Trail Tool Time

[dobbyhasfriends]

Second one done, I'll make a couple more and then get to welding

 

[Stihldog]

Second one done, I'll make a couple more and then get to welding View attachment 88820

That’s it! Nice

I suppose you’ll figure out the proper handle length but there’s my rogue, 34” handle and old tire tubes wrapped to protect the backpack.

 

[Stihldog]

Btw, there’s a slight curvature from the cutter to the rake. I don’t know if that’s necessary or what the radius might be? I use all 4 sides but the blade/cutter side cuts through roots like butter. Good for tamping also. I hope you get the colour choice right .

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

Btw, there’s a slight curvature from the cutter to the rake. I don’t know if that’s necessary or what the radius might be? I use all 4 sides but the blade/cutter side cuts through roots like butter. Good for tamping also. I hope you get the colour choice right .

ah yea I see the curve, probably makes cutting and dragging easier!

 

[Stihldog]

I know it doesn’t look like much but this small creek crossing was a disaster from past logging practices and an impossible mud hole to cross. Took a few days to correct the water flow and clean out the debris.

This trail is not well travelled and is quite secluded, but some hikers/dog walkers have agreed that this is a beautiful area for a trail. This lengthy trail is perfect for eMTB’s also because it’s a loop with lots of potential for moderate features. It’s very unlikely that regular mtb’ers will venture here because the access and exit can be difficult …and lengthy.…but Kudos to them if they give it a try.

The approach to the bridge.

Hauled in some stringers and sleepers from some nearby downed trees.

A little help from a friend.

And finally the finished product.
Might build one more bridge or possibly a wooden berm on this trail, but mostly the terrain needs a cleanup, slight fixing and an interesting path with some switchbacks. There’s several natural features on this trail but I’ll leave it to others to decide if any man-made features are needed. I hope to be finished this fall or early winter.

 

[Stihldog]

Picked up this new tool yesterday. Just need to figure out how to pack it. 16” bar (13”cut). Should help with trail maintenance and make quick work of those blow-down-snags.

Note the gratuitous picture of my iPhone charger.

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

Picked up this new tool yesterday. Just need to figure out how to pack it. 16” bar (13”cut). Should help with trail maintenance and make quick work of those blow-down-snags. View attachment 102858
Note the gratuitous picture of my iPhone charger.

seriously considered swapping my stihl for one of those because of fuel and the fact I have about 10 milwaukee batteries.. let me know how you get on with it

 

[Stihldog]

seriously considered swapping my stihl for one of those because of fuel and the fact I have about 10 milwaukee batteries.. let me know how you get on with it

Yah, I’ll test it out in the next few days. I have 9 5ah batteries. The 12ah battery is $300+. That’s what I paid for the saw. I’ll take 4 batteries with me.

 

[Mabman]

I use a Grunden's back pack that is large enough to put the saw in head side down/handle away, plus a couple batteries. Heavy on the back but certainly doable, especially with an eBike. I only bring it once in awhile if there is something too big for the sawzall and M12 Hatchet tool.

I used to do trail work off a Rokon years ago and it had a nice rear rack for the saw and I bungied a milk crate on the front rack for gas/oil/water/snacks but I really don't see a clear way on a conventional MTB to carry one.

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

Yah, I’ll test it out in the next few days. I have 9 5ah batteries. The 12ah battery is $300+. That’s what I paid for the saw. I’ll take 4 batteries with me.

the 12ah batteries definitely deliver a better kick, I use them with a milwaukee cutoff wheel to cut concrete floors etc, the power it delivers over a 5ah is hugely different, no slow down and no loss of torque but as you say... $300

 

[Stihldog]

The 12ah battery would’ve been better. I used 3 5ah batteries for this log. The motor stalled a few times probably because there was some big knots inside. Just had to feather the bar at a few spots.

