I was told it is a bad idea...hold my beer!

Tiptoo · May 11, 2019

Just took a buddy on a hike to the top using the south side trail. He advised me to stop

dfkrug · May 11, 2019

Tiptoo said:
Just took a buddy on a hike to the top using the south side trail. He advised me to stop

Stop hiking or stop building trails?

In this photo, it looks like your cut-bank is about 100% slope (45-deg). It is really hard to tell what pitch your trail slopes are.
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...400-i-told-bad-idea-hold-20190503_122436-jpeg

I have added a bunch to my trails this spring, too. Not with my tractor, as the R4 tires can't really get up more than about 25% grade (3/12 pitch), and they are too narrow to drive on safely anyway. This season, I am using my new mini-X, and it seems to be able to get up about 40% max grade if the conditions are right. I am setting my max trail pitch at 33% (4/12), so I can walk it comfortably and get down safely in an ATV without sliding (new tires & 4x4). I use a 4-ft level and a 16" gauge stick to measure as I go.

Tiptoo · May 11, 2019

Nice work! I wish I had a mini excavator.

He said stop with the tractorin'

. The south trail is 35°-40°for most of it and no real digging. I'm just clearing brush going straight up a ridge. Now I'm into 45°/100% slope on that ridge. My R4s wont hold if muddy but will do ok when dry and clean. I'm barely managing and lost my ability to dig moving forward. I can only drag bucket point down, flattening 2ft each go. I should stop. I knocked a football size rock under one of my tires and about had to change my pants.

Cross cut trail, I've hit a large gully and not sure where to go. Build a bridge?

Prob cheaper to rent a mini ex for a week.

dfkrug · May 11, 2019

Tiptoo said:
Cross cut trail, I've hit a large gully and not sure where to go. Build a bridge?

I either build a ford, a bridge, or lay culverts. I have all of these on my property.

I just converted the ford over my year-round creek with this culvert. I just scored some 24" PVC pressure pipe. I will prob have to sandbag it next fall, or it will flood.

Tiptoo · Jun 17, 2019

Edging my way around the south side.

Tiptoo · Jul 8, 2019

I'm a little farther than this....I just forgot to take more pics after I put 9 more hours digging on the 4th.

goeduck · Jul 9, 2019

Progress! Good job !

dragoneggs · Jul 9, 2019

Yes quite the slope. For those of you flatlands... no disrespect intended, this is challenging work!

deezler · Jul 12, 2019

Looking great! Keep being safe - don't get complacent up there.

Did you make it to the top yet? Looks like your getting to a kind of plateau area up there, at least.

/pine · Jul 12, 2019

Tiptoo said:
Nice work! I wish I had a mini excavator.

He said stop with the tractorin' . The south trail is 35ｰ-40ｰfor most of it and no real digging. I'm just clearing brush going straight up a ridge. Now I'm into 45ｰ/100% slope on that ridge. My R4s wont hold if muddy but will do ok when dry and clean. I'm barely managing and lost my ability to dig moving forward. I can only drag bucket point down, flattening 2ft each go. I should stop. I knocked a football size rock under one of my tires and about had to change my pants.

Cross cut trail, I've hit a large gully and not sure where to go. Build a bridge?

Prob cheaper to rent a mini ex for a week.

How far up the hill have you progressed?...is this going to be a walking trail or do you have another vehicle (like a 4 wheeler etc) you're planning on using...?