trail clearing technique and tools

[ArlyA]

Looks like we'll be blazing single track trails on Saturday.

 

[ArlyA]

Blazed about 3/4 mile of trails today (One way)

 

[Gem99ultra]

Blazed about 3/4 mile of trails today (One way) View attachment 874544View attachment 874545View attachment 874546View attachment 874547

That's a LOT of walking! I bet your 'dogs' are tired

On a serious note, that's a very commendable effort that you and your family members put out. And not just once - but on a continous basis. It's sad that you've gotten so little of voluntary help and funding. A Glad Hand only goes so far...

I can truly empathsize, having been a Little League coach for a number of years. No help, no assistance - monitarily nor physical, lots of responsibilty, and somehow it became my responbility. It's sort of like the story like "I run the train, but I'm not allowed to blow the whisle. But you let that train run off the tracks, and see who catches hell."

Many of us on here tip our hats off to you all. Thanks Arly and family!

PS We sure enjoy the picutes and notes. Don't stop.

 

[kenmbz]

Since we have so many dead ash along my short trails, it's been to dangerous to maintain them.
A few already dropped onto the trail and still a few more large dead trees shedding limbs.
But the trail from my garage through to the shared road is in good shape, so I went along it and knocked down the weeds and brush.

 

[sd455dan]

It's never ending at our place. Fortunately, I can just drive the PT brush cutter around it and re-route our trail if I want. Or, just make a cut in the middle and push each half to a side.

Same except there is a family member owned sand beach on a river which we haven't been able to visit for a few years- it is over grown with growth.

The river has moved and reestablishing a trail is going to be a job. Water level needs to drop a few feet before we can work on it.
The brush was so thick, we never even made it to the old beach yesterday but working on a plan for next month.

To start with the 550 backhoe, Rhino tractor with grapple, brush cutter , box blade, rake. chainsaws, DR brush cutter, blade on new echo spin trim, pole saw, etc. Oh and a couple strong kids, getting to old for this

 

[airbiscuit]

I was just out mowing a trail I made last year. It's still a little rough, but coming along. As I was mowing, I was thinking it was a lot thicker and a pain in the a** making it, than it appears now. It took a lot more effort than one would think now that it's been tamed.

 

[ArlyA]

That's a LOT of walking! I bet your 'dogs' are tired

On a serious note, that's a very commendable effort that you and your family members put out. And not just once - but on a continous basis. It's sad that you've gotten so little of voluntary help and funding. A Glad Hand only goes so far...

I can truly empathsize, having been a Little League coach for a number of years. No help, no assistance - monitarily nor physical, lots of responsibilty, and somehow it became my responbility. It's sort of like the story like "I run the train, but I'm not allowed to blow the whisle. But you let that train run off the tracks, and see who catches hell."

Many of us on here tip our hats off to you all. Thanks Arly and family!

PS We sure enjoy the picutes and notes. Don't stop.

I could write a book of "suggestions for you to do" for help but then hear "I'm to busy" to do anything but keyboard more smart suggestions.

The suggestions = I'm so smart, I give no $$$ either.

 

[ArlyA]

Our doing some whacking of weeds n trees today. The "smoke" in the top photo is moisture coming off the cut grass. It was lightly raining as we worked today. If you are new here, we only run .155 string.

 

[ArlyA]

In sub 70 degree weather today a great crew helped us do more blazing today.

 

[ArlyA]

Our clearing a portion of the NCT that our elderly friend can't do much on anymore. Some before and after pics.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

Commitment is too strong to back away huh? Good on you either way

 

[ArlyA]

Some logs had to be cut for removal.

 

[ArlyA]

Clearing a North Country Trail parking lot yeterday. Why do people leave them overgrown?? Clearing then is soooooo important. This took less than a 1/2 an hour to do. My poor pics doesn't show this but the whole lot was done.

 

[ArlyA]

Trail work over the 4th.

 

[ArlyA]

You guys seen enough? Cut this big ol cedar off last summer. When we are whacking out a section, we don't bring a saw along. If something is found across the trail, we return with appropriate sized saw.

 

[ArlyA]

Was at Chassell township trails today to help them clear weeds n shoots. Had 4 units going there. New roll of .155 showed up today. We use these up in 2 or 3 years.

 

[ArlyA]

Operating 155 string is easy, fun and safe. No need for any face protection...

 

[John_Mc]

Operating 155 string is easy, fun and safe. No need for any face protection... View attachment 880005

I read the summary of your comment in my email notification, which did not include the picture. I was thinking "how crazy IS this guy?!" I did not pick up in the sarcasm until I viewed the whole post with the picture.

 

[ArlyA]

Did some minor clearing on the NCT on Saturday. By minor, I mean we could only do a bit. Here is some before and after shots.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Ha! No face nor arm protection Results are as shown in the pix.
I'm only able to use105 string in my trimmer. Did about 2 hours with it yesterday in some underbrush not nearly as dense as you see on a daily basis. After 2 hours I was totally beat, and looked like it as well. Even with eye protection, gloves and arm protection I looked like I'd been through war.
My hat's off to you and your crew, i.e. family, occasional helpful friends, and always - your dogs.