flanagaj

3 hours ago, woody paul said:

That's about right, as long as there's 2 standing around and 1 working will look like council do it anyway. 

Haha.  

So I took the plunge and purchased the Hyundai multi tool cutter.  So far I have cleared two trails and I am really impressed with the kit.   I now need to start trying to secure some funding from local businesses in the hope I can purchase a BCS Tracmaster 640 with flail and a small petrol woodchipper for pruned branches.  The fail mower is an awesome piece of kit and it is just what you need for running through brambles and stingers.   So long as trails are given a good clear at least once a year the brambles and saplings don't have time to get established.

38 minutes ago, Baldbloke said:

 

If the Council suggest they’re too busy, why not offer to quote per 100m? If they give you the go ahead to do the work on a voluntary basis (insurance issues?) don’t disregard Screwfix for a cheap tool option. This because if you manage to wank out their kit they’re more likely to replace it with new kit than many other retailers

I have been an IT desk jockey for 25 years now and at nearly 50 it's a struggle to stay motivated and abreast of the new technologies that seem to arrive every few months.   It's strange to admit it, but I get much more satisfaction from clearing an overgrown trail for people's enjoyment than I do regarding writing IT software 🥱

I didn't realise I could quote for clearing trails.

PS - good tip on the brush cutter though.  ScrewFix just tend to hand over a replacement there and then. 

I’ve had a logo done and am going to stake one out when I clear a trail.

Bush Wackers#5.pdf

1 hour ago, openspaceman said:

I don't know how far away from me but I have a set of strimmer, chainsaw,hedgecutter tools from a ryobi combi which I am told can be fitted to Stihl engine units you are welcome to.

That's a very kind offer.  I am based in Dorset so a bit of a trek.  I think I am just going to purchase the Hyundai set for starters.  I'd love the Stihl, but a rather too pricey.

4 hours ago, openspaceman said:

You have every right to remove an obstruction but using power tools is questionable without the land owner's permission.

 

I am a voluntary path warden within our highway authority scheme and am allowed to cut vegetation up to 50mm diameter to the whole path width (and this can be difficult to decide even with the definitive path statement) with hand tools but hooks are not allowed for safety reasons. Silky and secateurs are about all I can use.

 

I also join groups from the Ramblers under the supervision of the HA's officer for larger tasks but the only power tool we are allowed is a stihl battery backpack trimmer, which is quite effective.

 

It's amazingly frustrating when one is used to power tools and the HA man, an ex copper, is wary of annoying landowner's, who often purposely allow the PRoWs to become difficult to use.

 

I did approach one local farmer and he agreed to let me use a hedgecutter and brushcutter under his farm insurance but after discussing this with another Rambler I received a letter from the HA warning me not to represent myself as a volunteer for the HA (I had not) as I did not have a lookout, was working alone and no warning signs in place (the paths were completely impassable with bramble and mugwort so no fear of meeting people).

 

IMO it does need some robust action to address this loss of access to the PRoW network as often in the south east the councils favour the landowners.

 

 

This is the whole joke regarding individuals volunteering their precious time at weekends.   Being given hand tools is just insulting and makes a complete mockery of people volunteering.   My local council did put me on a brush cutter course 5 years ago when I was able to volunteer during the week.   Now it's weekends only and clearing a trail with hand tools when a hedge cutter and pole pruner will tear through it in no time is just a false economy.

I am not sure how you change the system, as from my experience the council are stuck in their ways and bridleways / footpath maintenance are at the bottom of the list with an ever shrinking budget.

In the US and NZ they do things differently and local businesses and individuals can sponsor a trail.  This all helps to keep the network open.

I have suggested many ideas to my local MP Simon Hoare (completely useless) and the local council, but you may as well talk to a brick wall as they don't do change.

I'll get in touch with the relevant land owners and see if I can broker a deal whereby I keep the narrow wooded parts clear and they run a tractor and flail down the grass sections. 

