Ground Clearing Tool

[nate1865]

I'm looking for a tool to clear brush / briars / small trees from a camp site.

I bought the el cheapo, $6.98 machete from Wally World and should have known better.

 

[badwolf.usmc]

Woodman's Pal Store - Flat Rate Shipping

These are nice, and the military uses them for exactly what you want to use it for. They are in the Pioneer Squad Kit.

 

[ghitch75]

i use this.........not for campin' just for use around the house...

 

[snapping turtle]

Crank out the Weed whip. the small trees need a hatchet.

 

[Dave Doehrman]

i use this.........not for campin' just for use around the house...

We cleared new landing zones in Nam with 20lb C-4 demo kits and det cord. That works well and rapidly, but remember your ear plugs.

 

[ghitch75]

We cleared new landing zones in Nam with 20lb C-4 demo kits and det cord. That works well and rapidly, but remember your ear plugs.

yep that works too

 

[EPD1102]

The Ontario heavy machetes work well. You may also want to find a good hardware store that has brush axes. They are a long, lightweight cutting head at the end of an axe handle and work well on small brush. I've used machetes to cut down a lot of trees up to about 6" in diameter. Anything bigger than that and you'll probably want to keep it for shading your campsite.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

If you're set on a manual method, I've used a ditch ax for the briars and the like...then chainsaw for the larger stuff. Just keep in mind, just because you knock it down, those thorns and nasty stuff will still be there. If you've got a big area, rent a tractor w/ bush-hog--- much easier!

 

[KDUBCR250]

This is the machine I use everyday at work. Although the guy running this one sucks lol. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BORl3FzuvFE&feature=related[/ame]

 

[rem788]

I attached a circular blade to my weed eater for clearing brush and small trees. Works pretty well, just like weed whacking with a blade. It will cut through saplings up to a couple inches thick, goes through briers and weeds like butter. Just remeber to wear eye protection as it throws trash everywhere.

 

[Split]

We use the McLeods firefighter's tool when clearing brush and dirt for Mountain Biking trails here in Southern Indiana. Pair that with a Tri-Blade on a weedeater and it's a clearing force to be reckoned with.

Council FSS Style McLeod Tool National Fire Fighter Wildland Corp.


The "Rhino" is similar at a lower price point.

http://www.nationalfirefighter.com/product_info.php?cPath=20_303_22&products_id=1100

 

[Richwon4]

I attached a circular blade to my weed eater for clearing brush and small trees. Works pretty well, just like weed whacking with a blade. It will cut through saplings up to a couple inches thick, goes through briers and weeds like butter. Just remeber to wear eye protection as it throws trash everywhere.

That's how we deal with the small trees, weed wak the rest of it, scalp it, short, all the way down.

 

[nate1865]

Thanks for the recommendations, gentlemen.

Someone IRL recommended Tractor Supply. So, guess where I'm headed this weekend....

 

[patience0830]

Quality tool

Thanks for the recommendations, gentlemen.

Someone IRL recommended Tractor Supply. So, guess where I'm headed this weekend....

Google up " The Marugg Company " in Tracy City, TN. Buy a wood Snath(handle) and a brush blade. Don't forget the sharpening stone. Learn to slice with it, don't pull, and you'll have a tool that you'll treasure for it's simplicity and the excercise it provides you. A steady rythm with a scythe is excellent cardio.

 

[schapm]

Try to find a fiskars or gerber brush axe. It is very versatile in terms of what it will clear and has been my go-to tool for clearing thick weeds and small trees around my house. Very good value for dollar.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-7860-Brush-Axe/dp/B000F99IEU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1305957684&sr=8-1]Amazon.com: Fiskars 7860 Brush Axe: Home & Garden[/ame]

 

[Fishersjohn48]

Tools for Trail Work, by Jim Schmid an illustrated compendium of many tools commonly used in trail building and maintenance.

The brush whip is what I would recommend although you will find several tools on the link.

 

[nate1865]

That's helpful too - I need to build a trail to the camp site.

 

[woundedyak]

I just call my friends in to help out

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiP7-HBHwPc&feature=related[/ame]

 

[nate1865]

Thanks for all the info again, folks.

I referenced the above material and made a visit to Tractor Supply.

Lo and behold they were well equipped with what I needed.

I picked up one of these:

I already had loppers, hand pruners, and a machete, so I feel well-equipped for my next trip into the woods to clear out my camping spot and trail from the cabin.

 

[Aggar]

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