trail clearing technique and tools

[ArlyA]

We will be opening up a new XC trail very near us this fall and will of course post pics of clearing that.. Any questions or comments? Below is pole saws at work again.

Guys building a MB trail in Ely MN.

Good parts left along the trail?

 

[Root Cause]

Just bought 5 acres in a remote area. I drive about 4 miles down a gravel road. Accessibility is ok with an SUV but nearly impassible with my RV. The Pine trees are the worst as the branches grow straight out and are brittle. I have to drive in the wrong lane at times to keep the limbs from damaging the fiberglass. It looks like I am the only one with this problem so it will be up to me to cut it all back.

What tools will I need to buy? I have a tractor and an SXS but I can't imagine using a pole saw to cut back that much. The RV is 12' high so I know I have to go higher and cut back farther than the shoulder if possible.

I have honestly thought about fabbing a bracket, to mount the chain saw onto the side of the loader bucket if I could figure out how to actuate the trigger.

Thoughts?

 

[ArlyA]

Just bought 5 acres in a remote area. I drive about 4 miles down a gravel road. Accessibility is ok with an SUV but nearly impassible with my RV. The Pine trees are the worst as the branches grow straight out and are brittle. I have to drive in the wrong lane at times to keep the limbs from damaging the fiberglass. It looks like I am the only one with this problem so it will be up to me to cut it all back.

What tools will I need to buy? I have a tractor and an SXS but I can't imagine using a pole saw to cut back that much. The RV is 12' high so I know I have to go higher and cut back farther than the shoulder if possible.

I have honestly thought about fabbing a bracket, to mount the chain saw onto the side of the loader bucket if I could figure out how to actuate the trigger.

Thoughts?

I would recommend a pole saw. Not the telescoping type but like the ones you see in this thread. It really does the job.

 

[ArlyA]

More trail pics taken near Ely MN in the Superior national forest and there crews do the clearing on it. You can see fresh chips in the one photo.

 

[Bearsixty7]

Just bought 5 acres in a remote area. I drive about 4 miles down a gravel road. Accessibility is ok with an SUV but nearly impassible with my RV. The Pine trees are the worst as the branches grow straight out and are brittle. I have to drive in the wrong lane at times to keep the limbs from damaging the fiberglass. It looks like I am the only one with this problem so it will be up to me to cut it all back.

What tools will I need to buy? I have a tractor and an SXS but I can't imagine using a pole saw to cut back that much. The RV is 12' high so I know I have to go higher and cut back farther than the shoulder if possible.

I have honestly thought about fabbing a bracket, to mount the chain saw onto the side of the loader bucket if I could figure out how to actuate the trigger.

Thoughts?

Lane Shark! ... If you can afford one and you're tractor is big enough.

Lane Shark...Anyone use one of these?

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Looking for Lane Shark feedback from end users

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[airbiscuit]

 

[Root Cause]

Thanks for all the feedback.
There are 70 plots with probably 50 owners who use these roads. I was told that it was up to everyone to keep the limbs cut back. I know from experience that when everyone is in charge, no one is in charge.

I will keep the land shark in my back pocket but I will have to find out if my CUT would even handle that and 2nd, others would have to pitch in to help with the purchase.

As for using a pole saw, I am clearing land and building a home over the next year, I can't see me trimming 8 miles of roadway, 14' high by myself.

Thanks again and I will keep hunting for a solution that fits the budget and the time allotment.

 

[ArlyA]

Thanks for all the feedback.
There are 70 plots with probably 50 owners who use these roads. I was told that it was up to everyone to keep the limbs cut back. I know from experience that when everyone is in charge, no one is in charge.

I will keep the land shark in my back pocket but I will have to find out if my CUT would even handle that and 2nd, others would have to pitch in to help with the purchase.

As for using a pole saw, I am clearing land and building a home over the next year, I can't see me trimming 8 miles of roadway, 14' high by myself.

Thanks again and I will keep hunting for a solution that fits the budget and the time allotment.

We've cleared far more than 8 miles in a summer. Maybe you should consider a contractor?

 

[ArlyA]

We started into the clearing of a new XC trail today. In these pics we are cleaning up new growth on a old logging road.

Heading out. Could we fit more junk in the Boss's bed!!?? Do love this machine for doing trails.

The start of weed whacking.

This is the maple shoots we'll need to get out. Of course much lopping was done as well. Not much logging road left!

In his pic, the lopping was done and now the smaller shoots with be cut with .155 string.

This is how the corridor looked when we were done. More pics to follow.

 

[airbiscuit]

A rough cut mower would do a dandy job on that trail.

 

[two_bit_score]

A rough cut mower would do a dandy job on that trail.

I think I’d be looking for a mower to pull behind the Boss.

 

[ArlyA]

A rough cut mower would do a dandy job on that trail.

We used a DR* rough cut mower for about 10 years. It left tall stubble and trees shoots that might flatten atv tires. We like a lower cut.

* can not recommend there products.

 

[ArlyA]

I think I’d be looking for a mower to pull behind the Boss.

We are looking to get this Chapman flail mower. They are British made and there is a dealer in NY who doesn't respond to emails..

 

[airbiscuit]

There you go

 

[ArlyA]

More pics of future clearing needed. In the top one, the shoots on the sides with be cut back or they come down into the corridor over the winter. Bottom photo will be a turn around point.

 

[two_bit_score]

We are looking to get this Chapman flail mower. They are British made and there is a dealer in NY who doesn't respond to emails..

That’s some pretty rough stuff he’s going through in that video!

 

[ArlyA]

That’s some pretty rough stuff he’s going through in that video!

I recall a video DR made of there tow-behind mower which we got showing 4ft tall grass of sorts being knocked down with it. After getting it and putting it to use, we ended up doing around 2 hours or repairs for every 4 hours of mowing we did with it...... So I'll take Chapman made video with a grain of salt.

 

[ArlyA]

The Chapman dealer in NY did get back with me today. They don't have any 5ft version in stock but they do run $6800 plus shipping to us. This is the dealer
Mullally Tractor Sales - New & Used Tractors, Service, and Parts in Jeffersonville, NY, near Liberty and Callicoon Center

 

[airbiscuit]

Time to put you in the seat of a Compact Tractor!

 

[ArlyA]

On Saturday we'll be out clearing this trail again. Anyone else out doing theirs?