I’m use to larger Stihl saws (032, 066 and 084) but I was impressed with this little guy. It did the job. Diameter of this log was about 22” Douglas Fir…and very hairy. 6-8” knots.
Al in all I was pretty happy with it. Keep the chain sharp, chain oil and charge the batteries.

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

The 12ah battery would’ve been better. I used 3 5ah batteries for this log. The motor stalled a few times probably because there was some big knots inside. Just had to feather the bar at a few spots.

I’m use to larger Stihl saws (032, 066 and 084) but I was impressed with this little guy. It did the job. Diameter of this log was about 22” Douglas Fir…and very hairy. 6-8” knots. View attachment 102959 View attachment 102960 View attachment 102961 View attachment 102962 View attachment 102963 View attachment 102964 View attachment 102965 View attachment 102966
Al in all I was pretty happy with it. Keep the chain sharp, chain oil and charge the batteries.

great job.. I wonder if its easier or even faster to use one of the giant silky saws ? they aint cheap but they do fold up and ive used a smaller version and theyre awesome

Silky Fox Folding Saws > Katanaboy 1000

Silky Fox, UK based suppiers of Silky pruning, folding and pole saws, designed for arboriculture, gardens and tree care.

www.silkyfox.co.uk

 

[Stihldog]

I still have something like that folding hand saw for small trail limbs (4-6”). I’ve also cut some 12” blowdown but it takes a while. Fits in my hip-pac and is fairly light.

 

[Dax]

Check out the dakine builder pack and the evoc trail builder pack, both are designed for chainsaw carry. I have the evoc, it works well.

Notably all the photos have got a fairly small saw, I’ve always used mine with a little makita battery saw and it works well, I haven’t offered up a big petrol saw yet to see how useable it is.

 

[Stihldog]

Check out the dakine builder pack and the evoc trail builder pack, both are designed for chainsaw carry. I have the evoc, it works well.

Notably all the photos have got a fairly small saw, I’ve always used mine with a little makita battery saw and it works well, I haven’t offered up a big petrol saw yet to see how useable it is.

View attachment 102972

I made sure the Milwaukee saw and some batteries would fit before I purchased the Evoc pack. Tight fit though. Total weight might be 25lbs. …or less with everything.

 

[Stihldog]

Check out the dakine builder pack and the evoc trail builder pack, both are designed for chainsaw carry. I have the evoc, it works …
View attachment 102972

Just ordered the Evoc Trail Builder. Should be here in a few weeks.

A new year and a new project. I decided this new Evoc pac makes sense since I’m packing the Milwaukee saw, Rogue, shovel, small garden rake, batteries etc. over a slightly longer distance.

So I recently finished the trail I’ve been working on for the past year. 4 bridges, several drops, technical but kinda flowie. Perfect for hiking and eMTB’s. It’s more of a loop so riders on analog mtb’s don’t venture to this area…except a few.

These jumps are well above my pay-grade but they are well built. The builder has pouched “my” trail but I’ve also pouched his trail. I think there’s an understanding. We’re both confined to a secluded area which is bordered by a creek/ravine and a river. Any water flow and environmental issues is a priority for both of us. Past logging practices has caused some problems and Logging debris has blocked some of the creeks and drainage, but I correct those when I can.

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

Just ordered the Evoc Trail Builder. Should be here in a few weeks.

A new year and a new project. I decided this new Evoc pac makes sense since I’m packing the Milwaukee saw, Rogue, shovel, small garden rake, batteries etc. over a slightly longer distance.

So I recently finished the trail I’ve been working on for the past year. 4 bridges, several drops, technical but kinda flowie. Perfect for hiking and eMTB’s. It’s more of a loop so riders on analog mtb’s don’t venture to this area…except a few.
View attachment 105320 View attachment 105321 View attachment 105322 View attachment 105323 View attachment 105324 View attachment 105325 View attachment 105326 View attachment 105327
These jumps are well above my pay-grade but they are well built. The builder has pouched “my” trail but I’ve also pouched his trail. I think there’s an understanding. We’re both confined to a secluded area which is bordered by a creek/ravine and a river. Any water flow and environmental issues is a priority for both of us. Past logging practices has caused some problems and Logging debris has blocked some of the creeks and drainage, but I correct those when I can.

awesome work mate !

