Tools Of The Trade

[Martinzanolla]

Hey, me and my freind are just getting started in singletrack building (he has a huge property out of town) and we were wondering what basic equipment, tools and supplies we would need to start constructing some awsome singletrack! Thanks Guys! :confused:

[dh skunk]

You don't need much to start off with just a shovel but if it hard dirt you are going to need a pick then down the track if you really like making tracks get a fire tool (rake/shovel)

[Binaural]

Depends on the terrain. Either way I'd recommend doing a lot of scouting before you begin, and mark the path the trail is going to take with waypoints (piles of rocks etc). If the terrain is very easy (say pine forest) I'd then take a heavy steel rake and clear a path through the forest, then ride it and call it good. The more people riding the trail to bed it in during the early part of the trail's life the better, since they will help pack down the track surface and make it easier to roll over. If you can, do some trail shaping when it rains - the soil will be easier to work and you can see where potential water erosion problems are.

If the surface is covered with grass or other light vegetation you have a bit more of a problem - clearing grass away to bare dirt is a pain. A shitty lawnmower can help you cut an initial path here that you can wear in by riding on it with your mates.

If it's harder terrain (mixed sandstone, dense trees etc) you might also need to have some tools to clear undergrowth. Machetes and hatchets are good for this but make sure you don't cut a toe off ;)

Building berms on a regular singletrack is a little bit of overkill, and on certain corners they will build up by themselves. If you do decide to build berms, you're obviously going to need a shovel and lots of time.

[scratchy]

For general trail building, nothing beats a McCullock, Mac or whatever it's called.

[arpit]

Mcculloch macs include everyhting from chainsaws to lawnmowers... but mainly chainsaws. what exactly are you talking about?

I could construct a great trail with a chainsaw, but the landowner might not be too happy when he finds it.

[Gekigengar]

just curious is there a machine that heps dig up the dirt and pack it in for you at the same time?

i saw a picture of someone using somthing on the lines of that ... or maybe i was on too much crack

[chris_mtb]

you mean like those little dingo front end loader thing they are nuts

[scratchy]

This is a McCollock,
It's handle is approx 5ft long and it's modelled here by none other than IMBA Trail Guru Joey Klein!

[donthucktoflat]

scratchy those things fuckin rule!! best tool ever.

[clockworked]

thats a fire rake. if you wanna buy one, they're called fire rakes, i'm sure a lot of brands make them. join the rural bush fire brigade and they give them to you. along with your heavy rigid liscence

[Ryan]

Up here we call those "McCollock" things "Rake-Hoes" on account of the fact that they are both a rake and a hoe. Clever hey?

Scratchy is correct, they are pretty much the best trail cutting tool ever invented. If you only buy one tool to build tracks, make it one of these.

[dcrofty]

I believe that its actually called a McCloud tool over here.

I found one in the bush once. Score.

Yeah McLeod like alchemist said.

[alchemist]

McLeod is the name Scratchy is searching for. But yes it is also known as a fire rake or a rake-hoe (and probably a few other things also).

[i like dirt]

If you grab a pick or a matic (sp?) get one with a fibreglass handle because its much lighter than a wooden one.

[allan_key]

This is a McCollock,
It's handle is approx 5ft long and it's modelled here by none other than IMBA Trail Guru Joey Klein!

yh i no wat your talking bout, there also called a rake hoe and are used by the CFA, parks victoria and the DSE for fire fighting.

you can sometimes pick them up second hand from your local firebrigde, cause they do sell them off from time to time, just make sure you sharpen the blade side of the head, it dosnt work if its blunt

[user name]

If you grab a pick or a matic (sp?) get one with a fibreglass handle because its much lighter than a wooden one.
Yeah i heard that you can get special carbonfibe handeled, diamond tipped,Titamium picks....not really.

A Rake-Hoe is defiantly the money!! buy one! im pretty sure Cyclone make them, and thye're beasts!!

[Jon]

I looked farkin everywhere,well Bunnings ,for one of these tools.They couldnt even get me a price so I bought a handle and made one.Probably would use plain round bar for tines instead of threaded rod,but I was getting impatient and couldnt be farked buying more stuff.Used 50x6 flat bar steel for the blade and ground an edge onto it. Works well,blunts easily though as blade is only mild steel. An old car leaf spring would be perfect as is a better grade of steel.
Cheers jon

[dcrofty]

If you absolutely have to have one go to http://www.gaam.com.au/ and get them to order you one of the Nupla ones http://www.nuplacorp.com/

[.:Easily:.]

a machette is also good for clearing small trees and branche or hidge trimers

[125hardtail]

I found one in the bush once. Score.



probably belonging to someone that was building a trail in the area and had left it for next time.

