Brushmowing Trails. Looking for recommendations.

[jkahan]

Looking for what people use to brushhog (brush mowers) trails -- I have about 9 miles of trails - all accessible by atvs, tractors, etc... but a lot of them are steep; I generally only use a tracked atv, tracked Kubota RTV, or excavator... There are places where wheeled vehicles are either going to get stuck or do damage to the trails. Thinking of a tow-behind brush mower - two popular brands are of course Swisher and DR.. I actually have (well my neighbor has it now) an old DR walk-behind brush mower and it is a beast and awesome but using it for all these trails is impractical and it won't make it all the way around (even with chains). It "appears" (based on reviews) that the DR tow-behind models have some problems with reliability and repair metrics. I also have a brush cutter on my mini but it is impractical for covering long distances as one can't cut while moving with it (flow metrics).. So looking for recommendations / experiences and sorry for the rambling.

Obligatory Kubota photo...

 

[tradosaurus]

Is this your property with 9 miles of trails?

 

[ArlyA]

As you state, Swisher and DR are very light weight machines. Are you looking for something to tow behind a atv?

 

[2manyrocks]

I have no personal experience with them, but Rammy makes a front mount self powered brush mower and there are various other brands of self powered tow behind flail mowers.

 

[ArlyA]

I'd get a Chapman fail tow behind. Yes, more costly.

 

[ssgp2]

IMHO, you are on the right track as far as the tow behind. With the steep hills you mention, my concern would be with stability of the tow behind while going down hill. Turn limit stops and angle pivot stops would probably need to be fabricated to prevent it from coming around into the side (jacknife) and to prevent it from rising up and over to smite thee in the back of the head. Unless you mount it rigid to back of the tow vehicle. As far as brand, I don't have much experience with either, but have also heard of reliability issues with DR. Here in Texas, I do see more DR than anything else though.

 

[jkahan]

As you state, Swisher and DR are very light weight machines. Are you looking for something to tow behind a atv?

yes - at this point, I think the only way to brushhog these trails is behind my tracked ATV or tracket side-by-side (Kubota RTV).

 

[jkahan]

thanks all for the replies

 

[ArlyA]

Tracked skid steer?

 

[jkahan]

Tracked skid steer?

might rent one -- would love to own one but already have too much crap. thanks.

 

[ArlyA]

I've got lots of experience with podded ATV's, UTV's and at my last job tracked skid steers but no idea how they are (skid S) are on steep grades.

 

[2manyrocks]

The price tag of those CTLs is enough to stop a lot of people from finding out how well they handle slopes. That could be a good thing because a slope is not the place to learn how to operate one. I looked into rentals and was warned that turning the wrong way can loose a track, and putting a track back on a 10,000 lb machine while on a slope isn't something you ever want to do.

 

[big bubba]

OP: i commend you for facing the challenge mechanically rather than chemical warfare.
best in finding the right machine. seems to me would get easier through the years once tackled

 

[jkahan]

Again, thanks to all for the replies... just placed an order for a Kunz tow behind brush mower - with options -- $6K -- seems to be well liked in the xc ski trail community - fyi dealing with Matt Kunz was awesome. Again - thanks for all the info.

 

[Hay Dude]

The price tag of those CTLs is enough to stop a lot of people from finding out how well they handle slopes. That could be a good thing because a slope is not the place to learn how to operate one. I looked into rentals and was warned that turning the wrong way can loose a track, and putting a track back on a 10,000 lb machine while on a slope isn't something you ever want to do.

I’ve done that on a slope. It’s not terrible, but its something to avoid. Upper side track.
Renting one would be a good way to see if the op likes/not likes.
I rent them 3-5 times a year for large brush mowing work.

 

[scootr]

Again, thanks to all for the replies... just placed an order for a Kunz tow behind brush mower - with options -- $6K -- seems to be well liked in the xc ski trail community - fyi dealing with Matt Kunz was awesome. Again - thanks for all the info.

Let us know how it works for you

 

[aesanders]

Sounds like I am late, but from your description a Steiner or Ventrac with quad dual wheels sounds perfect. Can mount a brush cutter or flail on the front.

 

[jyoutz]

Goats for the steep areas.

 

[jkahan]

Goats for the steep areas.

Agree - that's what the Swiss were using in the Alps (at least where I was back in 1991)

 

[brewdog]

I use a 48" flail mower behind my tractor for trails. None of my trails are real challenging. Works great for my needs.