trail clearing technique and tools

[ArlyA]

The tools along while blazing.

And the help.

 

[MossRoad]

Nice!

 

[ning]

Try wrapping your hand/wrist when using the brush cutter.

And, wear a wrist brace at night. I too will wake at night from carpel tunnel pains in my hands but sleeping with a simple loose "wrist brace" is all it takes to get through the night.

I've found that the combination of land work (amateur/hobbyist) and computer work (professional) can wreak havoc on the hands and wrists.

Don't forget the muscles that open/unclench your fingers and the ones that pull the wrist back away from the grip - usually when I have wrist pain I can do some light wrist reverse curls, with a small dumbell or other weight, and this helps the wrist greatly.

Even if you look like those muscles are heavy duty on your arm, you can probably use a bit more concentrated strength there to balance - if when you stand with your arms relaxed at your sides, if your wrists automatically curl in a bit you're probably out of balance.

Basically put your arm, palm down, across a bench or counter so that the forearm is supported; grasp a weight in the hand, gently lower your wrist down with gravity, pull back up - only flexing the wrist. Repeat. Make sure you use a light weight, I'm serious, most of us other don't use these muscles much.

 

[ArlyA]

I've found that the combination of land work (amateur/hobbyist) and computer work (professional) can wreak havoc on the hands and wrists.

Don't forget the muscles that open/unclench your fingers and the ones that pull the wrist back away from the grip - usually when I have wrist pain I can do some light wrist reverse curls, with a small dumbell or other weight, and this helps the wrist greatly.

Even if you look like those muscles are heavy duty on your arm, you can probably use a bit more concentrated strength there to balance - if when you stand with your arms relaxed at your sides, if your wrists automatically curl in a bit you're probably out of balance.

Basically put your arm, palm down, across a bench or counter so that the forearm is supported; grasp a weight in the hand, gently lower your wrist down with gravity, pull back up - only flexing the wrist. Repeat. Make sure you use a light weight, I'm serious, most of us other don't use these muscles much.

The fellow with the wrist grief has not responded since.

 

[dodge man]

Is that spider man driving the 4 wheeler?

 

[ArlyA]

While on a hike over the 4th, in northern MN, we passed a power line grade that had been freshly brushed. All I ever seen doing this job is a skidsteer with a carbide toothed spinning thing. What are they called? I'd like to know how they miss the rocks!

 

[ArlyA]

Today I picked up a kubota tractor owned by a good Samaritan who likes our trails. With it today I smoothed out some lumps of dirt left by a logging company to improve drainage for our parking lot and snow removal. Plus I knocked out some old stumps I hit while plowing. On Saturday i will be mowing with it.

 

[airbiscuit]

Pretty trusting of a guy to lend his cabbed tractor for work in the woods.

 

[dodge man]

Arly, I believe they are called forestry mulchers. They are quite the machines and are expensive. I know they also take a lot of hydraulic flow to run them to. I suspect they start out with the head held high and work their way lower with it to avoid rocks but I’m not sure. Like everything I suspect they get skilled.

Looks like your solidly in the tractor shopping mode after borrowing that bad boy. Nice of him to lend it to you.

 

[2manyrocks]

Working a trail from the comfort of an AC cab.

 

[ArlyA]

Got the trails mowed today. Took about 5 hours with this 72" cut machine. Grass, shoots and weeds not all that thick this years due to lack of rain. Did see some 4ft tall ferns along the way. This tractor did have ac but prefer not have the cab for ground visibility sake.

All done.

 

[airbiscuit]

Much better/easier than using a string trimmer. Looks great.

 

[ArlyA]

Much better/easier than using a string trimmer. Looks great.

yes, but we'll still need to run strings out there later. Did get LOTS done today.

 

[2manyrocks]

Ridin' in style.

 

[Hay Dude]

Was doing an HOA cutting last week with the F-3680. Just unloading here

Noticed rapid overgrowth of walking trail. I have to get this crap cut back on this walking trail we mow. They want a bid. About 1/2 mile of trail. Thought of possibly using the Stihl Kombi and the “hedge clipper” attachment. Mostly multi-flora, vines. Light stuff.

 

[Grumpycat]

Arly, I believe they are called forestry mulchers. They are quite the machines and are expensive. I know they also take a lot of hydraulic flow to run them to. I suspect they start out with the head held high and work their way lower with it to avoid rocks but I’m not sure. Like everything I suspect they get skilled.

Am told they are terribly expensive to insure for liability.

 

[airbiscuit]

They do a great job under the power lines though.

 

[Fixastuff]

I just bought a flail with hammer cutters for my bigger excavator. Can't wait for it to show up.

 

[ArlyA]

With the back-blade on the loaner kubota* I smoothed up dirt lumps more today after speaking with a snow plow guy. Then a trail walk. Lots of people out there today but no pics of them. I may be an amateur but I was proud of the the smoothness I achieved.

*I do not like the single forward-reverse peddle in these machines.

 

[airbiscuit]

Nice work!

The Kubota Treadle is definitely a "Goofy Foot"