SCUT cutting Fire Breaks, Best Tools?

[dieselscout80]

Just came across this on E-Bay. Nifty looking implement and not to hard to build if you have access to the parts.

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That’s a firebreak plow.

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

That’s a firebreak plow.

Only thing I've ever seen one used for was to clean irrigation ditches.

But I live in steep granitic mountains, and mechanical equipment is seldom used to cut fire breaks. So, the ones I have seen may have been repurposed.

 

[dieselscout80]

Only thing I've ever seen one used for was to clean irrigation ditches.

But I live in steep granitic mountains, and mechanical equipment is seldom used to cut fire breaks. So, the ones I have seen may have been repurposed.

We had ditchers that were similar but the blades that cleaned the sediment out were much longer see attached picture.

That one has two disc blades (great for not getting caught on roots) and is much heavier than needed for cleaning ditches.

 

[oosik]

I live in NE Wa state. 25 miles SW of Spokane. Almost 100% of our fires are wildfires and are wind driven. Back, many years ago, I created a fire break with my rototiller. I have 80 acres and this firebreak was 12 feet wide and just around my house and out buildings. About 850 feet if rototilled firebreak.

Then 16 years ago - here comes the first wildfire. The WaterMellon Hill wildfire. From atop a very tall bunn - I watched it coming right at my property from the West. A change in wind direction saved my property from totally being burned.

I learned a very valuable lesson 16 years ago. My meager fire break would have had no effect on this wildfire. The wind was lobbing "fire bombs" up to 1/4 mile ahead of the fire.

IT WAS THE CHANGE IN WIND DIRECTION THAT SAVED MY PROPERTY.

However - I would suggest either a rototiller or disk harrow if you do need a fire break. The heaviest your tractor can handle.

 

[alinarizwan]

For SCUT cutting fire breaks, a brush cutter with a metal blade works really well for thick grass and small shrubs. For heavier work, a chainsaw or a walk-behind brush mower can save a lot of time. Just make sure all tools are well-maintained and you have proper safety gear.

 

[chim]

Wildfires are one thing we don't experience here. The only knowledge I have is from watching news and YouTube. The horrifying things I've seen make me believe the fire breaks need to be MILES wide when the big fires start rolling.

 

[jyoutz]

How many bonus points for being ex-vol. rural firefighter AND a BX owner?

Dirt is better than low grass, so I wouldn't consider any mower.

On the bucket I'd use a Ratchet Rake or Pirahna toothbar, not the conventional digging-style toothbar.

On the rear I would try an offset disc before buying anything powered and much more expensive.

Subject to change for your conditions, of course.

Bruce

An offset disc on a BX? Doubtful that would be useful.

 

[jyoutz]

Wildfires are one thing we don't experience here. The only knowledge I have is from watching news and YouTube. The horrifying things I've seen make me believe the fire breaks need to be MILES wide when the big fires start rolling.

No fire line will stop a running crown fire. Firelines are used to burn out from and burn out fuels ahead of the wild fire.

 

[chim]

No fire line will stop a running crown fire. Firelines are used to burn out from and burn out fuels ahead of the wild fire.

Thanks. I learned something today.