trail clearing technique and tools

[airbiscuit]

Here is photos of what we usually go into the field with. View attachment 705884

Including the Zero Turn and the operator?

 

[ArlyA]

Including the Zero Turn and the operator?

He broke his machine trying to mow a logging road. He said he won't try that again.

 

[ArlyA]

Speaking of mowing trails, the Chapman tow behind flail is one I'd like to try. I contacted them and they will be setting up an importer for north America.

Some specs are below

ATV FLAIL MOWER FEATURES AND BENEFITS​

The Chapman ATV flail mower has a Honda commercial grade GXV630cc 21HP V-Twin engine, featuring an oil alert warning system built in the oil pump, to ensure maximum engine protection when mowing fields or woodland on steep, sloping terrain. The ATV flail mower powerful engine is supported by Honda's reputation for performance, reliability and spare parts back-up when required. These quad flail mowers are built to the highest standards in the UK, using 8mm and 5mm gauge heavy duty steel. The large diameter rotor arm is perfectly balanced to a G6.3 dynamic specification to ensure the smoothest cut possible. Unique double helix rotor blades system gives an unrivalled mowing result. Blade or flails options: High boron content steel or forged hammer. Adjustable rear grass deflector to suit different mowing applications. A full width anti-scalping roller protects the quad mower blades from damage. The twin belt auto-tensioning system reduces belt wear and slippage for the ATV Flail mower when used under rough conditions. The ATV flail mower has a straight and offset drawbar feature that can be positioned left and right to cut hedges and get into the corners of the fields. Large profile 22x1x8inch tyres for low ground impact protect the field from damage. These flail mowers have a single cutting height adjustment lever with ranges from 25mm up to 225mm. 10W/30 mineral oil is recommended.

 

[jjeff]

Speaking of mowing trails, the Chapman tow behind flail is one I'd like to try. I contacted them and they will be setting up an importer for north America.

Some specs are belowView attachment 705911
View attachment 705910

ATV FLAIL MOWER FEATURES AND BENEFITS​

The Chapman ATV flail mower has a Honda commercial grade GXV630cc 21HP V-Twin engine, featuring an oil alert warning system built in the oil pump, to ensure maximum engine protection when mowing fields or woodland on steep, sloping terrain. The ATV flail mower powerful engine is supported by Honda's reputation for performance, reliability and spare parts back-up when required. These quad flail mowers are built to the highest standards in the UK, using 8mm and 5mm gauge heavy duty steel. The large diameter rotor arm is perfectly balanced to a G6.3 dynamic specification to ensure the smoothest cut possible. Unique double helix rotor blades system gives an unrivalled mowing result. Blade or flails options: High boron content steel or forged hammer. Adjustable rear grass deflector to suit different mowing applications. A full width anti-scalping roller protects the quad mower blades from damage. The twin belt auto-tensioning system reduces belt wear and slippage for the ATV Flail mower when used under rough conditions. The ATV flail mower has a straight and offset drawbar feature that can be positioned left and right to cut hedges and get into the corners of the fields. Large profile 22x1x8inch tyres for low ground impact protect the field from damage. These flail mowers have a single cutting height adjustment lever with ranges from 25mm up to 225mm. 10W/30 mineral oil is recommended.

Wonder how good it would work with all the rocks in the keewanaw?

 

[ArlyA]

Wonder how good it would work with all the rocks in the keewanaw?

Yes, but tech trails have used flails to mow for years. They said they like it. They have rocks, just like everyone else.

 

[ArlyA]

Having a privet conversation, reminded me to say what trail clearing is, as apposed to what folks might imagine. It is not frolicking through the woods, sawing everything in sight. It is much more bucking, lopping and moving the slash out of sight. We can get lots of trail cleared with one sawyer and 2 or 3 buckers. Afterwards the hikers or skiers should not notice the slash. Lots of work, little sawing but the trail will look so much better if properly done.

 

[airbiscuit]

Well stated. It makes a huge difference having helpers move the slash. Harder/slower work if you are doing it alone. It also helps to be in beautiful country.

 

[jjeff]

Having a privet conversation, reminded me to say what trail clearing is, as apposed to what folks might imagine. It is not frolicking through the woods, sawing everything in sight. It is much more bucking, lopping and moving the slash out of sight. We can get lots of trail cleared with one sawyer and 2 or 3 buckers. Afterwards the hikers or skiers should not notice the slash. Lots of work, little sawing but the trail will look so much better if properly done.

 

[jjeff]

You ever think of chipping instead of hiding it? Makes good ground cover and decent walking trails, I spread in between tree rows.

 

[ArlyA]

You ever think of chipping instead of hiding it? Makes good ground cover and decent walking trails, I spread in between tree rows.

No. You'd need to move the chipper to the work sight, move it again every few hours as the trail is cleared, continuously move the slash to the chipper, then spread the chips out. We wouldn't get much trail work done.

If we have our 6x6 along to move tools and food along, we feel lucky. We are not shopping for a chipper.

 

[ArlyA]

Here is another trail we do, I forgot to mention. Its hot here so we did a little hike around its 3.25 miles today. 1/3 of it is single track and the remaining is logging roads. They need to be mowed! Thus the tow behind flail I posted about earlier. The single track runs along the Pilgram river which I got NO photos of.

 

[airbiscuit]

It is satisfying when you revitalize it.

 

[ArlyA]

Here is some trail clearing shots which might help to show why pole-saws have become our primary saws on the trail.

 

[ArlyA]

We returned to the Circle of Life trail at Courtney Lake in the Ottawa NF today to hike around and check things out. What you see below was harvested out a few years ago, so the maple shoots grow like weeds. These need to be knocked down with 155 strings. .170 would be better for this job.

Later we found this guy across the trail. Yes a pole-saw will be used.

Looks like someone had recently a John boat in here.

Shorty later, we seen this fellow fly off a branch right in front of us.

The same spot.

See the leaning tree on the right? Its coming down right on this floating dock.

Not the end o the hike, but all the photos I took today.

 

[airbiscuit]

Different strokes. I'd still use a more powerful conventional chainsaw on some of that.

 

[ArlyA]

We returned to the Circle of Life trail at Courtney Lake in the Ottawa NF today to hike around and check things out. What you see below was harvested out a few years ago, so the maple shoots grow like weeds. These need to be knocked down with 155 strings. .170 would be better for this job.View attachment 706284

Later we found this guy across the trail. Yes a pole-saw will be used.View attachment 706285

Looks like someone had recently a John boat in here.View attachment 706286

Shorty later, we seen this fellow fly off a branch right in front of us.View attachment 706287

The same spot. View attachment 706288

See the leaning tree on the right? Its coming down right on this floating dock.View attachment 706289

Not the end o the hike, but all the photos I took today. View attachment 706290

This trail sorta starts and ends at the NFS campground Courtney Lake. When we passed through it this day, there was a MI highway patrol, MI DNR enforcement officer and a NFS employee we happened to know there and all near a camp site. At the start of the hike around this trail, we seen a couple of ambulances leaving the area. We later found out a fellow had committed suicide at that site by shooting himself. This would have happened just a few hours before these photos were taken. Sad day at Courtney Lake campground.

 

[MoKelly]

45000 folks committed suicide last year in the US. That’s about 125 per day every day.

It is very very sad.

MoKelly

 

[ArlyA]

On a lighter note, we were out whacking down shoots and weeds on a nearby trail today.

Yes, Wally was told to go out there and do that.

Here is maple shoots coming out of a stump from an earlier cut.

All better.

 

[airbiscuit]

Who enjoys your work more - You, or your dogs?

 

[ArlyA]

Has anyone else been out clearing trails???