North Country Trail Handbook
The North Country National Scenic Trail (NST) extends for thousands of miles across seven states. Its layout, design, construction, and maintenance require the participation of a myriad of individuals and groups.
Tread Maintenance - Mechanized Equipment
Skill Definition
Safely use mechanized trail equipment (e.g., mini-excavators, skid steers, trail dozers, compactors) to maintain trail to meet maintenance specifications for tread width, cross/outslope, protrusions and obstacles and minimizes off trail impacts
Entry Level Performance
- Safely work around mechanized trailbuilding equipment/crews
- Operate basic mechanized equipment (e.g. mechanized wheelbarrow, plate compactor, tracked dumper), with supervision
- Perform basic maintenance on equipment
- Minimize unintended impacts on and off trail, and use techniques to repair unintended impacts with supervision
Full Performance Level
- Safely use and maintain mechanized trail construction equipment to construct full sections of trail that meet maintenance specifications independently
- Successfully minimize and remediate unintended impacts on and off trail
Expert Level Performance
- Utilize a suite of mechanized equipment and techniques to efficiently and effectively maintain a trail that meets the specifications.
- Demonstrate equipment fleet or assemblage safety and maintenance, including field repairs
- Demonstrate precision and accuracy with equipment tasks and/or organization without any unintended off trail impacts
Resources for Tread Maintenance - Mechanized Equipment
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Documents and Media for Tread Maintenance - Mechanized Equipment
Introduction to Foundations of Sustainable Trails: A Trail from Start to Finish
A Trail from Start to Finish is an introductory, short "micro-learning" targeted to developing trail workers. Anticipated to take about 15 minutes to complete, this microlearning discusses what it means for a trail to be sustainable and describes…
Off-Highway Vehicle Trail and Road Grading Equipment
The Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) was asked to find a good way to maintain a 40-mile (64-k) motorcycle and all-terrain-vehicle (ATV) trail on the Francis Marion National Forest in coastal South Carolina. Heavy use leaves a…
Innovations in Mechanized Trailbuilding
Innovative, cutting edge machinery for building recreational trails has revolutionized the trail industry over the past 30 years, from specialized trail dozers and miniature excavators to crawler carriers and ATV/AWD moto harrows. The advantages of…
Foundations of Sustainable Trails: Tread and Alignment
Explore foundational concepts related to the principles and applications of trail tread and alignment—all through the lens of developing and maintaining a sustainable trail. This course will introduce basic trail design elements as well as processes…
Trail Skills Training Library
Recorded Trainings for Tread Maintenance - Mechanized Equipment
Trail Bumps: Lessons Learned from Removing 1,000 Bumps
This webinar focuses on lessons learned from removing over 1,000 bumps from an 18-mile paved trail.
Further Education
Training Programs for Tread Maintenance - Mechanized Equipment
Trail Technician 1 Exam
The Trail Technician multiple-choice exam evaluates foundational knowledge in trail development, aligned with the progression from entry-level to full Trail Competency standards.
Trail Fundamentals Video Series
The Professional TrailBuilders Association (PTBA) has launched the development of the Trail Fundamentals Video Series—a free, entry-level educational resource designed to support sustainable trail development and trail trainings worldwide.
IMBA Trail Management Schools
This school is typically two days in length with IMBA instructor(s) traveling to your location to deliver the class to staff or members. Instructors arrive the day before to assess the site and do any necessary preparations. Organizations, clubs, or…
IMBA Trail Care Schools
Trail Care Schools equip volunteers and organizations with the skills necessary to maintain modern mountain bike trails in partnership with the local land management. This course will begin with sustainable trail design principles, such as drainage…
Sustainable Trail Building One Year Certificate Program
In this one-year certificate program, you’ll have boots-on-the-ground at Northwoods Stewardship Center in East Charleston, VT for three individual week-long intensive classes. You will grow your knowledge base and connect with trail building…
Trail Academy
Trail Academy is our free class series that teaches students how to tackle any trail-related challenge. Courses are hosted both in the field and online, and are a great starting point for anyone looking to become a certified Trail Crew Leader or…
Skill Library
Trail Maintenance
Trail Sustainability Principles
Safety/Site Management
Maintenance Specifications
Corridor Clearing/Site Preparation
Corridor Clearing: Pruning/ Side-Cutting/ Brushing
Corridor Clearing: Bucking, Felling/ Hazard Tree Removal; Chainsaw/ Crosscut
Corridor Clearing: Material and Debris Management
Tread Maintenance - Hand tools
Tread Maintenance - Mechanized Equipment
Drainage Features/Water Management
Custom Trainings
There are 64 trainers on TrailSkills
with Tread Maintenance - Mechanized Equipment experience
Hire Workers
There are 245 workers on TrailSkills
with Tread Maintenance - Mechanized Equipment experience
Brian Sedgwick
Petersburg, PA
Grounds and Facilities Coordinator
Shaver's Creek Environmental Center
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Know of a good resource for this skill? Let us know! From webinars, to workshops, to PDFs, we'd like to add them to our resource library.
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