Portable Trail Maintenance Equipment

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wnshall
Posts: 186
Joined: July 17th, 2009, 10:31 am

Portable Trail Maintenance Equipment

Post by wnshall » March 24th, 2021, 1:29 pm

Hi everyone,
For those of you who carry something with you to do light trail maintenance while out hiking, I'm wondering what you recommend? What do you find most useful? Do you have a favorite lopper, hand saw, or something else you recommend?

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mjirving
Posts: 1185
Joined: July 5th, 2011, 10:40 am

Re: Portable Trail Maintenance Equipment

Post by mjirving » March 24th, 2021, 5:57 pm

I have this saw that I love. It goes through trees like butter and is really light. It’s spendy but it’s great.

https://www.knifepointgear.com/product- ... acking-saw

I was debating about carrying my 20lb Ego electric chainsaw in my pack for training weight when I’m getting ready for my big hikes. (Where allowed) 😉

Mike

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Swede
Posts: 90
Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm

Re: Portable Trail Maintenance Equipment

Post by Swede » March 24th, 2021, 7:28 pm

I always carry this Silky Pocketboy saw. I've done a lot of brushcutting with it, including some pretty large rhodies and vine maples. https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Fol ... B0014C7XS0

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retired jerry
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Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm

Re: Portable Trail Maintenance Equipment

Post by retired jerry » March 25th, 2021, 3:41 pm

I often take https://shop.coronatoolsusa.com/rs-4040 ... -2-in.html

5.5 ounces, 6.5 inch blade, cuts pretty good

Webfoot
Posts: 1759
Joined: November 25th, 2015, 11:06 am
Location: Troutdale

Re: Portable Trail Maintenance Equipment

Post by Webfoot » May 17th, 2021, 9:27 am

A machete, to stay as far from blackberry canes as possible. No hand pruners or pocket saws for me!

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Don Nelsen
Posts: 4377
Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
Location: Vancouver, WA

Re: Portable Trail Maintenance Equipment

Post by Don Nelsen » May 17th, 2021, 5:14 pm

I usually carry this set of tools. The saw is almost 13" and is very easy to use cutting through even 8" logs and rarely up to 10". The clippers are very light, aluminum frame.
IMG_1951.JPG
Of course, when I get really serious, I use this. With the 14" bar it's only 10 lbs including the battery, and I've cut logs up to 26" in diameter.

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain ... msa200cbq/
"Everything works in the planning stage" - Kelly

"If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do" - Warren Miller

Webfoot
Posts: 1759
Joined: November 25th, 2015, 11:06 am
Location: Troutdale

Re: Portable Trail Maintenance Equipment

Post by Webfoot » May 18th, 2021, 9:02 am

Don, your trail work is surely more serious than any I've done but what do you do with blackberries or anything else prickly?

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Don Nelsen
Posts: 4377
Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
Location: Vancouver, WA

Re: Portable Trail Maintenance Equipment

Post by Don Nelsen » May 18th, 2021, 10:40 am

Goatskin leather gloves are useful coupled with my hand saw. The pruner works well on smaller blackberry vines but will cut only to 3/4". When the going gets really tough, I use this: Takes the same battery as the chain saw and the battery lasts over an hour and a half, which is longer than I have the energy to wield it. Mostly, the hedge trimmer gets used to keep blackberries at bay in my back yard.

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/hedge ... ers/hsa66/
"Everything works in the planning stage" - Kelly

"If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do" - Warren Miller

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mjirving
Posts: 1185
Joined: July 5th, 2011, 10:40 am

Re: Portable Trail Maintenance Equipment

Post by mjirving » May 18th, 2021, 10:57 am

I’ve got all the EGO Power+ battery power tools. (16” chain saw, blower, hedge trimmer and dual-line string trimmer. They are all beasts (as I’m sure the Stihl is too) I use them to maintain the trail near my house, but I’m getting ready to up my training for my annual PCT section hike and had the thought that I should make it useful weight and take my chainsaw. I’m glad to see I’m not the only crazy hikier out there! Haha!

Mike

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mjirving
Posts: 1185
Joined: July 5th, 2011, 10:40 am

Re: Portable Trail Maintenance Equipment

Post by mjirving » May 22nd, 2021, 6:31 pm

I used my “portable equipment” on my hike on the PCT by Three Corner Rock this morning. Cleared 12 blow-downs with my EGO Power Plus electric chainsaw. It was very satisfying!

Mike
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