trail clearing technique and tools

[ArlyA]

I want to try to keep it lightweight. I have to cross a creek to get to the area where I'm working. And there are thorns that will puncture pneumatic tires.

What tools or equipment will you have with you?

 

[2manyrocks]

Bare minimum would be at least one Maasdsam rope puller, 50' rope, redirect pulley, strap, D ring, throw line w/bag, grapple hook/rope, Echo top handle saw, and a couple of bottles of water for me. I'd add a second puller setup for some of the work and may also carry a Echo PPF-225 pole saw.

I'm thinking of building a wooden wheelbarrow with oak handles, dual wheels from a lawn mower and 1/4 plywood for the box.

 

[ArlyA]

Bare minimum would be at least one Maasdsam rope puller, 50' rope, redirect pulley, strap, D ring, throw line w/bag, grapple hook/rope, Echo top handle saw, and a couple of bottles of water for me. I'd add a second puller setup for some of the work and may also carry a Echo PPF-225 pole saw.

I'm thinking of building a wooden wheelbarrow with oak handles, dual wheels from a lawn mower and 1/4 plywood for the box.

When we hike in, we use backpacks made for that task. All other times and we have more junk along, it goes in our machines box. You have a lot of items you'd like along so I don't have any smart ideas. If you have hills, carts or wheelbarrows could be problematic. If we had thorns, I'd dope the wheels on our 6x6.

 

[kenmbz]

My trail survey yesterday. Many of the dead Ash have come down or dropped the larger branches, and of course most fell across the trail.. Still plenty standing though, even the bark is coming off them, not sure what's holding them up.
I foresee a lot of chainsaw work ahead.

Branch almost three times my height feel from top of ash and is firmly embedded in the ground.

 

[Rockbadchild]

first picture was a winter trail once the snow melted

same place after all the stumps have been cut and dead limb moved

 

[ArlyA]

first picture was a winter trail once the snow melted
View attachment 794308

same place after all the stumps have been cut and dead limb moved
View attachment 794309

We do a lot more limb removal than whats pictured here This is to ease later work.

 

[MossRoad]

I like to make trails with my PT425 and 4' brush cutter for a start. It goes about anywhere I'd want to be able to walk, and takes down everything 2" or smaller to ground level. If there's anything larger than that, I drive around it if at all possible. Anything about 8" or so in diameter that I can't just shove out of the way with the PT425 that's lying on the ground, I just drive over and keep going. I'll come back later with a chainsaw and cut anything that's laying in the trail and push it to the side.

I've made about 2 miles of trails on our 20 acres in this manner. Works great.

 

[Rockbadchild]

I went through a young aspen forest and that was hell … (see pictures attached) it was so thick you couldn’t even walk through it… i had to cut slash on the side of the trails to have a place to throw the aspen in … it took a lot of effort and time … usually the easiest is to stay in the mature forest it is more open, there are only branches tu cut … in my case I didn’t have a choice …

 

[ArlyA]

Looking at this summer trail work today. On a side note, I'm negotiating with the Monks at the Society of Saint John monastery about clearing thier trails this summer. Ya, these are all what we groom.

 

[airbiscuit]

Are you going to be paid with pastries and jam?