Forestry equipment isn’t just used to turn trees into piles of logs. In fact, these pieces of equipment can prove crucial in the fight against wildfires. Keep reading to learn more.
Utility Lines
Using a drum mower enables you to punch into even large diameter trees and bring the uppermost limbs to the ground. This is very useful when trying to run new utility lines to and from buildings. As most of us probably know, low hanging tree limbs that brush against power lines can become quite a hazard in the event of serious weather.
Site Preparation
As nice as trees and vegetation can be, sometimes they are simply in the way of a construction site and need to be removed in order for building to take place. One of the great things about using a drum mower and professional forestry equipment is that the trees and underbrush that you cut down are shredded into a bed of mulch that provides organic material and can be used to slow growth. Forestry equipment like mowers are frequently employed on orchards and vineyards as well.
Hazardous Fuel Reduction
Wildfires can be absolutely devastating to an area. Luckily, various fuel reduction projects have been proven as a means to mitigate wildfire hazards. The objective is to remove fuel so that when wildfire does burn, it won’t be as severe and can be suppressed more easily. Use your drum mover to reduce the amount of “ladder fuels,” or areas of continuous brush or small trees that can burn quickly and move a ground fire into a crown fire. You’ll want to do your research on fuel reduction, as sometimes it is beneficial to keep mature trees, while thinning out underbrush.
Firebreaks
You can also use your mower to help with firebreaks. Firebreaks are gaps in vegetation, or other combustible material, that act as barriers to stop or at least slow down the progress of a wildfire or bushfire. Firebreaks can occur naturally where there’s a lack of vegetation, such as a lake or canyon, but when those are not present, they can be man-made. The overall goal is remove deadwood and undergrowth.
