trail clearing technique and tools

[Grumpycat]

A simple Bauer battery electric chainsaw:

 

[JimRB]

How do you get the rope 30' up, especially on say a 6-8" trunk?

One use case I can see with the jack is that it doesn't need an anchor.
With these smaller trees that make wedging difficult I usually use my rope come-along -- the stretch in the rope is a plus in this case because with decent tension on the rope, it continues to pull for just a bit longer than a wire cable, but you still need an anchor in the direction you're felling, and if there's no good tree that way, and you can't get a truck or tractor there... the jack could be useful.
Useful enough to pay for one? Not me, on this land, but I can imagine a place where it could be useful - especially if you're working on someone else's property and can't position a truck just anywhere.

I use a toss bag and pull string, or get out the slingshot with trigger to launch toss bag and pull string, then pull a bull rope. Amazon.com

 

[ning]

I use a toss bag and pull string, or get out the slingshot with trigger to launch toss bag and pull string, then pull a bull rope. Amazon.com

So you toss it over a branch in one direction, then go behind the tree and toss it back so that the rope goes around the tree? Assuming there's no crotch.

 

[Runner]

So you toss it over a branch in one direction, then go behind the tree and toss it back so that the rope goes around the tree? Assuming there's no crotch.

If I'm reading him correctly, I think you toss the throwball over a branch at the height you want and let it drop to the ground. Then, you take the throwball off and tie the throwline to the rope. Pull the rope over the branch (close to the main stem of the tree) so you now have both ends of the rope on the ground.

Once you have it where you want it for pulling, then tie a bowline knot in one end of the rope and put the other end through the bowline loop and pull the end of the rope so the bowline goes up the tree and the rope is now girthed around the trunk. Then, pull in the direction needed.

 

[ning]

If I'm reading him correctly, I think you toss the throwball over a branch at the height you want and let it drop to the ground. Then, you take the throwball off and tie the throwline to the rope. Pull the rope over the branch (close to the main stem of the tree) so you now have both ends of the rope on the ground.

Once you have it where you want it for pulling, then tie a bowline knot in one end of the rope and put the other end through the bowline loop and pull the end of the rope so the bowline goes up the tree and the rope is now girthed around the trunk. Then, pull in the direction needed.

Thanks, I get that picture - makes sense.

 

[2manyrocks]

There are several helpful YT videos on getting a line into a tree. I may be the worse bag thrower in the world so I try to place a line using an extendable boat hook where I can. Can't reach 30' up with a boat hook, however.

Would also say that there's some kind of slick coating on these throw lines that makes them slide over tree crotches more easily than normal line, and these lines are pretty strong for their size.

Back to trail clearing....I tried a brush blade about a year ago that was very good for shredding briars, but was just a bit heavy for my Echo. Stumbled across this shorter and lighter version that spins up nicely and yet maintains its momentum while shredding briars. Still very important to wear the appropriate safety gear while using these things, but this is the best blade I've found for this task.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SM4HXPK?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

 

[MossRoad]

There are several helpful YT videos on getting a line into a tree. I may be the worse bag thrower in the world so I try to place a line using an extendable boat hook where I can. Can't reach 30' up with a boat hook, however.
....

I've had one of these 23' Mr. LongArm telescoping painter poles for many years. Couple that with my 8' reach and I can hit over 30' from the ground. You can adapt many attachments to the painter pole threads. I used it for my Christmas tree in the yard for years, then bought a 16' ladder and worked off of that. Tree outgrew that, now I'm using fishing bow and arrow to shoot line over tree that's about 55'.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Mr-LongArm-Alumiglass-8-2-ft-to-23-2-ft-Telescoping-Threaded-Extension-Pole/50428086

 

[2manyrocks]

There's a channel on YouTube called Finnish Lumberjack. He has a spring loaded hook to which a rope is attached that he puts up in trees with a telescoping pole. He pushes the hook in the open position against the tree trunk and then the spring locks it in place. It is apparently something sold in Europe, but I haven't been able to find a USA source for it.

 

[kenmbz]

It always seems that the branch or crotch I need to throw the line over is 60+ feet up.

Got a wrist rocket sling shot, plan to use it this winter to drag down some dead ash branches, and maybe even the whole tree if I am lucky.
Using a sling and pully to direct away from pulling tractor or truck.
With 200' of bull rope, it worked pretty well so far to get some branches out from the canopy.

they do sell the pole sling shots, but they are costly. Heard they work great though.
Like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Jameson-Throw-Launcher-Starter-FG-BS-KIT2/dp/B091BF1XKM/ref=asc_df_B091BF1XKM?mcid=144ae3518f5e3142a6e0bfc10b2a9d32&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693712983265&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=43467408102143561&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007195&hvtargid=pla-1958348166202&psc=1

 

[ArlyA]

Found three new dead-falls on the trail we care for today. Snow is coming.