THE REAL SECRET TO GREAT TRAILS LIES BENEATH THE TIRES
Carbon frame, race suspension and high-performance tyres may matter to mountain bikers, but one of the most important elements of any ride is the ground beneath them.
Grip, flow and rider comfort all depend on the quality of the trail surface. A well-built trail must withstand weather, repeated use and erosion while delivering a consistent riding experience year after year.
For Italian trail-building specialist Tasso Trail, achieving that starts with the excavator and an MB Crusher MB-HDS207 shaft screener.
Every corner starts with the right ground
Mounted on a Caterpillar mini excavator, the MB-HDS207 is used to process excavated material directly on site. Soil containing rocks of varying sizes is screened to create a consistent material suitable for building a stable, free-draining trail base.
Rather than importing aggregates, Tasso Trail can reuse material already available on the project, reducing transport, handling and waste while improving control over the finished surface.
“We used to spend a lot of time raking the soil and bringing in additional material. Now we can prepare exactly the gradation we need right on-site,” explains Emiliano Pinzi of Tasso Trail.
The principle is similar to road construction: start with a properly prepared foundation capable of carrying repeated loads, shedding water and remaining stable throughout the seasons.
The MB Crusher attachment is particularly valuable in rocky sections and on climbs and berms, where surface quality is critical. Screening removes oversized rocks and organic debris, producing more uniform material that is easier to compact and helps the trail retain its shape.
Turning excavated material into a resource
With investment in mountain bike parks and recreational trails increasing, sustainability is also becoming more important.
Processing material on site reduces imported aggregates and truck movements – particularly valuable on remote or environmentally sensitive projects where hauling material can be costly and difficult.
Instead of becoming waste, excavated soil is transformed into a useful construction resource.
Trail building also demonstrates the versatility of attachments traditionally associated with construction, demolition, quarrying and landscaping. For contractors, it can expand the range of specialist projects their existing excavators can tackle.
Once the trail is finished, riders may never see the work beneath the surface – but they experience it through every climb, berm, roller and turn.
Behind every great trail is a properly prepared foundation – and, increasingly, an MB Crusher attachment.
