trail clearing technique and tools

[hayden]

What do you use for GPS? I use either GiaiaGPs or Huntstand to map the trails and tune up stand locations in a Paint app. Here is our 80 acre hunting area.

View attachment 766711

I've been using Gaia as well, and have historically been doing my map work in ArcGIS. But recently I switched to QGIS for mapping which I really like. I haven't tried it yet, but it's available to run on an iPad so my goal is to get map creation and field work all on a single platform. So far that has been elusive, but I'm optimistic that I am close to getting there.

Here's an example map with top lines. I can also overlay on sat photos, etc.

 

[airbiscuit]

I like doing the planning and mapping. I probably have 40% more trails than I originally planned, but when I finish one, I think "just one more" ...

 

[ArlyA]

We had our Stihl BR-800 C-E MAGNUM leave blower on the trails today. This is a powerful machine and we should have got one years ago. This beast will blow wet leaves, rocks and branches off and the dogs will stay clear of its blast! .

 

[cqaigy2]

I've never used one of those blowers. Can you switch back and forth left hand right hand? I imagine there's a bit of pressure pushing on you, and may tire the arm some.

 

[ArlyA]

I've never used one of those blowers. Can you switch back and forth left hand right hand? I imagine there's a bit of pressure pushing on you, and may tire the arm some.

No, since the air tube goes to ones right, I can't see how to use it with your left hand.

 

[bcp]

Make handlebars, like a brush cutter, but offset a bit.

Bruce

 

[ning]

I've never used one of those blowers. Can you switch back and forth left hand right hand? I imagine there's a bit of pressure pushing on you, and may tire the arm some.

I haven't used one either, but from what I see the air rushing out of the tube will push it backwards and possibly put a torque on the whole person, but the hand it more just directing the flow left/right/up/down. Seems like it would be a lot less stress than using a hand-held blower where the entire stabilization requires the whole arm from the wrist on up - the handheld induces stress everywhere even just holding it steady, while I'd think the backpack unit wouldn't affect the arm much except to move the nozzle around? @ArlyA will have to tell us

 

[ArlyA]

I haven't used one either, but from what I see the air rushing out of the tube will push it backwards and possibly put a torque on the whole person, but the hand it more just directing the flow left/right/up/down. Seems like it would be a lot less stress than using a hand-held blower where the entire stabilization requires the whole arm from the wrist on up - the handheld induces stress everywhere even just holding it steady, while I'd think the backpack unit wouldn't affect the arm much except to move the nozzle around? @ArlyA will have to tell us

Here is some "close ups" of the blow tube and its controls. I'm not seeing how "handle bars" would change this setup to be on your left. This machine does indeed push back and twist on the operator but I got used it in about 3 steps. The controls are nice and require little effort.

 

[bcp]

Handlebars wouldn't put it on the left, but would somewhat share the load with both arms.

Bruce

 

[ning]

Handlebars wouldn't put it on the left, but would somewhat share the load with both arms.

Bruce

I think handlebars would actually increase the load for both arms in this case, because there's so little load in the first place and handlebars have mass of their own.
The end of the blower controlled by the right hand is lightweight and most of the thrust goes to the backpack.