 

[Zimmerframe]

For the extremely lazy or those short of time, or just people who prefer riding nice wide loamy trails the patented EMTB trail tool is available :

 

[Dax]

For the extremely lazy or those short of time, or just people who prefer riding nice wide loamy trails the patented EMTB trail tool is available

All of the above

 

[Stihldog]

I spend some of my “trail-fixin” time on riding back-forth to the area.

This was tried on the Whistler/Blackcomb trails a few years ago. Gives me an idea .

 

[steve_sordy]

I love the heli-ride. You get your bike washed for free when it rains and blow-dried when it stops.

 

[Stihldog]

I love the heli-ride. You get your bike washed for free when it rains and blow-dried when it stops.

I’m mostly concerned about the effect of rotor wash on my hair. I have 2 left and I wouldn’t want to get them messy. Btw, I part my hair in the middle.

 

[steve_sordy]

I have only been in one helicopter in my life. It was for work and a prospective supplier took us on a tour of potential locations for a new warehouse build. We landed on a massive spoil heap left over from the old steel works in Corby, UK. We then went walkabout for a while. When we got back it seemed like all the local kids were swarming over the helicopter. They were hanging from the tail rotor, trying to get into the cockpit and passenger areas, opening hatches, you name it! The pilot was going frantic because there was no way he could stop them on his own. Reinforced by five adults we gained control, eventually. It took a while for him to check everything. (We don't mind, take as long as you need!)

A young girl who looked about 9 years old came up to me and cried plaintively that we had ruined her birthday party! Apparently as soon as we landed, all her guests climbed over the garden fence and ran towards the helicopter. I reassured her that everyone would be talking about her party when they got into school the next day. She wasn't convinced.

Just as I thought we were about to get on board and leave, an aggressive Scotsman with what looked like two pit bulls on string came striding up demanding to know what we were about. He lived "just over there" and wanted to know what would be happening, by whom and when. He wanted company names and our names so that he could contact his MP to find out what was really going on. Jesus wept; I wish we hadn't landed! We sure didn't learn anything extra by landing, except to think twice before doing so! Five guys in suits landing by helicopter in a run-down area next to a housing estate can cause a bit of a stir!

 

[steve_sordy]

I’m mostly concerned about the effect of rotor wash on my hair. I have 2 left and I wouldn’t want to get them messy. Btw, I part my hair in the middle.

Tie them in a nice bow, you wouldn't want them to be flapping about - it's not a good look!

 

[Stihldog]

I have only been in one helicopter in my life. It was for work and a prospective supplier took us on a tour of potential locations for a new warehouse build. We landed on a massive spoil heap left over from the old steel works in Corby, UK. We then went walkabout for a while. When we got back it seemed like all the local kids were swarming over the helicopter. They were hanging from the tail rotor, trying to get into the cockpit and passenger areas, opening hatches, you name it! The pilot was going frantic because there was no way he could stop them on his own. Reinforced by five adults we gained control, eventually. It took a while for him to check everything. (We don't mind, take as long as you need!)

A young girl who looked about 9 years old came up to me and cried plaintively that we had ruined her birthday party! Apparently as soon as we landed, all her guests climbed over the garden fence and ran towards the helicopter. I reassured her that everyone would be talking about her party when they got into school the next day. She wasn't convinced.

Just as I thought we were about to get on board and leave, an aggressive Scotsman with what looked like two pit bulls on string came striding up demanding to know what we were about. He lived "just over there" and wanted to know what would be happening, by whom and when. He wanted company names and our names so that he could contact his MP to find out what was really going on. Jesus wept; I wish we hadn't landed! We sure didn't learn anything extra by landing, except to think twice before doing so! Five guys in suits landing by helicopter in a run-down area next to a housing estate can cause a bit of a stir!

