Trail Contractors?

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parasloth

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Dec 16, 2014
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I'm hoping this is an appropriate place to ask this question...

The company I work for recently won a contract with the US Army Corps to conduct an investigation on Fort Leonard Wood. As part of the contract, we typically hire a contractor to cut "paths" through the woods using mechanized equipment (bobcat with brush hog). This project has a much less-dense undergrowth since the installation conducts controlled burns, so we're exploring the idea of contracting with a Trail Contractor who would have the tools and experience hand-cutting a path through the woods. We're looking at about 30 miles worth. Although I would LOVE to get my brush axe out there (after finding a handle for it), as well as the beautiful 4-lb Collins from Justin, I don't have the time to go up there and self-perform these duties.

I was wondering if there are any brothers here on the forum who may have a Trail Contracting business, or experience with any, who may be interested in getting more information about this project in Fort Leonard Wood, MO.

WBP
 
Logging companies are usually a good start. Around here they have specialized equipment for punching-in logging roads (paths for skidders) and installing drain culverts. They do this stuff all the time and on a large scale.
 
300Six said:
Logging companies are usually a good start. Around here they have specialized equipment for punching-in logging roads (paths for skidders) and installing drain culverts. They do this stuff all the time and on a large scale.
Click to expand...

That's a good idea. Depending on the area they may be desperate for work too.
 
You might want to look into line cutting companies in the mineral exploration sector, we use them all the time for cutting geophysical grids in the woods, this is all they do and do it quickly, safely, and efficiently.
 
Check with your local Forest Service for leads on trail contractors. Also check with your local parks authorities. We have such contractors here in the NW.
 
Thanks guys - appreciate the input. Basically the sub we procure uses mech equipment - well bobcat with whatever attachment works best for the woods. I was thinking that I could hire a crew to do some hand clearing for a cheaper price than it would take to get the normal contractor with his equipment. I was just wanting a comparison of hand cleared (it's all light vegetation) to mechanized which would be overkill here. But in the long run, the hand clearing may be cheaper but a longer duration. I have some feelers out to a couple companies to see if they bite.

mckrob we're almost in the same line of work - I'm cutting transects and grids for a geophysical survey as well. I'm looking for unexploded ordnance though!
 
A forestry mulcher (larger skid steer with mulching head) will make quick work out of opening up trails. I was previously clearing trails with chainsaw, axe, machete, etc and decided to hire a couple of guys with mulchers. Not only do they open up the paths quickly, everything is mulched down to chips so you have no debris to get rid of. 30 miles is a lot of work to do by hand. The mulchers I hired could typically cover an acre per day, per machine.
 
a lot of the machines listed thus far are a little large for making a hiking or 4 wheeler trail (if around 60" or less tread width is what you are going for) Out west, we use a 100hp mini-dozer with a six way blade that has a track/blade width of 48 inches. everything else is done with a mini excavator for the really narrow single track and hiking only trails. If it is 30 miles of only brush clearing and no tread construction, you are looking at (on average) a 6 person crew maybe punching out .75-1.25 miles per day if they are using brush saws/mowers and chainsaws; more if they are using hand tools. if you are wanting to do hand tread construction, 30 miles is nearly unreasonable if there is lots of terrain involved. Cutting side-hills is very slow, hard labour.

I would talk to your local mountain biking club about possibly using volunteer labour if these trail systems would be open to the public, or you could hire a crew like these guys: http://progressivetraildesign.com/about/about/ they would likely have the smaller motorized equipment necessary for trail construction.
 
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