trail clearing technique and tools

[2manyrocks]

With the chainsaw style blade, it's important to keep it out of the dirt to keep from dulling the teeth. I've still hit a few rocks while cutting heavy brush in spite of making a serious effort to avoid rocks. The chainsaw style blade tends to sling cutting debris more than any other metal blade I've ever used in my experience. I wouldn't recommend using one without wearing full face protection.

I only use trimmer string around the house and can see why ArlyA prefers heavy line.

 

[kenmbz]

The blades I use are good for anything from Stiltgrass (2-3' tall) to 3" Autumn Olive.
The chainsaw types always just got wrapped and dull for me.
String for the edges of the cleared paths on the smaller trimmer.
Handlebars on the brushcutter. Would hate to see what that would be like with regular handles.

The autumn Olive, multiflora rose and the berry vines laugh at the .095, it just bounces off or wraps on many. Will need to try the large strings that Arly has had success with.

But when I am out on the trails, the brushcutter and pole saw always cover my needs.

Some of the fake grape vines are 3-4" thick, and being able to go from thick grass to cutting vines with one tool lets me keep moving the whole time. The renegade blades can't be sharpened though.

The Stiltgrass is a constant chore, spray, trimmer etc. to keep it in check.
The first year we had it take over, I did 60 dump carts (6-8cubic feet each run) full of removal just on my flower beds.
Last year down to 6.
That stuff grows through bushes and it looks like the deer track the seeds through the woods, though they won't eat the stuff.

When the trails are cleared of rocks I just use the flail to keep them that way, once the branches and other random stuff is cleared each year. I have 2 more trails and the rest of the back acre to finish clearing.

 

[ning]

I use heavy line (155) for grasses, bunch grass, oak saplings and light blackberry. It's overkill for the grass, takes a while to destroy a bunchgrass but finally manages to do so.

It doesn't work on heavy blackberry (Himalayan) or saplings over a centimeter. I swap to nylon blades for blackberry, but there's only one area I'm not able to hog or pull it out so that's tolerable.

Fire danger here's ridiculously high so metal blades remain a fantasy.

 

[ning]

Those of you using a heavy long-extended power pole saw only occasionally for really high stuff - how high? Have you considered a manual pole saw for those?

With two segments I can cut oak branches up to 3" in seconds (thicker obviously takes longer especially if dried oak) that are 15-18' off the ground; 4 segments and I can cut 25' (though this gets squirrelly because of the flex) and still the entire pole saw weighs only about 10# with the full length.

 

[bcp]

Attacking blackberries at 9:15.

Bruce

 

[kenmbz]

Those of you using a heavy long-extended power pole saw only occasionally for really high stuff - how high? Have you considered a manual pole saw for those?

With two segments I can cut oak branches up to 3" in seconds (thicker obviously takes longer especially if dried oak) that are 15-18' off the ground; 4 segments and I can cut 25' (though this gets squirrelly because of the flex) and still the entire pole saw weighs only about 10# with the full length.View attachment 759161

I use a manual pole saw that also has a cliper for high branches and tops of tall bushes.
Certainly a handful extended, but certainly useful with a nice sharp blade.

 

[two_bit_score]

Well...I think they are pushing the battery powered pole saws by not stocking the gas ones.

I'd like to compare the weight and leverage exerted by the gas powered options. I ordered a telescoping Echo gas pole saw a few weeks ago. When it got here, the weight was just too much for me and I returned it.

If they would actually stock what they sell on line to compare in the store, it would make it easier to choose something. There are two models of lighter Echo gas saws that I'd really like to compare...but they aren't stocked near me.

Around me box stores seem to be pushing battery tools.

Shops catering to pros have a few battery units but are still well stocked with gas trimmers, pole saws, chain saws, mowers, etc.

 

[ultrarunner]

All the pros have to use certain battery tools in city limits and all municipal departments spending a bundle on new equipment!

 

[2manyrocks]

For the past couple of days, I have thought about starting a thread asking what we have today that years from now we'll wish we still had or could buy again. IDK, maybe a two stroke chainsaw or trimmer may be on the list?

 

[bcp]

For the past couple of days, I have thought about starting a thread asking what we have today that years from now we'll wish we still had or could buy again. IDK, maybe a two stroke chainsaw or trimmer may be on the list?

Gasoline.



Bruce