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Trail Construction and Maintenance Notebook

Tools (continued)

Tools for Grubbing

Pulaskis. The Pulaski combines an ax and a grub hoe into one multipurpose firefighting tool. It isn’t as good as a hoe or mattock for grubbing, nor as good as an ax for chopping. It is a popular trail tool because it is widely available and easier to carry than single-purpose tools.

When using the hoe end, stand bent at the waist with your back straight and parallel to the ground, knees flexed, and one foot slightly forward. Hold the handle with both hands so the head is at an angle to your body, and use short, smooth, shallow swings. Let the hoe hit the ground on its corner. Use the ax end to chop large roots after the dirt has been cleared by the hoe. Always wear safety goggles while grubbing to guard against flying chips of rock and dirt.

Carry the Pulaski at your side; grip the handle firmly near the head, and point the ax end away from your body and down. Sharpen the cutting edge like an ax. When sharpening the hoe, maintain the existing inside edge bevel. Never sharpen the top of the hoe.

Combination Tools. The combination or combi tool is basically a military entrenching tool on a long handle, developed for firefighting. It serves as a light-duty shovel and scraper.

McLeods. The McLeod combines a heavy-duty rake with a large, sturdy hoe. McLeods work well for constructing trails through light soils and vegetation or for reestablishing tread along sloughed side cuts. They are inefficient in rocky or unusually brushy areas.

Fire Rake (Council Tool). The fire rake is another fire tool used widely for tread work, especially in the East.

Picks. Pick heads have a pointed tip for breaking hard rock by forcing a natural seam. They also have a chisel tip for breaking softer materials.

Work the pick like a Pulaski hoe with short, deliberate, downward strokes. Avoid raising the pick overhead while swinging. Always wear safety goggles while using a pick to guard against flying rock chips.

Use a grinder or mill bastard file to sharpen pointed tips to 3-mm (1¦8-inch) squares. When sharpening chisel tips, maintain the factory bevel.

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