The Alachua County Public Works Department recently added a tree-branch trimmer to its trail maintenance fleet through a “Trail-Go” grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The state-of-the-art tool, designed to prune citrus groves in South Florida, has become a popular choice for trail maintenance across the state and features two 24-inch saw blades mounted on a boom that deliver a 7-foot cutting width. The machine can be attached to a variety of equipment, from mini excavators to skid steers.

“Staff are very impressed with this new tool,” said Lonnie Wilkerson, lead equipment operator with one of the county’s trimming units, in a press release. “The machine is just the right size to trim the trails and will significantly increase our precision and operational efficiency.”

The tool will initially be used along the Archer Brad Trail. The machine will then be utilized on other county-maintained multi-use trails and sidewalks to improve accessibility and manage encroaching vegetation.