Property line trail/ track

[NS Gearhead]

Thanks guys! I've been called many things, but resourceful is a new one! LOL I guess that comes from having big dreams, lots of ambition and not much money.

Nope, no couch potato, but at 31 my lower two abs seem to be getting larger then the other four. LOL I've noticed gaining weight over winter and loosing it the rest of the year... but loosing the battle slowly. Thinking of joining the gym this winter.

Anyway, back on topic. I looked over the pictures I've posted and realized I'd missed the load of rock spread over the swampy part. This is prob 10' wide and 1' deep. When I put the topcoat I'll narrow that up. The rock I put ahead of that comes from the besement walkout that I'd busted with the jackhammer, but never got a chance to move.


This corner's been swampy, so I went and got a load of shale... made a shale soup! LOL Seriously I hope it firms up before I drive over it again.


I hope to start making regular trips to the shale pile. Even though I usually shy away from being in the woods durring hunting season... I'll wear my hunter's orange.

 

[NS Gearhead]

Load #3 in about a week. Made myself a "shelf" so i don't have to lift the shovelfulls. I'm throwing it down into the trailer.


My little helper : )

 

[NS Gearhead]

Well made my goal of two loads today... but not without damage. My Jeep's front suspension is set up as a three link with a track bar. Well the one upper decided to let go allowing the axle to rotate. I had the trailer full behind and parked on a slope. Upon further inspection half the frame mount tore off shearing the bolt. I secured the Jeep, rotated the axle back with the hi lift, and bolted the control arm back... but only single shear. Enough of a bandaid to limp out of the woods. This was done at a "profesional" shop when I had more money and wasn't able to weld myself. It had 3" of weld holding the part that sheared. I'll have at least 4x that with the repair.

 

[NS Gearhead]

On it. Just got my license, and saving for my first boom stick. First thing I say to guys at the door; "I border on acerage, and I've got and pick and shovel" ; )

At five she's going in self defence. I don't care what kind... but it won't be optional and will continue until she's on her own.

 

[FTG-05]

I rest my case.

 

[NS Gearhead]

So here's what the failure looked like (square tube's just there to simulate the frame)






I won't be able to box it quite like I would have liked due to the exhaust being in the way... but I've got some measurements and a plan. I just need to pick up a new drill bit.

 

[NS Gearhead]

Started with this;


Top and bottom


Burned on the top (inside and out. Overkill is underrated ; )


Started to burn it in...


...and promply ran outta welding gas.

 

[Boeing]

Gearhead....you have tremendous tenacity.....(it wanes with age)
I have 70 acres on a mountaintop in Virginia.. As you, I wanted a perimeter trail....just wide enough for my Kubota. With a chain saw and limb shears I started and would get about 100 yards a day. I have a tractor width path along 3 sides now. (the last side has a pretty steep hill about 150 yards) A little uncomfortable for an old guy on a tractor. We'll see.
I've made several observations that I'll share. As you open up a trail the added sunlight causes the bordering trees to limb much faster. You'll have to drive thru regularily with a pruner. Also, the roots under the trail will sprout saplings faster than you can say "bush hog". You're going to need a tractor with a boxscraper and a bush hog.
And lastly.....you SCARED me when you pulled that tall pine over with the winch and then with all that pressure on it you cut it with a chainsaw. DON'T do that, release the winch pressure THEN cut it. That little girl is too pretty to lose her father. Nuff said, have fun, BE CAREFUL

 

[GNX Guy]

Been there done that, I started 3+ years ago making parameter trails around my property (147 acres). I'm almost done!!! had a bad storm in may that blocked most of my trails. Now that the weather has cooled, its back to cleaning up the impassable trails.

Joe

 

[Bob77064]

Great job, very impressive.

 

[NS Gearhead]

Gearhead....you have tremendous tenacity.....(it wanes with age)
I have 70 acres on a mountaintop in Virginia.. As you, I wanted a perimeter trail....just wide enough for my Kubota. With a chain saw and limb shears I started and would get about 100 yards a day. I have a tractor width path along 3 sides now. (the last side has a pretty steep hill about 150 yards) A little uncomfortable for an old guy on a tractor. We'll see.
I've made several observations that I'll share. As you open up a trail the added sunlight causes the bordering trees to limb much faster. You'll have to drive thru regularily with a pruner. Also, the roots under the trail will sprout saplings faster than you can say "bush hog". You're going to need a tractor with a boxscraper and a bush hog.
And lastly.....you SCARED me when you pulled that tall pine over with the winch and then with all that pressure on it you cut it with a chainsaw. DON'T do that, release the winch pressure THEN cut it. That little girl is too pretty to lose her father. Nuff said, have fun, BE CAREFUL

Thank you. Some call it OCD, I say I'm driven and detail oriented. LOL The plan is to have the trail graveled and I'll build a tow behind grader to keep vegitation at bay. Until then I have a Sthil Kombi I use in spots that grow (mostly ferns). I have very much noticed that once the sun hits the forest floor saplings spring up like mad. I went through and hand plucked a 50' section full of 1-2' spruce. Figgured if I just cut them they'd grow back.

Have another look... the cable was slack when I cut that tree. ; ) ... but thank you for your consern.

 

[NS Gearhead]

Been there done that, I started 3+ years ago making parameter trails around my property (147 acres). I'm almost done!!! had a bad storm in may that blocked most of my trails. Now that the weather has cooled, its back to cleaning up the impassable trails.

Joe

147 acres in 3 years!?! You must have better gear then me!... or more free time... or both! LOL

 

[NS Gearhead]

Great job, very impressive.

Thank you Sir.

 

[GNX Guy]

Should have said been there...doing that!!!!!

Well, the trick is my Stihl FS550 forestry saw. Check it out, it is wicked. Next weekend I'm finishing up a 100 meter firing lane. Cleared all the sapplings and brush and have 13 6" diameter trees to cut and skid out, some for firewood some to be milled.

Joe

 

[Jay4200]

I did the same perimeter trail build, but for ATV/dirtbike only. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point of view) I encircled about 150 acres. It took an entire summer of 3-day weekends waving a chainsaw. Busting up boulders with jackhammers is absolutely cheating, BTW. Next time I do it, I'm renting a bulldozer.

 

[NS Gearhead]

Dang, I wish I had as much property as you guys! My wife wanted to stay somewhat close to the city, and I wanted pivacy and land... so what we have is a compromise. 4.2 acres on a cul-de-sac that borders on hundreds of government acres... 30 min to the city/ work.

 

[NS Gearhead]

Busting up boulders with jackhammers is absolutely cheating

Suuuure it is. LOL!

 

[NS Gearhead]

Got a bit of a second wind and started hauling gravel again. My goal is to finish this little section before winter takes hold... but man there was a good 2" of frost in the gravel pile today.

Put a decent dent in it


before (muddy mess)


after (7 loads later)


It's still wet, but very solid. There is one 3" culvert because that's what I had... but I've since got a couple 4" lengths, so may put those in too.

Cresting the hill! Not much needed on the other side!