Whoa, never been swarmed like that. No wonder the pilot freaked out.

My last 15 years, as a Westcoast Faller, my daily ride was an assortment of Huey 500 and Jet Ranger helicopters. Bad weather, malfunctions and some pilot errors make for some good stories.
But once, while sitting in the co-pilot seat of a Huey 500, I said to the pilot “let’s see what this baby’s got”…holy sh*t!!! That was the last time I said that to a pilot. There is no roller coaster that can compare. I swear I could hear “Flight of the Vallkyries”.

 

[Stihldog]

Day 2; same ‘Ole Franks’ trail (posted day 1 in pic of the day recently) and finally cleared the winter damage. Two hikers helped me push the log off the trail.

Hmmm, someone carved an arrow and their initial in the log.

Cleaned up a few other minor things too, but it’s good to go.

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

Day 2; same ‘Ole Franks’ trail (posted day 1 in pic of the day recently) and finally cleared the winter damage. Two hikers helped me push the log off the trail.
View attachment 106517 View attachment 106518 View attachment 106519 View attachment 106520 View attachment 106521
Hmmm, someone carved an arrow and their initial in the log.
View attachment 106522
Cleaned up a few other minor things too, but it’s good to go.

inspirational mate

 

[Stihldog]

So I finally broke the the handle on both the shovel and rogue this week. I knew the handle on the shovel was about to break, but the handle on the rogue was definitely “operator-abuse”. I tried to use it as a peavy or lever(whoops).




The handle (hickory?) on the Rogue was glued and pinned in place so it took some grinding, drilling and chiseling to get it ready for a new handle. The old shovel had seen better days. I replaced it with a new $13 shovel. A new handle would have cost $25(wtf)???


Anyways, the new handle for the Rogue was tapered and would not fit unless I custom sized it. Cut the taper off (6”) and lathed the correct diameter and depth. Once it seemed like it would fit I added some construction glue (PL 200). Rather than using a clevis pin, which would require mushrooming on one side, I used two stainless steel wood screws with round heads. Seems to work.

I cut the handle to length (shortish) and wrapped the ends with hockey tape (for those serious digging moments ) and better grip. Hockey tape is like duct tape but with better grip. .

So it all fits in the Evoc pack, along with the chainsaw and other things. I generally stash the tools close to the trail in an ole stump. I wrap the electric chainsaw in plastic bags but the other tools can be damp sometimes.

 

[RustyIron]

but the handle on the rogue was definitely “operator-abuse”. I tried to use it as a peavy or lever(whoops).

Nah, the handle was junk, and clearly not robust enough to withstand REAL work.

I like your treatment of the ends with what looks like cord wrapped underneath the friction tape. I might give that a shot on one of my hoes.

Y'know... I've never understood why manufactures put a pin through a taper. I can't tell you how many times I've had a handle break, always at the pin. I've started epoxying handles into place, as there's nothing worse than trying to work with a wobbly handle.

 

[Stihldog]

Nah, the handle was junk, and clearly not robust enough to withstand REAL work.

I like your treatment of the ends with what looks like cord wrapped underneath the friction tape. I might give that a shot on one of my hoes.

Y'know... I've never understood why manufactures put a pin through a taper. I can't tell you how many times I've had a handle break, always at the pin. I've started epoxying handles into place, as there's nothing worse than trying to work with a wobbly handle.

I agree. Those pins can be a pita.
The grips are the same I’ve used for my hockey sticks. Peel out one arm length is tape, then spin it so it looks like a cord. (Don’t cut)Starting at the end of the handle and create a small knob. Then wind the tape-cord down the shaft until the tape is flat again. Now start taping towards the knob while covering the tape-cord and finish with a few wraps at the knob. Done!

I’ve done many many hockey sticks this way …takes me about a minute…and usually last until I break the stick (one stick every 3-4 games on average). $30-$50 a stick back then. Now there’re $300+ fake wood (carbon).