trail clearing technique and tools

[hayden]

Many people who are not used to an HST transmission try to use the HST pedal like a gas pedal. If they start to bog down they press the pedal harder, which is the exact opposite of what you want to do. Give it more throttle if needed, but let up on the HST pedal (in effect shifting to a "lower gear") or shift to a lower range (you can't really get a lot of work done in the highest of the 3 ranges - that's more of a "transport" gear.)

Also, if the hydrostatic transmission is getting worn out, motion will stall out easier.

And be sure you are using an appropriate range. In the right range, my HST will spin the wheels before it stalls. But in too high a range you can definitely stall it.

 

[Bearsixty7]

And be sure you are using an appropriate range. In the right range, my HST will spin the wheels before it stalls. But in too high a range you can definitely stall it.

Just what I was about to post.

 

[ArlyA]

I've got my eye on a JD 4120 with 800 hours on it. Its at a "near by" dealership.
View attachment 2105409

My spousal unit recently told me we need a tractor.... I believe this JD is still available. Mid winter discount?

 

[airbiscuit]

I wouldn't wait to take advantage of that hall pass!

 

[shooterdon]

My spousal unit recently told me we need a tractor.... I believe this JD is still available. Mid winter discount?

Cash talks. What are you waiting for!

 

[ArlyA]

We have no building to store a tractor in anyway.

 

[TCowner]

I wouldn't wait to take advantage of that hall pass!

Many years ago I was offered a similar hall pass and delayed the move. One week later the hall pass provider rescinded the offer thinking the funds should be deverted to another use. Bad mistake on my part.

Hall passes must be acted upon immediately.

 

[shooterdon]

We have no building to store a tractor in anyway.

Build something in the spring. Even a car port works.

 

[2manyrocks]

I built a tractor shed pretty soon after buying my first tractor. Never liked using tarps.

Our weather has been everything from 20 to 72 with ice to sunshine. Been removing honey locusts. Slow work dealing with the thorns removing from the trunk and burning them in a burn barrel.

 

[ArlyA]

We have no building to store a tractor in anyway.

You folks might not know we are looking for property near here but out of town so building a shed here is off the table. I'd be easier to rent something. I've been keeping my eyes peeled for a 18ft trailer, but can't park it here for the snow.

 

[shooterdon]

You folks might not know we are looking for property near here but out of town so building a shed here is off the table. I'd be easier to rent something. I've been keeping my eyes peeled for a 18ft trailer, but can't park it here for the snow.

Do you have a friend or family member with some acerage that would let you park a 20' container for a few months? They are not expensive, rodent proof and can be handy to have when you find a place. Even if you decide to sell it later, you may not take much of a loss.

 

[Rockbadchild]

There are no to very little arm to keep a tractor in the elements for a short period of time. I keep mine in the elements all summer I just flip the seat up, yeah ok the paint is fading but I don't care. I wouldn't let that keeping me form owning a tractor.

 

[2manyrocks]

Could be better to wait on buying any tractor until you find the property you want so you get a machine that is tailored to your use case. Unless you find some great deal….

 

[shooterdon]

There are no to very little arm to keep a tractor in the elements for a short period of time. I keep mine in the elements all summer I just flip the seat up, yeah ok the paint is fading but I don't care. I wouldn't let that keeping me form owning a tractor.

And I bet the dealer is storing outside anyway.

 

[ArlyA]

Boundary Road trails is setting up a work day in the spring to clear back shoots that I didn't do this past summer. We have to get h help because of my wrist grief won't let me do much. We do have a page for the trails if anyone cares to follow.

Boundary Road Trails

Boundary Road Trails. 191 likes · 22 talking about this · 17 were here. Silent sport trails with views of Pilgrim River. Free to all and trial mutt friendly.

www.facebook.com

 

[kenmbz]

Why my trails around the house are not in use:
I have a lot of dead Ash around the trails.
This one I walked, it's about 70+ feet (the top hit another tree and shattered, so not sure where it really ended). About 2 feet where it split from the base about 30 feet to the right in the below picture.

Will be bucking this sometime this week. So much firewood, so much......

 

[bdhsfz6]

Why my trails around the house are not in use:
I have a lot of dead Ash around the trails.
This one I walked, it's about 70+ feet (the top hit another tree and shattered, so not sure where it really ended). About 2 feet where it split from the base about 30 feet to the right in the below picture.
View attachment 3011504
View attachment 3011505
Will be bucking this sometime this week. So much firewood, so much......

I'm losing my Ash trees as well, thanks to the Emerald Ash Borer. I've taken down 6 so far this year and unfortunately there are many more to follow.

I'm also fighting the Woolly adelgid in an attempt to save my pristine 6 acre stand of Hemlock.

The Chestnut, Beech and Elm are long gone and something's killing off my Spruce as well. I can't help wondering what's next.

If this keeps up, in a hundred years, there won't be a tree left standing in this part of the country.

 

[kenmbz]

I'm losing my Ash trees as well, thanks to the Emerald Ash Borer. I've taken down 6 so far this year and unfortunately there are many more to follow.

I'm also fighting the Woolly adelgid in an attempt to save my pristine 6 acre stand of Hemlock.

The Chestnut, Beech and Elm are long gone and something's killing off my Spruce as well. I can't help wondering what's next.

If this keeps up, in a hundred years, there won't be a tree left standing in this part of the country.

The Tulip Poplars and Cedars are doing ok.
I live in what used to be an Ash forest, lost hundreds of trees, dozens in the 60-100 feet tall.
Every time I go out to groom the trails I find branches and trees down.
It's been a few years since I can just walk the trails.

Do have plenty of invasive plants though...
Did get those cleared out of the back area, still a lot along the trails that I leave for the animals.

 

[ArlyA]

I'm losing my Ash trees as well, thanks to the Emerald Ash Borer. I've taken down 6 so far this year and unfortunately there are many more to follow.

I'm also fighting the Woolly adelgid in an attempt to save my pristine 6 acre stand of Hemlock.

The Chestnut, Beech and Elm are long gone and something's killing off my Spruce as well. I can't help wondering what's next.

If this keeps up, in a hundred years, there won't be a tree left standing in this part of the country.

The spruce budworm kills them here, all the time. Seems they naturally feed on those and kill them in time. Sure are a mess to get off the trail.

 

[ArlyA]

We still got plenty of snow here but Amski made a nice video about clearing brush with her stihl and brush cutter. The small shoots she's knocking down is the only thing we'll use a cutting end for but she's dressed the same as we do while running 155 string heads. She's not wearing safety glasses which we recommend wearing. The sticks and debris will fly behind the steel screen mask and get into our eyes. Been there, done that.