trail clearing technique and tools

[Frankenkubota]

Well something does fall on trees here. Its snow, and it breaks many shoots off. But some survive and grow with this dog leg in them.

i read that when building chariots, the romans etc would search for trees similar to that for the rounded front rail of the chariot.

 

[ArlyA]

This is kind of what our kiosk will look like. Would you guys like to see it in this thread? Or start a new one?

 

[kenmbz]

Start a new thread on the build? Should be interesting to follow.

 

[airbiscuit]

A new thread would be nice.

A little off topic, but we were snowmobiling in Manitoba, and in the middle of nowhere, there was a small warming house with benches, and a wood stove for heat and a top you could cook on. Outside was a supply of wood for the stove. It was miles from any road. I am guessing built and maintained by a snowmobile (snow machine) club, or maybe just a few generous locals. In any case, it was a fun place to stop, whether or not you were cold.

 

[ArlyA]

Give me some time guys and I'll start a thread about the kiosk. I'm still working on it but its so, so simple, don't have much to show. The back will just be a piece of 3/4 plywood you staple your notices to.

 

[airbiscuit]

Is the XC ski trail you're building on public land or on your land?

 

[ArlyA]

Is the XC ski trail you're building on public land or on your land?

Its privet forestry land and the owners (not us) sold public access to it. They still have 100% of it and control motorized access. We obviously work with them doing this or that.

 

[airbiscuit]

The only reason I asked was to be curious about the potential for lighting, Many years ago, our County put lighting on a XC Ski Trail. Given how early it gets dark, that was pretty cool. Several years after that, a XC Ski Trail was created in our small town. A XC Ski Club raised funds to have that lighted. In both cases, it was expensive because AC power lines had to be laid underground and mercury vapor lights strategically located on power poles. It was very costly to do.

Now you can get a pair of solar Dusk to Dawn motion lights for about $40!

 

[jjeff]

The only reason I asked was to be curious about the potential for lighting, Many years ago, our County put lighting on a XC Ski Trail. Given how early it gets dark, that was pretty cool. Several years after that, a XC Ski Trail was created in our small town. A XC Ski Club raised funds to have that lighted. In both cases, it was expensive because AC power lines had to be laid underground and mercury vapor lights strategically located on power poles. It was very costly to do.
View attachment 720384




Now you can get a pair of solar Dusk to Dawn motion lights for about $40!

View attachment 720385

I have some experience with solar motion lights in my experience they don't last long, usually one led burns out, it starts a chain reaction before you know it the remaining lights are super bright for a little bit than they are all gone. The plastic and actual solar panel seems to degrade in the sun also, especially with the cheaper ones I've bought.

 

[airbiscuit]

I bought a pair for my neighbor for her sheep barn and pasture. Before that, she was wearing a headlamp to feed the animals before going to work. I didn't expect much. To my amazement, they stayed lit all night (dusk to dawn - dim), and lit well when they detected motion - even in sub zero weather. This is their second year and they are still going strong. She loves them.

My main point was that Solar LED lighting takes a huge amount of cost out of lighting a trail.

 

[jjeff]

I bought a pair for my neighbor for her sheep barn and pasture. Before that, she was wearing a headlamp to feed the animals before going to work. I didn't expect much. To my amazement, they stayed lit all night (dusk to dawn - dim), and lit well when they detected motion - even in sub zero weather. This is their second year and they are still going strong. She loves them.

My main point was that Solar LED lighting takes a huge amount of cost out of lighting a trail.

I totally agree with you that they are very convenient and lot cheaper than running power to a motion light, unfortunately for me, mine haven't blasted two years so I guess I've bought the bad ones.

 

[ArlyA]

We have zero interest in adding lights. We have 2 lighted systems in our immediate area.

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[ArlyA]

I'm still painting kiosk parts but I'll start a new thread when I get more pics. This is where it will go, as seen today.

 

[hayden]

I'm still painting kiosk parts but I'll start a new thread when I get more pics. This is where it will go, as seen today. View attachment 720782

I think you said the kiosk was mobile? How will it be used such that it needs to be mobile?

 

[ArlyA]

I think you said the kiosk was mobile? How will it be used such that it needs to be mobile?

Mobile? Since the posts will be nearly 4ft in the ground, might not be overly mobile.

 

[ArlyA]

Here is the kiosk build I promised to do.

 

[ArlyA]

We were out on Sunday and removed a fresh dead-fall that had fallen across the trail.

All better!

 

[kenmbz]

Cleared a few hundred feet of trail this weekend using the FS110 and the renegade blade.
About 3 hours or so total to make it walk-able.
May have to move some dirt to make it wide and stable for the tractor.
And of course will use the tractor to do that.

Only issue is the large dead Ash trees everywhere I go.
Need to drop about 6 on the border with my neighbor and another 4-5 near the trails.
No fun walking trails with falling branches the size of small trees!

Another use for the renegade blade, found an illegal tree stand and the blade cut right through the cable lock!

 

[two_bit_score]

Another use for the renegade blade, found an illegal tree stand and the blade cut right through the cable lock!

Great to know!