing bridge work and will post pics when they get processed.

 

[ArlyA]

Out working on trails over the weekend raising this bridge, and adding dirt ramps. I little saw work as well.

Here is 4" raisers placed under both ends, bridge 6x6's were toe screw to them, then rocks added to keep dirt in.

Filled with creek gravel, then dirt on top.

 

[ArlyA]

There was several trees that had fallen across the trail, in the logging road portion. We got them off but the heat was getting to much to get the last one.