fuels-reduction-guide-2023 - Flipbook - Page 7
Mechanical Thinning
Using the skid steer with attachments, an operator can cut and masticate
small and medium sized trees, remove and pile brush, and move piles of cut
material to a central location for pile burning or removal.
Personnel are essential for hand
thinning work in rough terrain, but
heavy equipment allows personnel to
treat large acre projects efficiently.
The tracked compact skid steer loader
is a common and essential piece of
equipment used by CAL FIRE personnel.
Compact skid steer loaders are fitted
with one of three attachments: the
masticating head, a grapple head or a
brush rake, depending on the project.
These tools serve to decrease hand
labor and increase the efficiency of
fuels reduction projects.
The brush rake has a scoop and forks that
can be used to clear brush and form piles. It can
also clear the ground to bare mineral soil around
brush piles, preparing them for burning.
The
grapple attachment can pick up cut tree
stems larger than what can be done by hand and
move them for pile burning or chipping.
The masticating attachment produces a
similar result to chipping, except the masticating head
does all the workâit can both cut and chip trees up to
about four inches in diameter.
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