trail clearing technique and tools

[2manyrocks]

Middle TN had mid 80 temps a few days ago. Neighbor ran into rattlesnake working the fence line yesterday.

 

[jjeff]

Eastern UP and northern LP could definitely use your expertise and experience clearing trails due to the ice storms this spring. Everyone I talked with since the storms say it's a complete disaster around there guess most rec trails in that area will stay closed this summer.

 

[ArlyA]

Trail machine news: We are looking at used 4 series JD tractors to help us with trail work for Boundary Road trails or at the properties we have been looking at for purchasing. Inflammation in my wrists gets bad and hurts even when I do minimal manual work anymore. We'd need to also get a backhoe and other accessories to go along with it. Just can't do much anymore. No need to get into a best brand fight here....

 

[airbiscuit]

A 4 series John Deere would be a nice tractor. I wouldn't rule out a 3 series either if you find a good deal.
I always struggle with the backhoe question. There a those who say they would never be without one. There are those who who say they seldom get used and/or are a pain to mount/dismount/store. For what they cost, I might go without on my CUT, and buy an old school industrial tractor/backhoe, or a cheap mini ex. YMMV

 

[ArlyA]

A 4 series John Deere would be a nice tractor. I wouldn't rule out a 3 series either if you find a good deal.
I always struggle with the backhoe question. There a those who say they would never be without one. There are those who who say they seldom get used and/or are a pain to mount/dismount/store. For what they cost, I might go without on my CUT, and buy an old school industrial tractor/backhoe, or a cheap mini ex. YMMV

JD's modern ones like on the 4 series seem pretty easy to get on/off.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I like to carry a steel cutter for my weed whacker as well as a circular disc chainsaw cutter for it as well. My steel cutter only has 4 cutters on it, and will only cut saplings up to about 1/2".

 

[airbiscuit]

JD's modern ones like on the 4 series seem pretty easy to get on/off.

Not something I'd like to do weekly.

 

[Smokeydog]

JD's modern ones like on the 4 series seem pretty easy to get on/off.

Sure like the Kubota TLBs for my mostly wooded hillside property. 4-post ROPS. Seat swivels so can reach backhoe controls to swing when operating forwards for balance. Heavier built than ag tractors. Great operator deck. Easy 3pt to backhoe change.
Feel your pain. Not as able to do as much hand work anymore. Recently bought a Precision miniclip this spring.
Most trees and limbs under 7”. Being able to reach up nearly 20’ a game changer. Cleared several acres worth of boarders and trail encroachment. Moved a least 100tons of debris. Today went over the areas with the Brown tree cutter to chop up, mulch and level to hopefully maintain with the flail cutter. Very little time spent using chainsaw or off the tractor. Wife impressed. Already being enjoyed by the deer and turkeys. Easy hunting for the owls

 

[ArlyA]

On the trails today for spring cleaning..

 

[hayden]

It's really easy (and fun) for all of us to spend your money, so here goes since I think my site and uses are pretty similar to yours.

I suspect snow removal will be part of any property that you would consisder, and I think you are in area that gets a lot of snow. If there is any chance that a snow blower on the tractor will be a consideration, I think you should strongly consider a cab. It makes such a huge difference when snow blowing. Also for other work around trees and limbs like for trail maintenance, the added personal protection from swings, slapping branches is another compelling reason for a cab. Plus you aren't sitting on a wet seat after it has rained and snowed, and the controlls will generally be better preserved vs sitting exposed all the time. In fact, I think teh only reason not to have a cab is cost. In every other way they are a big plus. I would never go back to an open station.

If you have a choice, I would get R1 Ag tires for your application rather than R4 Industrial tires like those in the picture you posted. Industrial tires are great on hard packed surfaces, but they really suck in mud and snow. The treads pack up with material and they turn into slicks. For anything other than hard packed surfaces, I think R1 tires are a much better choice. A size like the Deere 4 series, or a Kubota Grand L or MX series is probably the right size.

But cost is always a factor, and you gotta do what you gotta do...