30 minutes ago, trigger_andy said:

 

 

Mind keep us informed with your court date and how you get on there.

 

 

😂 I have never had my day in court, but I am sure it would be interesting.  The council using public money to prosecute an individual for clearing bridleways that they are responsible for and don't bother doing.   

8 hours ago, daveatdave said:

be carful you could end up in court for aggravated trespass  someone  next to a empty council shop go me to cut the grass one day and he got a threatening letter from the council saying if it happened again they would start court proceedings 

Ok thanks. 

9 minutes ago, nepia said:

I've never tried so can't give a definitive opinion but I'd be surprised if anything Hyundai was crap; not top spec maybe but rubbish? - no.  For that price I'd say you'd be getting a bargain

I am probably being a bit harsh.  It does come with a  3 year warranty, so that in itself is pretty good.

6 minutes ago, Mark Bolam said:

Haven’t used one, but seen pretty good reviews of these (from homeowners rather than pros, admittedly), and well within budget.

 

They normally make pretty good kit.

 

I fully support the ethos of what you’re doing as well. Fair play to you.

 

I have been looking at this model, but just concluded it must be cheap rubbish.   It's looking like I might have to give one of these a try as the professional type offerings are very pricey and the wife will string me up if I spent serious money on equipment.

I had a quick look at the echo and unfortunately, by the time you have purchased the unit, hedge trimmer and pole saw you are in the £800 sector which again is rather too much.

I suspect I am on a hiding to nothing when I say my budget is £400.   It seems to be either ££££ or £ when it comes to these multi tool machines.

1 hour ago, Will C said:

Look at echo, a bit cheaper to buy but just as good value for money in hrs worked vs £ spent.

 

good luck it sounds like a interesting idea, check you don’t fall foul of pl insurance and possibly cutting vegetation on others land can be seen as criminal damage if you look at the final details.

Many thanks for the recommendation.  I will have a look at the echo brand you mention.

The most frustrating aspect to the whole thing as you have eluded to, is that you are going out clearing the trails that the council don't have funding or cannot be bothered to cut and the vegetation that land owners are responsible for and yet you face a risk of criminal damage.  One part of me is rebellious and thinks if you ended up in court for clearing trails voluntarily it would maybe bring the whole system into question.

I have spoken with the council about cutting trails and they did state I need to request permission.  Requesting permission to clear the very trails that they are responsible for clearing.  Sounds all rather ridiculous.

Rant over.

I appreciate that this is more a question towards garden maintenance, but I am hoping someone maybe able to help.   I am currently looking to purchase a 5 in 1 machine so that I can go out and cut the bridleways and footpaths that my local council seem to take 3 months or never doing after I report them.   As someone who is very passionate about footpaths and bridleways, especially, when you consider that these rights of way have so much history I find it a real shame to see so many being slowly lost due to poor management by the land owner (side vegetation) and council (upwards vegetation).

As a result I want to try and start a bit of a movement of my own getting local businesses and eventually individuals involved.  I appreciate you can volunteer with the local council rangers, but they only work Mon-Fri and a lot of people cannot volunteer during the week.

So my plan is to start cutting some local trails on my own in the hope I can get some exposure and then eventually try and purchase a 2 wheel tractor with flail.

Apologies, but I have digressed and the question I came on here to ask is what machine do people recommend.  I cannot afford a Stihl as with the brush cutter, pruner and hedge cutter I would be looking at £1200.  But at the same token I appreciate a £150 ScrewFix special is a waste of money.

I was hoping I might have been able to find a dealer who may either have an ex-demo or sell one at cost, given that this is about me spending my own money in an attempt to give something back to the wider community.

Any pointers welcomed.

1 minute ago, Dan Maynard said:

40 minutes ago, flanagaj said:

Such a shame.  Bridleways and footpaths hold hundreds if not thousands of years of history.  See an ancient oak tree on a bridleway and thinking the sights that it saw is fascinating.  Well, to me anyway.