[dcrofty]

probably belonging to someone that was building a trail in the area and had left it for next time.

Nah. no trails in that piece of bush.
It would have been left there by a bush fire brigade when they did a hazard reduction in the area and since they didn't put their name on it I couldn't give it back.

[dj_nic]

if you want a real smick look on all your jumps that will also make the feelsmooth as get one of those hand held concrete smoother things works a treat:)

[Macr]

Sorry for dragging this thread out of the coals (no pun intended), but I am on the look out for a quality McLeod tool (Fire rake, for those that don't want to read backwards). I have seen the link to Nupla, but am unsure if they imported into Australia except for special order. What I have found is this one from Bellfire (www.bellfire.com.au/downloads/BREAKMAKER%20%20FIRE%20RAKE.pdf) in WA. It certainly looks the goods and after an e-mail from the company the price seems fine, $55 inc. GST. The only issue is it is not sold in NSW.
Does anyone else know of a quality product sold in NSW? Are the ones in Bunnings any good or are the blades too thin and week?
If I can not get a good alternate, I will look at getting one of the Bellfire ones, shipped over, if not too expensive.

[sammydog]

People were using the bunnings ones when we built the Awaba DH. I didn't hear of any of them breaking in the process.

Mind you, they didn't look as sturdy as some of the better ones others brought along.

[dannys]

i just use a pick axe and spade.

dannys

[Sethius]

my boss bought my rack-hoe from Home hardware.

$70 or something though: best tool ever for cutting/clearing everything really

[Macr]

People were using the bunnings ones when we built the Awaba DH. I didn't hear of any of them breaking in the process.

Mind you, they didn't look as sturdy as some of the better ones others brought along.
Yeah, I have seen the ones from Bunnings. I thought they were not that flash either. I really want something that will last.
my boss bought my rack-hoe from Home hardware.

$70 or something though: best tool ever for cutting/clearing everything really
Thanks Sethius, I will check them out. I am still leaning towards the one I linked to, depending on postage.

[Norco_VPS]

anybody use herbicide to clear the grass?

[Macr]

Only at home :p, but I think it would become very expensive quickly. I think stuff like roundup has a short life span, once sprayed, so grass will grow back not to long after it dies. But it would be a good way to mark a new trail.

[Giant_4_Life]

thats a fire rake. if you wanna buy one, they're called fire rakes, i'm sure a lot of brands make them. join the rural bush fire brigade and they give them to you. along with your heavy rigid liscence

I've always called them a firemans rake

[MOXAB]

Hey
I'd take a couple of shoves for digging and moving dirt, a pitchfork/hoe thingy
for removing grass from the track if you're making it dirt and also to losen up the dirt, a pair of shears for any long grass you dont want to dig up and a couple of buckets to move dirt/water in. And a camera for pictures

[Macr]

a pitchfork/hoe thingy
for removing grass from the track if you're making it dirt and also to losen up the dirt
Which is what a fire rake does, but has the benefit of having a large flat area and no way of pushing the handle out like a hoe. You can then use it compress the soil on the trail, without having to bend over like you would with a shovel. You can even add your body weight to it, to do a better job.

[dcrofty]

One of my favourite tools over here for trail building is the Pulaski. Again its a firefighting tool adapted for trail building. Basically an Axe and Mattock in one.

So, with a shovel, hard rake, McCleod and Pulaski you can do just about anything.

Macr if you are anywhere near any Rural Fire Service go and ask what they use. My brigade's McLeods were always far superior to any ones that my work (a council) could source.

A Pulaski
http://www.blackhawk.com/images/catalog/WF-PT_0BIG.JPG

[Macr]

One of my favourite tools over here for trail building is the Pulaski. Again its a firefighting tool adapted for trail building. Basically an Axe and Mattock in one.
It is on my list, my friend, it is on my list!

So, with a shovel, hard rake, McCleod and Pulaski you can do just about anything.<points fingers in all directions, including down>W3rd</points fingers in all directions, including down>

Macr if you are anywhere near any Rural Fire Service go and ask what they use. My brigade's McLeods were always far superior to any ones that my work (a council) could source.
I have my Ex on the case, as her brother in law is a rural firie. The link I posted earlier is a supplier of fire equipment. One of the major reasons why I have them high on my list.