 

[hayden]

And here's something else to think about. You have an ATV and use that a lot for a variety of tasks. Consider NOT buying a tractor, and instead get a mini excavator. Not one of the tiny piece of $hit things, but a 4-5 ton kubota or other quality brand. Dealing with that downed log in your picture would take literally seconds. You can dig, grade, and ditch trails, install culverts, reach up and grab hanging limbs, pull out or knock over trees that are in the way or growing into your trails. And an excavator works sooooo much better than a tractor mounted backhoe. For all my property maintenance, including miles of trail maintenance, I use an excavator for 5-10hrs for every hr that I use my tractor. The only way I use my tractor for trail maintenance is with the rear rotary mower to keep grasses cut. And you could potentially do that will a pull-behind mower and the ATV.

Only you can figure out what the right answer is for your needs, but give some thought to the above. The only down side to an excavator is that you need to track it everywhere, and the tracks chew up the ground more than a wheeled tractor, but that's not the end of the world unless you are on a finished lawn. And with some practice, you can do a lot of maneuvering with minimal ground damage.

 

[ArlyA]

And here's something else to think about. You have an ATV and use that a lot for a variety of tasks. Consider NOT buying a tractor, and instead get a mini excavator. Not one of the tiny piece of $hit things, but a 4-5 ton kubota or other quality brand. Dealing with that downed log in your picture would take literally seconds. You can dig, grade, and ditch trails, install culverts, reach up and grab hanging limbs, pull out or knock over trees that are in the way or growing into your trails. And an excavator works sooooo much better than a tractor mounted backhoe. For all my property maintenance, including miles of trail maintenance, I use an excavator for 5-10hrs for every hr that I use my tractor. The only way I use my tractor for trail maintenance is with the rear rotary mower to keep grasses cut. And you could potentially do that will a pull-behind mower and the ATV.

Only you can figure out what the right answer is for your needs, but give some thought to the above. The only down side to an excavator is that you need to track it everywhere, and the tracks chew up the ground more than a wheeled tractor, but that's not the end of the world unless you are on a finished lawn. And with some practice, you can do a lot of maneuvering with minimal ground damage.

How does one plow snow with a excavator?

 

[jjeff]

Get a plow for the 3/4 or 1 ton truck youll need to buy to haul it?

 

[hayden]

How does one plow snow with a excavator?

You don't, at least now very well, even if it has a blade. I thought you had a plow on your ATV? I was thinking you could use that.

 

[jjeff]

Suppose this is a tool that can be used for trail clearing. DeWalt 20 volt cordless pruning shears better half really likes it so do I. Super light easy to use even has an led light. Beats manual loppers and sheers even like it better than my newer cordless 8" top handle cordless pruning chainsaw for smaller brush and limbs.

 

[airbiscuit]

Some trees blew across my sister's driveway last night. I'll be taking my Echo CS2511TN to do it. At 5.2 lbs, Arly should treat himself to one if he gets that camp property.

 

[ArlyA]

Seen on the trails today. Hope to clear it tomorrow.

 

[Grumpycat]

Seen on the trails today. Hope to clear it tomorrow. View attachment 3519445

On dirtbike trails we liked to leave fallen trees like that in place. We’d cut a section out if diagonally across a trail on a hillside (a bit too much of a challenge for some). We figured something straight across a flat trail was a welcome challenge to ride over. Also it kept ATVs and SxSs off our trails.

 

[ArlyA]

On dirtbike trails we liked to leave fallen trees like that in place. We’d cut a section out if diagonally across a trail on a hillside (a bit too much of a challenge for some). We figured something straight across a flat trail was a welcome challenge to ride over. Also it kept ATVs and SxSs off our trails.

These are hike, mountain bike or snowshoe trails.

 

[JimRB]

CS2511TN

My CS2511T weighs about 8.5 pounds with some fuel, oil, 14" bar and chain. The dry weight specs of the T and TN are the same. I can't saw without fuel, oil, bar and chain. ;-) Nice light saw.