Trail maintence help needed

[Bigbuck]

O.K., since we're all trying to figure-out what the heck to do with their time, me included, I figure it's a good time to focus on the future.

I typically rent a skid steer and front end brush cutter to clear my trails in late summer. But it would be cool to have them ready for turkey season, without having to duck the (now) low hanging branches.

Does anyone have the right equipment, the time, and desire to get it done? All trails are established, byt just need some grooming; especially eyeball high. The property is just East of Newark, and accessible to large equipment. I'll obviously pay fair price, and can also leave beers as trail markers. Only ask is to not tear up any of the crop fields.

Give me a shout if interested.

 

[giles]

Every year I say I’m going to plunge into this market...I’ve yet to pull the trigger. Good luck finding someone. Maybe a neighboring farmer?

 

[Bigbuck]

Thanks Giles. He's (the farmer) been a great friend by just keeping an eye on the place, and doing his thing. While I know he would handle the trails if I asked him, it's not fair of me to do so. What he's already doing is way more than enough.

If someone has the equipment, gumption, needs the $, and might want to tip one back afterwards, I'd love to hear from them. A new hunting buddy would be a +

 

[5Cent]

What's the city/location and what is final width of the trail opening looking to be achieved and approx. length?

 

[Bigbuck]

Just east of Newark. Trails are already there. Just looking for them to be wide enough for a side by side without needed to duck the limbs. Not opposed to widening them, but also not necessary. All in all they may be a mile long. A few shooting lanes would be a bonus and worth the extra money.

 

[jagermeister]

Just a thought... I would rethink removing the eye-level branches. A cleared path with low hanging branches may be somewhat annoying to walk or drive through, but they are an absolute magnet for scrape activity in late October. There is a fine line between easy access and preferred deer habitat.

 

[Bigbuck]

Yeager, great point, and totally agreed. Removing those from the access trails won't leave any shortage of "ouch, aren't, my eye, what the heck" inducing branches. And (fortunately) these suckers grow fast enough one trimming won't do it all.

 

[hickslawns]

I wouldn't bring my skid loaders out in this sloppy mud mess right now. If you rent one you might want one with tracks. Even then. . .I'd be nervous.

 

[Bigbuck]

Thanks Hickslawns. Yep totally agreed. Overall, there are only a few mucky parts in these conditions, but I've always used one with tracks mostly just due to the slope in some areas. Which by the way, the tracks are amazing! I've gotten slightly nervous at times on a 4×4 tractor when I was really pushing it, but never on a skid steer with tracks. They are absolute tanks. When I win the lotto one of those will be purchase #1, for sure!

Me and my hunting buddies have our prep weekend planned where I'll rent one of those, but it's always the overhead limbs that seem to get missed...thinking the bs'ing, bbq, comfy rocking chairs...and possibly the adult beverages...might be the reason why. But all that aside, if someone is just looking to get outdoors and make some reasonable $, I could use the help. Because admittedly, I like driving the skid steer.

 

[jagermeister]

Ask your rental company if they have access to a Fecon head. There are other brands as well. But basically, it's a mulching type "drum" style head that will chew up anything you throw at it. It attaches to the front of the skid-steer... Then you can run it low to the ground like a mower, or lift it up in the air to take out overhanging limbs. Most of these heads are rated to take out trees that are 4" DBH or better.

 

[Dustinb80]

Ask your rental company if they have access to a Fecon head. There are other brands as well. But basically, it's a mulching type "drum" style head that will chew up anything you throw at it. It attaches to the front of the skid-steer... Then you can run it low to the ground like a mower, or lift it up in the air to take out overhanging limbs. Most of these heads are rated to take out trees that are 4" DBH or better.

Their plant isnt far from me right now. Pretty cool shit they make.

 

[Bigbuck]

Bumping to the top, because I'd love to get it done before turkey season...

Still looking for someone willing to get in and knock down the trails and eye-level branches. Willing to pay reasonable $ for time and equipment.

The trails are there, just need a good grooming. If able to open a few other shooting lanes, that would be a bonus for both.

The fam and I will be there Sunday so I could give ya' a tour of the trails I'm talking about.

 

[xbowguy]

Sounds like you may be awful close to my location.....

 

[Big_Holla]

I'm in basically the same boat getting things done. I could ask the farmer that plants our fields but the last time I did he wouldn't take any $$ and had broken something on his brush hog. Felt like shit he still wouldn't take $$ or the offer to pay for the fix. So I'm back to just doing things myself which is why I had been looking at a trailer to get my mower down. Still haven't pulled the trigger on it yet with everything going on but that is my plan for the moment. Take one trail at a time and hopefully get things done. Good luck on finding someone to do the work for you. Take some pictures to share once you get started!

 

[Bigbuck]

Thanks Big. I will for sure. And good luck on your project!