trail clearing technique and tools

[ArlyA]

Our take to the woods tool box.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Our take to the woods tool box. View attachment 821401

what is that pry bar for ?

 

[ArlyA]

what is that pry bar for ?

To move trees, unlock saws from cuts, Etc etc. Used it more than I can recall!

 

[ArlyA]

As anyone who follows this thread might know, I now use a mini makita battery saws for limbing. (with loppers) For them I've been using Makia and aftermarket battery's but these AM ones don't seem to hold there power very long. A 6 amp-hour one acts more like a 4 or 5 so I'm contemplating getting more Makita made ones. Yes I watched Farm project video who tested some and found the same thing. What is your thoughts?

 

[kenmbz]

So far I only buy aftermarket when I can no longer buy batteries new, like for my Makita 9.6v
I find the aftermarket last 50% or less the OEM

 

[Grumpycat]

As anyone who follows this thread might know, I now use a mini makita battery saws for limbing. (with loppers) For them I've been using Makia and aftermarket battery's but these AM ones don't seem to hold there power very long. A 6 amp-hour one acts more like a 4 or 5 so I'm contemplating getting more Makita made ones. Yes I watched Farm project video who tested some and found the same thing. What is your thoughts?

There are many YouTube videos on how to rebuild different power handtool batteries. Cells on eBay are not trustworthy, too many fakes. Many smelly vendors on Amazon too. Not purchased anything from 18650 Battery Store - Trusted Supplier of Lithium Ion Batteries but it comes highly recommended and I'm impressed by the quality of their website. You could upgrade your worn batteries to better than new. The catch is one needs a battery tab welder to build a new battery pack. Soldering the ends of lithium cells damages stuff immediately inside. Spot welding gets the job done quick with little heat.

18650 Battery Store offers high Ah and high current rate cells. Balance your needs vs cost. Not sure how high of a current rate your Makita tools need.

So on one hand I'm telling you to avoid flakey eBay sellers and on the other point you to this at one of the most Chinese of Chinese vendors for a battery tab spot welder: DIY Spot Welder 9 Gears Mini Spot Welding Machine With Quick Release Pen Nickel Plate 18650 Battery Spot Welder

 

[ArlyA]

We blew off our 1.25 miles of single track yesterday. The leaves were wet from daily drizzle we seem to get but the stihl magnum blew it off anyway. This unit is a keeper.

 

[MossRoad]

Beautiful colors. We're starting to get some around here now.

 

[ultrarunner]

I was clearing and cutting back 17 acres with trails last week using all battery power and amazed just how long the Stihl pole hedge trimmer can go on one battery.

Several places had fallen trees so I just cut out the sections across the trails with no issue but on the last one got into a wasp nest rolling it off the trail... got me twice... little buggers.

Came back after dark with a few ounces of 5 year old gas and doused the exposed nest and the next day all activity had ceased...

My logic is the nest was right at trail side...

Trails are for walking but big enough for a small RTV or quad.

Last maintenance was 2 years ago.

Probably best at least annually as one time it went 4 years and I was starting to loose them in some places.

 

[ArlyA]

I was clearing and cutting back 17 acres with trails last week using all battery power and amazed just how long the Stihl pole hedge trimmer can go on one battery.

Several places had fallen trees so I just cut out the sections across the trails with no issue but on the last one got into a wasp nest rolling it off the trail... got me twice... little buggers.

Came back after dark with a few ounces of 5 year old gas and doused the exposed nest and the next day all activity had ceased...

My logic is the nest was right at trail side...

Trails are for walking but big enough for a small RTV or quad.

Last maintenance was 2 years ago.

Probably best at least annually as one time it went 4 years and I was starting to loose them in some places.

Why not use wasp spray?

 

[ultrarunner]

Why not use wasp spray?

The old fuel was in the shop and available... would have had to drive to town to buy wasp spray and I was already preparing to head back to California.

The wasps are bigger in California and more aggressive if you happen to be eating outside...

Really had not noticed wasps in Olympia until my trail maintenance bothered the nest...

 

[ArlyA]

We use both Echo and Stihl powerheads at the time so here is a side-by-side comparison of the two. Both are good units, just a bit different..

Echo powerhead is lighter in weight, easier to pull start.
Bad is the bottom is so rounded, it readily rolls when you set it down,
slightly less powerful than the Stihl.
Attachment connection is rather poor.
No cold weather air intake.
Choke is manual and because of its location is occasionally turned on.

Sthil powerhead is slightly heavier in weight but more powerful and its pull starter takes more energy to actuate.
Good part is the machine control setup is superior.
Has cool weather air intake and has an automatic choke like their saws have.
Tool connection is far superior.

 

[2manyrocks]

A mixture of dishwashing soap and water will also kill wasps, not instantly like gas, but it will kill them. We have some orange wasps that built nests in the house attic near our deck. I've been using a sprayer bottle to kill them.

 

[ArlyA]

Clinical trials going on for a ant-tick drusg for humans. Same usually used for dogs.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Clinical trials going on for a ant-tick drusg for humans. Same usually used for dogs.

after looking at the potential side effect of these pills I don't know if that's a good thing...

 

[ArlyA]

We plan to install a small culvert on Saturday and will post photos if we do that.

 

[ArlyA]

Here is before, during and after pics.

 

[airbiscuit]

Nice

 

[ArlyA]

That culvert was likely the last trail work we'll do for Boundary Road trails that we've been caring for over the past 7 or 8 years. We can't afford to do it on our own. Not sure if we'll groom it this winter or not.

 

[ultrarunner]

Sometimes you have to step back to be appreciated...