Off-Highway Vehicle Trail and Road Grading Equipment

Equipment Evaluations on the Francis Marion National Forest

The soils and topography presented relatively easy working conditions, so we looked at lightweight equipment that could be easily pulled by an ATV. Why? ATV's cost less than tractors, and are more widely available on Ranger Districts and through volunteer groups. We wanted to see if this lightweight equipment could do the job.

This project's objective was to identify equipment that could effectively grade motorcycle and ATV trails in sandy soils. Grooming would smooth out the bumps, flatten mounded berms, and eliminate ruts.

The 40-mile- (64-k)-long Wambaw Cycle Trail is on the Francis Marion National Forest, north of Charleston, SC. It receives heavy use by both motorcyclists and ATV enthusiasts. The topography is flat, the soil is sandy, and the trail winds through mostly pine forest. Curves are tight, designed to appeal to motorcyclists (Figure 2).

Photo of ATV on Wambaw Cycle Trail.
Figure 2-Typical section of the Wambaw Cycle Trail.
The trail was designed for motorcycles, but ATV's are also allowed.