Rails side & Track Maintence

[Timber]

I'm getting ready to do some maintenance clearing on my rail side through our industrial park. I have ground level access in & out of my warehouse but not at my compound. I also brought several implements with for the job at hand. My trailers are equipped with 5000 lb rail gates & had no problem lifting my B7800 into the trailer. It was nice to be able to transport everything all at once. I needed my Brush cutter, Man lift, Box Blade, & 72" rake.

 

[Timber]

I have quite a bit of work to do, I spent $4000 on the initial clearing of the line into my new facility. I still have several trees to take down and lots of liming to do. It is suppose to be clear 15' from the center of the rail to each side up to 17' high.

 

[Timber]

This is my 1st time running through this so their is some hidden obstructions such as large stones & stumps cut too high. Mostly vegetation though, as I go through it I can remove what I can so it will be easier the next time

 

[Timber]

I do have a bit of work left to do but here is some of the progress pictures so far

 

[kebo]

Interesting project. Approximately how many feet of rail are you having to maintain? I guess the spur runs out to a switch on a mainline?? Just curious, but what kind of material or products will the rail cars be transporting from/to your facility?

 

[jimmysisson]

And how are you limbing up 17'? I'd think there'd be lots of ballast to run the mower into - do you keep it high?
Jim

 

[Timber]

Interesting project. Approximately how many feet of rail are you having to maintain? I guess the spur runs out to a switch on a mainline?? Just curious, but what kind of material or products will the rail cars be transporting from/to your facility?

I inbound rolls of paper from the Midwest & Canada.I'm sure it is over 1000 feet to the next spur that is my sole responsibility but is a good 1/2 mile out to the main line with shared responsibility. Unfortunately the current arrangement has me responsible to the next switch up. Their are 3 of us the will be maintaining the line after the 1st of the year. We have 2 deadbeats that are closer to the main line so they tend to resist any of the shared expenses. I have spent almost 25 grand on this line so far this year replacing ties & putting in a new switch so I can double switch my cars near my building.

 

[Timber]

And how are you limbing up 17'? I'd think there'd be lots of ballast to run the mower into - do you keep it high?
Jim

Hi Jim,
I have a man basket that I use with a set of forks on the loader. I also have a 10' gas powered poll saw for liming off the branches that overhang the tracks. I will be cutting back several trees also that are to close to the rail. The man basket on the tractor is a perfect combination to trim through the wood along the track. Much of the lower brush I do back over with the cutter high and lower it down onto it. What ever it takes to get the job done.

 

[TripleR]

Did you build the man basket or buy it? I plan on something like that. If I can't buy one, I will have my sons build one. For really high work, we rent a cherry picker, but for many applications, what you have would be just the ticket.

 

[savageactor7]

I really like that man basket...gives me some ideas on the bi-yearly pole saw topping of all our cedar trees easier. :thumbsup: