trail clearing technique and tools

[David in KY]

Nice work. How long will that boundary trail be?

It's about 1275 feet until it meets an established boundary/ fence.

 

[airbiscuit]

Is that your property? You're doing the hard part. I'd widen it later.

 

[David in KY]

Is that your property? You're doing the hard part. I'd widen it later.

Yes. We're going to fence this new boundary. Still trying to decide paths and trails. Will probably make a two track along the fence line. This side of the property is fairly steep and certainly has dense foliage. It's so quiet and peaceful out here. It is truly beautiful.

 

[airbiscuit]

Very nice.

 

[ArlyA]

I'm working to clear a new property boundary through heavy woods on 6 to 20% slopes. I'm impressed that the surveyors got into some of these spots to drive a stake.

I'm using a Topcon grade laser to follow the path. The stakes, some of which I didn't know were placed, all are falling dead-on to the path. You don't know they're there until you're within about 10-15 feet sometimes. I'm using a chainsaw and a large Echo trimmer with a steel, triple-blade head to cut the path. There is LOTS of surface rock around, and the steel trimmer head, though making regular contact with it, is holding up very well. It is incredible how well it cuts small trees and of course the thorns and brush.

Here are a few pictures.

View attachment 808168View attachment 808169View attachment 808170View attachment 808171

View attachment 808167

Looking at these pics, I'd suggest getting a pole saw. Not a telescoping type.

 

[2manyrocks]

I saw a local ad to sell a telescoping pole saw this week that literally said it was had been used once, but was too heavy.

 

[ArlyA]

I saw a local ad to sell a telescoping pole saw this week that literally said it was had been used once, but was too heavy.

Ya, I see lots of them FS on facebook.

 

[2manyrocks]

I second Arly's recommendation to get a pole saw. It's a very useful tool in its own right, but it also gets you further away from the brush when cutting than a chainsaw. That could be very valuable when clearing a dense area that probably has some rattlesnakes in it.

 

[ArlyA]

I'd go far beyond "useful tool"

 

[Rockbadchild]

I'd go far beyond "useful tool" View attachment 808203View attachment 808204View attachment 808206View attachment 808208

nah it remains simply a tool, useful in some area.
From all these pictures other then the one branch you cut up the tree it could all be done faster with a chainsaw...