trail clearing technique and tools

[Hay Dude]

Honestly, if I were you, I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for people to step up, it seems in todays world, until a valuable object is missing, most people do not seem to care, sad but true

Damn right.
In MY area, we have ”Conservancies”. They bought up 1000’s of acres of farmland that was going en mass to the developer before our town lost its charm & character. Thank the Lord for those folks. Wealthy people who were also visionary. One in particular was able to raise funds from people in other parts of the country looking for tax write offs, or believed in the preservation of open space enough to pen big checks.

I saw an opening for a private contractor and farmer to fill the void left by all the farmers who got run out of town and seized the opportunity.
Now we, along with the underpaid conservancy’s staff help keep the Conservancy lands mowed, trails cleared and crops farmed to keep our little town looking as close to the way it looked 50 to 300 years ago as possible. Developers have been beaten back by deed restricted open space forever for all to enjoy.

It works, you just need a person who has wealth, vision, and a philanthropic ability to help raise funds. Extremely wealthy people are looking for avenues to tax write offs.

 

[ArlyA]

My Stihl dealer suggested that strings will do better if soaked in water so i put some in water for 24 hours (or 48 hour, can't recall which) then put them in a "wet box" to take to work. They did slightly better when cutting these weeds. No tree shoots in here.

 

[ArlyA]

Also tested a new steel cutting blade for small tress reputed to "can cut thousands acres of trees with". When we cut small trees, there are hundreds of them. That means when you cut one, it falls over and keeps you from seeing others. Keep cutting along as best you can and visibility goes further down and trees you think we cut, are actually 90% off and can't be removed.

Conclusion. Limited use when have a thick growth of trees to remove. Limited usability at best.

 

[2manyrocks]

It's been an unusually wet August in Middle Tennessee causing our vegetation to grow to be pretty thick. My experience is a metal blade will cut through thick vegetation faster, but string flails around so much that it chops material into more pieces.

Having seen a rattlesnake in my yard about 1-2 weeks ago, I'm not very motivated to go cut with anything that requires walking to do it.

 

[ArlyA]

It's been an unusually wet August in Middle Tennessee causing our vegetation to grow to be pretty thick. My experience is a metal blade will cut through thick vegetation faster, but string flails around so much that it chops material into more pieces.

Having seen a rattlesnake in my yard about 1-2 weeks ago, I'm not very motivated to go cut with anything that requires walking to do it.

What size string?

 

[2manyrocks]

It was the large diameter string run in a walk behind Craftsman push trimmer. It tore kudzu up better than anything I've used, but the machine was a pain to push and the string kept breaking. So I went back to metal because I can be cutting instead of changing string all the time.

 

[ArlyA]

On the NCT over the weekend. Top photo is a tree that fell along the trail (not across) earlier this summer. Wally is on the trail and it ascends this hill. Last photo is its gone.

 

[Hay Dude]

My Stihl dealer suggested that strings will do better if soaked in water so i put some in water for 24 hours (or 48 hour, can't recall which) then put them in a "wet box" to take to work. They did slightly better when cutting these weeds. No tree shoots in here. View attachment 817068View attachment 817069View attachment 817070View attachment 817071View attachment 817073

LMAO,

Like anyones going to soak their weed whacker string.

 

[bcp]

From:
STIHL Trimmer Heads and Line

"Actually, STIHL premium line will absorb 5% of its own weight in water. Trimmer line does tend to dry out over time and becomes more brittle. Storing it or soaking it in water will help reduce line breakage and make the line more flexible."

Bruce

 

[BigGG]

Also tested a new steel cutting blade for small tress reputed to "can cut thousands acres of trees with". When we cut small trees, there are hundreds of them. That means when you cut one, it falls over and keeps you from seeing others. Keep cutting along as best you can and visibility goes further down and trees you think we cut, are actually 90% off and can't be removed.

Conclusion. Limited use when have a thick growth of trees to remove. Limited usability at best.View attachment 817143View attachment 817144

I use a 9" version of that with carbide chain saw teeth to cut sweet gum saplings out if my pines. It does larger vines and other stuff too. Have to take a smaller swath for sure. I tried an 8" one once and it didn't work nearly as well. Have you tried the one that looks like a 3-blade edger blade?

 

[ArlyA]

I use a 9" version of that with carbide chain saw teeth to cut sweet gum saplings out if my pines. It does larger vines and other stuff too. Have to take a smaller swath for sure. I tried an 8" one once and it didn't work nearly as well. Have you tried the one that looks like a 3-blade edger blade?

yes, used them for about 14 years.

 

[ArlyA]

Our favorite Fiskar loppers dropped in price a LOT on Amazone. We've been paying $55 for the last few!

Fiskars 32-Inch PowerGear Bypass Lopper​

Pay $34.79 $33.63 after using available Amazon Visa rewards points.

 

[ning]

Our favorite Fiskar loppers dropped in price a LOT on Amazone. We've been paying $55 for the last few!

Fiskars 32-Inch PowerGear Bypass Lopper​

Pay $34.79 $33.63 after using available Amazon Visa rewards points.

View attachment 817946​

I love these, very easy and powerful to use.
Occasionally I put a nick in the blade by cutting hard dead wood but the blade is very easy to replace too.

 

[ArlyA]

I love these, very easy and powerful to use.
Occasionally I put a nick in the blade by cutting hard dead wood but the blade is very easy to replace too.

These and all loppers should be occasionally sharpened. If you guys are interested in that lll do a post concerning that.

 

[lilranch2001]

My fiskars are quite a few years old, never been sharpened, probably could use sharpened

 

[ning]

These and all loppers should be occasionally sharpened. If you guys are interested in that lll do a post concerning that.

They should be sharpened, yes. They should also not be used on dry wood for the most part; dry pine doesn't seem to be a problem but these are a bypass lopper and you should use an anvlid lopper for dry wood of any significant strength like oak (or, preferably, a saw).

 

[ArlyA]

They should be sharpened, yes. They should also not be used on dry wood for the most part; dry pine doesn't seem to be a problem but these are a bypass lopper and you should use an anvlid lopper for dry wood of any significant strength like oak (or, preferably, a saw).

When we are out in the field, we can only bring so many tools along and for loppers, that is bypass type. Sharp ones really cut well.

 

[airbiscuit]

I was out on my trails today cutting the droopy branches (heavy snow last winter). I giotta say I don't love pole saws as much as Arly. That much over the shouder stuff is fatiguing.

 

[ArlyA]

I was out on my trails today cutting the droopy branches (heavy snow last winter). I giotta say I don't love pole saws as much as Arly. That much over the shouder stuff is fatiguing.

Which style of polesaw?

 

[airbiscuit]

It belongs to my friend and has a freshly sharpened chain