Excavator
Clearance of new paths through scrub or woodland can be done by a mini excavator, provided there is suitable access for the machine. A 3.5 ton excavator, with a bucket and a cutter bar for clearing vegetation, is suitable. Such machines are very manoeuvrable and can cut winding paths to a minimum 2.5 metres width. The excavator should be followed by a dumper truck into which the bucket is emptied, and the material taken as necessary to build up sections of path elsewhere.
All clearance work by excavator should be done before volunteers arrive on site to do other necessary work such as surfacing, drainage or stile construction. An excavator must only be driven by a trained operator.
Tractor-mounted machines
Following initial clearance by hand, the use of tractor- mounted machines may be useful for the regular maintenance of bridleways and byways, especially in the south and west where vegetation growth is rapid.
Flails, either as hedgers mounted on booms, or as front or rear-mounted mowers, are the most useful type of machine and can deal with rough grass and woody growth. If the flails are sharp and the correct type is used for the job, the result is not necessarily unattractive, and an annual ‘trim’ need not be destructive to wildlife. In the absence of more labour intensive methods, it may be the only way of maintaining a path. Flail mowers for ‘compact’ tractors are available, with a cutting width of 1.3m, for use in confined spaces. For more extensive scrub clearance operations, a heavy duty flail mower and mulching machine can be used. These machines should only be used by trained operators.
Brush cutter
This is a portable machine with a rotating cutting blade on a long arm. The weight of the machine is taken by a shoulder strap or harness or mounted on a backpack. It is very suitable for path clearance as it can be transported in an estate car, carried over stiles, and used in confined spaces and on any type of ground. Various specifications are available for cutting grass and scrub.
The choice of engine capacity will depend on the type of vegetation likely to be encountered, the amount of use it may receive, and the stamina of the operators. For most groups a 36cc (or nearest) model is probably suitable, but for lighter use a 25cc model may be preferred. Models up to 48cc are available, with clearing saws up to 65cc. Husqvarna brush cutters have proved popular as they are easy to start, reliable and not too noisy. Husqvarna produce a range of accessories and safety equipment.
Note the following points on safety.
- Operators should always follow the manufacturer’s guidance on use.
- Goggles and hearing protectors must always be worn by the operator. A helmet should also be worn for clearance of scrub and small trees.
- Boots with steel toe caps must always be worn by the operator. Trousers and other clothes should be close- fitting.
- Any other workers should keep at least 10m distance from the operator as there is a danger of flying stones and splinters.
Brush cutters are best utilised by teams of two or three people, with one cutting and the other one or two raking and disposing of debris. They are not necessarily the answer for voluntary groups, as in common with most other machines, the remainder of the group tend to be left with only the clearing up work, which can be monotonous. Any group considering purchase should also first check that they have a member willing and able to maintain the machine.