I'm reading Oliver Rackham's History of the Countryside. Thousands is the most likely answer, depending on where you live a swathe of the country was replanned but even then many of the ancient paths remained.

I'll look that one up ?. 

10 hours ago, Stere said:

The local footpath volunteer group has a BGS flail i think, and use chainsaws and strimmers etc not sure how insurance works.

 

Hardly any bridle paths round here though and majority of footpaths say around 75% of them are completely overgrowth and not useable.

 

Not gone on any footpaths since covid lockdown & the only thing that was keeping many them open I reckon is regular use.  I carried a pocket silky, and loppers sometimes to hack through encroaching scrub and head height brambles.

 

Such a shame.  Bridleways and footpaths hold hundreds if not thousands of years of history.  See an ancient oak tree on a bridleway and thinking the sights that it saw is fascinating.  Well, to me anyway.

Just now, Sutton said:

Perhaps you've a mate who can help?

I say that as I was a long-time machine operator.

When you're in the rhythm zone, you don't always see what's come down the track or coming up from behind?

I say that as a stupid member of the public who mean't understand community spirit ...

My plan was to try and recruit a number of local cyclists in the area to help, but so many just seem apathetic.  The council have told me that bridleways are pretty much bottom of the list.

26 minutes ago, kkk2 said:

Id check about public liability insurance as we cannot do any works on council ground without this.

Thanks.  I'd make sure I have this too and also put signs out informing the public cutting was being in progress.

Annoyingly, the council only allow you to volunteer Mon - Fri and that doesn't work for me.  Hence why I'm looking to source some equipment so I can do it at weekends or early evening.

34 minutes ago, Sutton said:

Other users may object (H&S). Youtube scything. Keep the action in your shoulders/upper torso not lower back and it's OK. Gradient of verges might hamper progress

Blimey.  I'm too old for a manual scythe!

I do a lot of mountain biking and every summer I watch my local trails becoming very overgrown.  The council do eventually cut them (around September) and I've been at logger heads with them as to why road side verges get cut 7 times during summer.

I digress.  I have subsequently learnt that under common law I am permitted to clear them myself and am therefore looking to purchase a flail mower or scythe machine.  Something like a BCS Trackmaster.

I have used a flail mower with the council when I used to volunteer, but they are pricey and I was wondering whether a scythe might be a better option.

Thanks

How many have you actually seen cut for firewood?

Put it this way, I have never seen a single mobile saw mill in Dorset on site at a felled tree.

Most of the ones I see aren't fit for anything other than firewood or the extraction makes it uneconomical

when the client sees you carting dimensioned timber away they start to think you should be paying them

As an ex furniture maker I always think it is complete sacrilege to see a huge tree being felled and then ringed for firewood. A few years back I did post on here about buying a Lucas sawmill so that I could turn these old beauties into something that could be used.

What is the reason so many trees are ringed for firewood. I suspect ease and removal is the primary reason?

I still daydream of owning a mobile mill and spending my days in a forest sawing away in my own little world!

No, if you were local and had some decent logs I was going to offer to mill them for you.

Most kind, but I think I have decided to pull out of my sawmill venture. I can't seem to get the logs.

Was the one you missed advertised on Ecolots?

If it was, it is now in my barn. Great machine.

Where abouts are you?

John

Was the one you missed advertised on Ecolots?

If it was, it is now in my barn. Great machine.

Where abouts are you?

John

Yes that was the one. If you are looking to move it on, please let me know.

I am based down in Dorset near Wimborne?

Hi Everyone,

I am trying to source a used Lucas sawmill and I have a budget of between 5-7k. I recently missed a very good deal on one that went for 5k.

There is one on eBay, but it is outside my price bracket. If anyone knows of anyone who may have one for sale, please do let me know.

Thanks

Justin