trail clearing technique and tools

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I just checked these Carlisle tires and see they are 4 ply.

I replaced mine right out of the gate on my SxS for the same reason. I tried to make the factory ones work but I ran out of plugs way too fast. I was able to get takeoffs from the dealership. Wheels and tires already mounted from a higher equipped unit for less than just tires. It's crazy to me how many people upgrade their already upgraded wheels and tires before they ever take possession of their machines. The dealer I got mine from had STACKS of them laying around.

 

[ArlyA]

I replaced mine right out of the gate on my SxS for the same reason. I tried to make the factory ones work but I ran out of plugs way too fast. I was able to get takeoffs from the dealership. Wheels and tires already mounted from a higher equipped unit for less than just tires. It's crazy to me how many people upgrade their already upgraded wheels and tires before they ever take possession of their machines. The dealer I got mine from had STACKS of them laying around.

These act carlisle tires run about $100 each and got good reviews.

here is what carlisle says about them.
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ACT means All Conditions Tire. The Carlisle ACT features heavy-duty materials to resist damage from punctures, cuts, and abrasions. Need traction in wet or loose soil? The ACT is designed to provide handling and cornering thanks to its self-cleaning spacing and tread compounds.

 

[Bearsixty7]

I replaced mine right out of the gate on my SxS for the same reason. I tried to make the factory ones work but I ran out of plugs way too fast. I was able to get takeoffs from the dealership. Wheels and tires already mounted from a higher equipped unit for less than just tires. It's crazy to me how many people upgrade their already upgraded wheels and tires before they ever take possession of their machines. The dealer I got mine from had STACKS of them laying around.

What dealer? We have a couple ATV's that could use some new tires this fall, maybe they are where I can get my best deal.

 

[jjeff]

I just checked these Carlisle tires and see they are 4 ply. Says they are made in the USA.

I run 6 ply low pressure tires (not radials) on both sxs I own believe they are Chinese imports (kenda) all tire problems I was having stopped. Great upgrade in my experience especially If your running on rough terrain. Can get exact tire which I've been using over 5 years on my Honda if your interested.

 

[2manyrocks]

No I don't. I thought I'd need to winch some logs around but I didn't need to. Seems I could have doubled the towing effort with this machine from what I did today. View attachment 811164

Like everything, the cost adds up, but a couple of snatch blocks or recovery rings with some rope would make it possible to pull some trees like these off into the woods while keeping your UTV firmly on the trail.

 

[airbiscuit]

That makes sense. It's not that you need more pulling power, but you can redirect the pull.

 

[ArlyA]

We can now operate in the woods with destruction to just the shoot and ferns. These are what we cut back, every time we are out anyway. We have a 10ft flat strap on the winch for snow plowing and rarely need to tow more than 9 ft anyway, so its staying on. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure I've ever towed anything with it.

 

[2manyrocks]

It's not something I have typically done myself in the past, but I'm developing an appreciation for the guys who have figured out how to move logs in areas of very limited access using rope and pulley setups. I have a trail that is blocked by downed trees. There's no way to access it safely with a tractor, but now I'm thinking I may be able to get them off the trail using a pulley setup to create mechanical advantage.

 

[RobertEH]

Earlier in this thread I mentioned some work I helped with on trails in Wilderness areas in the Cascade range where only human powered equipment was allowed. A technique they used to roll massive old growth logs off the trails was to take some webbing (probably 30-50 feet?) and wrap it around the logs. Probably 3-4 wraps over top of each other so it would bind on itself. Then, from a safe position, they would get 2-3 people on the tail end of the strap and pull on it like a pull cord of a lawnmower. This would start the log rolling and move it right off the trail. It helps if you can use slope/gravity to your advantage to get it rolling.

One needs to be very careful when doing this of course. They guy coordinating the work would sit for 5+ min and just look at the situation before doing anything. He was looking for hazards, the way a tree might twist or pop as it was being cut, escape routes, overhead dangers, etc. "Look up, Look down, look all around" was his mantra. Then he would set up the situation (be it a cut of a log, or movement of a log, etc). Then he would sit again and assess the situation one last time before acting.

We were moving logs 3-4 feet thick and 10+ feet long with 100% human power with this technique.

In the photo below, we made one cut on the log on the uphill side, then used the webbing technique to roll the downhill side away and clear of the trail.

 

[RobertEH]

The cut...

 

[2manyrocks]

Is there any thought they might allow cordless battery saws?

 

[RobertEH]

Not in the wilderness areas. They don't even allow anything with wheels... (a dolly, a cooler with wheels, etc).

I think the only exception is fire, and SAR rescues. Even then they need explicit permission I believe.

 

[ArlyA]

Many of these rules are goofy or archaic so don't expect to this make any sense. Dynamite is allowed to clear trails. I kid you not. In the boundary waters canoe area wilderness in northern MN and large blow-down occurred so years ago and that's how some trails were cleared.. All natural.

 

[2manyrocks]

Not in the wilderness areas. They don't even allow anything with wheels... (a dolly, a cooler with wheels, etc).

I think the only exception is fire, and SAR rescues. Even then they need explicit permission I believe.

Not even a hand cranked winch? Hand pulled block and tackle?

 

[Grumpycat]

Not even a hand cranked winch? Hand pulled block and tackle?

Yeah! How come they allowed machine-woven straps to tug trees out of the way?

 

[2manyrocks]

might as well require pre1900 work era clothing and ban zippers, too.

 

[RobertEH]

Not even a hand cranked winch? Hand pulled block and tackle?

Those are likely OK. Wheel ban would be more towards a wheel used to roll something in or out. (Includes bicycles which is probably the main thing they are looking to keep out...)

Everything has to be carried in - pack animals are usually OK. The webbing trick works very well and is quite light compared to other riggings for rolling big logs off a trail. Multi-use too (belay, rope, emergency harness material, etc.)

 

[ArlyA]

We had gone camping for a few days and planned to do trail work there, but unpredicted rain drove us home early. Taken yesterday while blazing our trails. Can anyone identify the rocks in the box? We picked them rocks along the logging road to be droped in to fill a hole.

 

[ArlyA]

We had gone camping for a few days and planned to do trail work there, but unpredicted rain drove us home early. Taken yesterday while blazing our trails. Can anyone identify the rocks in the box? We picked them rocks along the logging road to be droped in to fill a hole.View attachment 811884View attachment 811885

Tough one to guess guys. Its mine rock used as road base. When it was blasted and bought out of a copper mine, you end up angular rocks as you see here.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

That's what normal rock looks like around the Ozarks out here. They are all angular like that. There are lots of businesses set up around here that just pile up rocks and sell them by the pallet. I pick them up and use them for flower bed borders. Works well and looks nice.

Lots of older houses around here are clad with them instead of brick or siding. We apparently grow rocks as one of our cash crops?