Clearing brambles with chainsaw

[Paul Smith]

Having been a professional gamekeeper for over twenty five years i can understand the problems encountered in this work, I find when having to do this, two men, One with a pitch fork the other using 12" bar chainsaw cutting the briar at a height of 8" above the ground, steady paced and with care.

 

I then finished the job with a brush cutter.

 

The fork can be used to lift the briar up to create easier access for the saw operator it can then be rolled to one side and removed.

Have tried all methods over the years with differing success, I found this the method very useful in tight racks between young trees.

 

 

The whole point of using a masher/shredding blade is that you don't have to pick anything up. Its on the floor in tiny pieces! why create another job if you don't have to? A shredding blade should be used top to bottom and not right to left.

[clwyd environmental]

Not always possible in confined areas and all depends on the level of equipment available on the shoot or estate. Most estates / shoots wont pay for a contractor to come in if the equipment isn't already in hand. I Have used forestry mulchers many times and agree far easier and safer but sometime simply can not always be used.

 

Also depends site sensitive the area is?

[clwyd environmental]

Just another point to consider, by removing the briar and shredding or burning at location there is a far less mulch left on the ground for any dormant wild flowers or grasses to compete with, I under took a larger clearance of briar on a twenty acre historic Oak wood land in Ireland, within the first season the wood was alive with bluebells & other flowers that had not been seen in living memory.

 

Especially in a pheasant release pen were you would grasses to establish very quickly.

[Paul Smith]

Not always possible in confined areas and all depends on the level of equipment available on the shoot or estate. Most estates / shoots wont pay for a contractor to come in if the equipment isn't already in hand. I Have used forestry mulchers many times and agree far easier and safer but sometime simply can not always be used.

 

Also depends site sensitive the area is?

 

Most shoots have a brush cutter. You don't always need tracked machines.

[C.J]

The most stuck up, unfriendly, obnoxious village in the UK I reckon. Where great wealth entitles all and sundry to the heights of rudeness and bad manners. Oh sorry, Noss Mayo. Pretty place, ugly inhabitants. Rant over.

 

:thumbup1:Too many retired navy officers

[Stereo]

Thing I have found is that there are actually not that many bramble stems. They are just mega long. If you can get in under and cut them you can drag most of the tops out. The problem I have is tons of small elders and loads of elm suckers complicating the job.

 

Do I really need a guard for the mulcher blade? Or is it a case of chainsaw trousers and a thick coat?

[Ray1]

 

Do I really need a guard for the mulcher blade? Or is it a case of chainsaw trousers and a thick coat?

 

You should be fine with chainsaw trousers and a coat, even with the guard on dosnt mean you are so safe you can do it in shorts and a tee shirt.

[doobin]

The mulcher guard is much deeper and stronger than the grass trimming guard. It means you can use the shredder blade the way it was intended- start up high and work down, shredding the whole plant/sapling to mulch.

 

If you try to work top to bottom with a normal guard it won't be long at all before you come a cropper- trust me on this one

 

Especially with woody stuff like saplings- that stuff comes back at you with some proper force.

[Stereo]

I've still got a cricket box somewhere.

[RobRainford]

The mulcher guard is much deeper and stronger than the grass trimming guard. It means you can use the shredder blade the way it was intended- start up high and work down, shredding the whole plant/sapling to mulch.

 

If you try to work top to bottom with a normal guard it won't be long at all before you come a cropper- trust me on this one

 

Especially with woody stuff like saplings- that stuff comes back at you with some proper force.

 

Yes it does. Got hit in the sternum with a little piece the other day. That bleedin' 'urt!

 

Been hit on the fly of my chainsaw pants too. Glad I had them on. I'd have been on the floor if I was in combats!