trail clearing technique and tools

ArlyA · Aug 24, 2022

I was rained out of work today and stopped by the Stihl dealership and the 1st thing he says to me is "i got parts in for you!" and I received the necessarily parts to swtich my polesaw over to 3/8 chain.

Will post pics later. With one chain this cost me about $70.

Also stopped at our BRP dealership who said they have a brand new 6x6 max out of its box. Sorry but no camera with me.

Shenandoah MF1760 · Aug 24, 2022

ArlyA said:
These battery power tools have two short comings; short battery life and higher weight.

Having gone through a couple of Hurricanes with no other issues than downed trees and fences to contend with, I can appreciate the ease of operation that an electric tool provides especially to a novice user. However the hours of use I can get out of a gallon of gas powering a chainsaw far outstrips what I can get from any electric tool.

ArlyA · Aug 24, 2022

Got a 3/8th chain drive on.

Also pics of a new work machine coming out of its shipping box..

airbiscuit · Aug 24, 2022

Why didn't you go with the UTV style?

ArlyA · Aug 24, 2022

airbiscuit said:
Why didn't you go with the UTV style?

View attachment 759585

Quite a bit more $$$, weights over 1000lbs more so it has a higher PSI, has the same engine* so its weight per HP is less and poorer visibility for the operator.

*BPR has three engine options so the V-1000cc is the largest which our machine has.

airbiscuit · Aug 24, 2022

Got it. More passenger friendly though.

ArlyA · Aug 24, 2022

Trail work and brushing is real hard on gloves and I struggle to find some that will last and not cost a fortune. Some glove only last a day or two before I find holes wearing through. Stihl had some nice ones for $25 and they lasted quite long but that's a moot point, since they went out of production.

Since then, I've been looking for something to replace my beloved S gloves and tried some work gloves sold by harbor freight. I got there best ones for $20 and went into the field and had holes in them in 2 DAYS. The same day I got there 2nd best ones for $10 and found they lasted much longer. They are now my favorite ones and I can get like 4-5 days out of them.

ArlyA · Aug 25, 2022

When in a sawyer safety course, they said you always need to have an extra saw with you. That includes poles saws.

Bearsixty7 · Aug 25, 2022

ArlyA said:
Trail work and brushing is real hard on gloves and I struggle to find some that will last and not cost a fortune. Some glove only last a day or two before I find holes wearing through. Stihl had some nice ones for $25 and they lasted quite long but that's a moot point, since they went out of production. Since then, I've been looking for something to replace my beloved S gloves and tried some work gloves sold by harbor freight. I got there best ones for $20 and went into the field and had holes in them in 2 DAYS. The same day I got there 2nd best ones for $10 and found they lasted much longer. They are now my favorite ones and I can get like 4-5 days out of them.

Why not wear plain leather gloves? That's what I find to last the longest for almost all serious work. Those are mechanics gloves and not really for handling tree limbs, branches, lumber, etc.

ArlyA · Aug 25, 2022

Bearsixty7 said:
Why not wear plain leather gloves? That's what I find to last the longest for almost all serious work. Those are mechanics gloves and not really for handling tree limbs, branches, lumber, etc.

Seems like leather gets wet and stays that way. I have a bunch of leather ones I used when handling car parts so I have used them. Fake materials breath out my sweat better.

2manyrocks · Aug 25, 2022

I've had a pair of Wells Lamont hydrahyde gloves $14 at Amazon or Walmart for a few months now. They are a mix of leather on the palm/finger work surfaces, but the back of the glove is synthetic. https://www.amazon.com/Wells-Lamont...s=hi&sprefix=hydrahyde+gloves,tools,89&sr=1-2

This traditional style of leather glove is only $8.50 pair...lasts a long time for me. https://www.amazon.com/Wells-Lamont...prefix=white+mule+glove,tools,119&sr=1-2&th=1

I just wear exam gloves for working on the car and then throw them away because they either tear or get so nasty.

jjeff · Aug 25, 2022

Ever use kevlar lined gloves? Still have a pair from about 10yrs ago, leather on outside is shot but the kevlar liner is still good enough for my occasional usage. They are definitely breathable now. Lol

ArlyA · Aug 26, 2022

Seems my card reader has failed which we use to DL photos from our camera. We will be working on our trails on Saturday morning and are suppose to pick up that new 6x6 max late that day. Sorry about that folks. Someone was asking about difference in pole saws heads between Echo and Stihl which I did had pics of. Oh well.

Hay Dude · Aug 26, 2022

Just picked up and scheduled a fence clearing job for December. Love to get that kind of work when done haying. It will also make field mowing easier on my tractor cab since they are a regular field mowing customer.

ArlyA · Aug 27, 2022

We only did a few hours of clearing on our trails this morning. Nothing exciting to show but sure happy for the help. We couldn't pick up the new 6x6 today as planned.

All done (for the day)

cqaigy2 · Aug 27, 2022

Good times!

ArlyA · Aug 29, 2022

I'm heading back to the old weld shop yard clean-out job today and try get pics there. Seems I have the camera card reading issues resolved. I've been using the mini makita saws like loppers and have one at the slash pile to trim limbs off and the other where-ever I'm taking the trees down.