trail clearing technique and tools

[Gem99ultra]

Thought you guys might want a break from cross country skiing photos.

Not a trail but a fence line.
Big mess

View attachment 793440


One got me.

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15’ tall stickers, vines and a couple Russian Olive trees all tangled into one big snarly mess.
Hard to believe there was once a fence in there.

View attachment 793442

Whew!!! You da man! Job well done sir.

 

[2manyrocks]

I've started clearing what was a trail for mules and horses, but am unwilling to take my tractor into the area because of locust thorns. For the time being, I've been carrying my straps/ropes/winches/pulleys in a 5 gallon bucket.

Some kind of light two wheel cart would be helpful to carry the weight. Might have to build one.

When you don't have ready access to your tractor or 6x6, what are some tips for carrying what you need to work with?

 

[kenmbz]

I've started clearing what was a trail for mules and horses, but am unwilling to take my tractor into the area because of locust thorns. For the time being, I've been carrying my straps/ropes/winches/pulleys in a 5 gallon bucket.

Some kind of light two wheel cart would be helpful to carry the weight. Might have to build one.

When you don't have ready access to your tractor or 6x6, what are some tips for carrying what you need to work with?

I use a four wheel Gorilla cart. fits most of my clearing tools. Even have a chainsaw carrier mounted to the side.

 

[Hay Dude]

I started clearing a TRAIL earlier this week. I used a 2 wheeled wheelbarrow (not shown) to pack all my stuff.

 

[ning]

I use a four wheel Gorilla cart. fits most of my clearing tools. Even have a chainsaw carrier mounted to the side.

I have a "1200 pound capacity" wagon that I bought from northern tool about 25 years ago.

I doubt it would hold up to 1200 pounds, but we used to take it to the fair and other fairgrounds events when the kids were small, toss them in the wagon at the end so we could haul them and all our picnic stuff back to the car; these days I use it for hauling firewood, or all of my fence tools when I'm doing medium-sized jobs that don't require the tractor. If it doesn't fit in the wagon (which is about 2'x4') then I either make two trips or pile everything in the tractor bucket and use it instead.

 

[2manyrocks]

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.

 

[kenmbz]

Maybe a sled with outrigged solid wheels. They go across water and mud.
Or one of those long equipment backpacks?

 

[airbiscuit]

ATV with foam filled tires?

 

[Hay Dude]

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.

I have twin run flat tires on my WB. No worries

 

[yanmars]

I had heavy duty liners put in my tractor tires. That stopped the thorn flats.

 

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