trail clearing technique and tools

[Smokeydog]

My Veterinarian and I were talking about clearing limbs and trees from around pastures and fields yesterday. He purchased a tracked skidsteer with HD rotary cutter. Works great but is considerably more expensive to run and maintain compared to a tractor.

 

[2manyrocks]

CTLs with mulching heads or HD cutters are the thing, now. I see guys on YT mowing pastures that I'd just cut with my tractor and rotary cutter.

So far as trail making and clearing goes, I've been impressed by the PCW-4000 portable capstan winch when it comes to being able to move both logs and rocks in areas difficult to access with my tractor. This is their only gas winch that has a built in progress capture and the capstan doesn't turn until you throttle up the engine. I was reluctant to buy one because of the expense and worrying whether it would actually work for me. I lucked into a used one at a decent price on ebay. First use was pulling some large rocks into place for a retaining wall. Next use was pulling tension on some leaning trees to fell them where I wanted, and then moving the debris out of the way. Can't say it's fast, but it works. GX50 Gas-Powered Portable Winch

 

[ArlyA]

If I could locate a good used JD 3033r or 3039r tractor at a reasonable price I'd be ticked pink. I'd go for a Kubota as well but I don't know there line very well. Here is one I used

 

[2manyrocks]

Give this economy another 6 months and the deals may start coming your way.

 

[airbiscuit]

A New Holland TC33 or TC40 (built by Shibaura) would be a good choice as well.

 

[jjeff]

A tractor will suit your needs well imo, are you keeping an open mind for open station tractors? Speaking of trail clearing tools my smaller echo srm 225 has been solid it's super lightweight always starts despite infrequent use up north and operates like much more frequently used and heavier Husqvarnas I've acquired down state but almost half the price.

 

[ArlyA]

A tractor will suit your needs well imo, are you keeping an open mind for open station tractors? Speaking of trail clearing tools my smaller echo srm 225 has been solid it's super lightweight always starts despite infrequent use up north and operates like much more frequently used and heavier Husqvarnas I've acquired down state but almost half the price.

Open station and HST tranny

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[ning]

View attachment 882355

doubts on 1700lb of beet juice in the rears unless that tractor is a lot bigger than I think it is

should be ~38 gallons per tire, at 10.7-11 pounds per gallon, for about 840 pounds total
maybe he has doubles? lol

 

[chris the wrench]

Have you run into any prohibition or restriction using gasoline powered equipment to perform trail maintainence?

Here it is banned but government agencies freely ignore the prohibition but small time mom and pop are on the hook to be electric otherwise subject to fines.

Only time Ive run into no gas is when working in designated Wilderness Areas. Rest of the time gas in fine, except when the fire hazards are too high for chain sawing.

 

[ArlyA]

A New Holland TC33 or TC40 (built by Shibaura) would be a good choice as well.

View attachment 882319

I only have dealerships nearby for Jd and Kubota that I care to use.

 

[dodge man]

Arly do you ever weed eat along paved areas? I’m using 080 Stihl line and if just weed eating grass it hold up well. I have a long 600 foot paved driveway and when I edge along it the string breaks a lot. My weed eater head hold two 10 feet pieces but I usually load 8 or 9 feet. I often have to load the spool twice just to do along the driveway. Any ideas? Would 095 string hold up better?

 

[MossRoad]

Arly do you ever weed eat along paved areas? I’m using 080 Stihl line and if just weed eating grass it hold up well. I have a long 600 foot paved driveway and when I edge along it the string breaks a lot. My weed eater head hold two 10 feet pieces but I usually load 8 or 9 feet. I often have to load the spool twice just to do along the driveway. Any ideas? Would 095 string hold up better?

I don't know about ArlyA's situation, but I was using 080 in our string trimmer last night on the driveway and it kept breaking off before being able to tap advance. I kept having to stop and redo it. I switched to 095, dual strings like you describe, and it did a much better job at lower speed. Tap advanced better, too.

I don't know if it was just crummy 080 line, or better 095. No scientific stuff, just 'seemed' the 095 did a better job to me.

 

[2manyrocks]

Arly do you ever weed eat along paved areas? I’m using 080 Stihl line and if just weed eating grass it hold up well. I have a long 600 foot paved driveway and when I edge along it the string breaks a lot. My weed eater head hold two 10 feet pieces but I usually load 8 or 9 feet. I often have to load the spool twice just to do along the driveway. Any ideas? Would 095 string hold up better?

Sounds like the string is getting beaten to death on the pavement edge?

Weed killer cuts down on weed eating.

 

[ArlyA]

There isn't much difference between 80 and 95 string. I'd suggest you get to a cam lock head with 155 size. The only down side of these is running that up against trees or wood or vinyl siding you like to keep.

 

[MossRoad]

There isn't much difference between 80 and 95 string. I'd suggest you get to a cam lock head with 155 size. The only down side of these is running that up against trees or wood or vinyl siding you like to keep.

Yeah, I've chipped some vinyl down low along our shed. Doesn't take much. OUCH!

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I have done lots of edging with a string trimmer. My experience has been to feed out line faster than it wears out. Typically the thinner line melts at the eyelets causing the whole string to break off. If you feed a bump at a time pretty regularly you will likely get better longevity, even if the string is still long enough and the ends get cut off by the blade on the guard, as backwards as that sounds.

 

[Grumpycat]

Husqvarna used to sell titanium reinforced string. Not sure if it was really better or just marketing?

 

[ArlyA]

Husqvarna used to sell titanium reinforced string. Not sure if it was really better or just marketing?

There was no titanium in it. That was marketing but I do have pants with "titanium" weaved into them.

 

[ArlyA]

Sounds like the string is getting beaten to death on the pavement edge?

Weed killer cuts down on weed eating.

Pavement edges should be no dig deal to strings.