My first road

[1bush2hog]

Just an FYI - the US forestry website has some very useful information and diagrams regarding road and trail building and handling runoff. Sorry I don't have the link handy but a search and some time will point you in the right direction.

If you can't locate it, and you are interested, PM me and I will dig thru some of the info I printed off, scan and email you.

Keep us updated on your progress!

One more question, I am curious as to why did you decided to use your tractor and BH to do this vs. hiring a dozer? I am in the initial stages of planning some additional roads/trails on my property and can use all the advice I can get.

Thanks.

 

[fivestring]

Cool !!!
I've done a lot of backpacking up around your area ---
Mortimer, Edgemont, Table Rock, Hawksbill..............

Beautiful area.

Have they paved all the roads up there yet????? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[sherpa]

I am on my second road and its a lot more fun! I was really nervous on that first road. I am building these roads for access to my property. I also need to harvest some of the mature timber. I am now driving my tractors where I could not even walk a week ago. Its Awesome! I was trying to scout around to make sure I was headed in the right direction with this road. I was 10 feet away from my tractor and could not even stand up without holding onto a tree or limb. Now the tractor is sitting on level ground in a road where I could not even stand! This is so much fun. It feels like I bought more land. This is all taking place on 5.5 acres. I dont like much, (90 feet) being to the federal land that joins my property. I plan to build 2 more roads and then try to tie them together.
Sherpa

 

[sherpa]

1bush2hog,
Thanks for the tip. I need to check that out. A timber buyer was here and looked at my road and said I did not have to worry about water breaks. He said it had plenty of natural water breaks on it. I guess since its steep enough the water will take care of its self.
Sherpa

 

[sherpa]

fivestring
They may never pave the roads in this area. The roads are maintained by DOT but they have to get permission from the forest service before they can do anything to the roads. The forest service could care less about having roads here close to their creeks. I have to drive 10 miles of dirt roads to get anywhere but I kinda of like it though. I only see about 5 vehicles all day long. It takes about 2 hours to go get Diesel fuel and get back.
Sherpa

 

[sherpa]

1bush2hog,
Your question was:
I am curious as to why did you decided to use your tractor and BH to do this vs. hiring a dozer? I am in the initial stages of planning some additional roads/trails on my property and can use all the advice I can get.

I started to rent a dozer at $1150.00 per week. Then I thought to myself, this is the reason I bought the Kubota B20 TLB to start with. I started a road a year ago and couldnt get it turned right. I logger came to look at my timber and as he walked past my tractor he ask, why dont you cut your own road? I explain to him that I had started a road and showed it to him. He said follow me. We walked back up into the woods and he started marking limbs with ribbon. He said follow the ribbons and you can build your road. I took off on the tractor the next day and I been digging ever since. He said a dozer would do it faster but I already had the tractor and all the time in the world so I decided to do it myself. I also wanted small narror roads not big wide roads. I am very pleased with my progress.
Sherpa

 

[Slippy]

I'm wondering about the method u used to do this. I assume you back up the road and use your back hoe to dig out what you need to, then what. Move the dirt off with backhoe or turn the tractor around and use the loader?
I have been using my loader w/ toothbar and box blade. A lot of times I will tilt the box blade to get the angle on the trail I need. What has been the most time effective way for you, and how long does it take you to go 20 or 30 yards? Never even really thought about using my back hoe.

 

[Egon]

Very nice looking roads. Youv'e done an excellent job.

Egon

 

[sherpa]

Slippy
I back up the road and dig with the backhoe off the high side of the slope and place and or drag the dirt to the lower side to form a ledge on the side of the mountain. I continue doing this for awhile and then I get my other tractor and go over it with the box blade or pulverisor. It turns it into a nice road. It goes very quickly as long as I dont hit rock or large tree roots. It really slows down if I have to cut a tree and dig up the stump. Its a real reward being able to do this yourself.
I am now driving on land that I had to walk, crawl or climb to just last week! I will post some more pics when I get back out there.
Sherpa