Hi - I wonder if anyone could give me some advice as we are new "smallholders" and learning lots!
We have 22 acres, 10 of which has just been cut for hay by a contractor.
Of the remaining 12 about 10 is used as paddocks for alpacas and miniature ponies. Of this we have two large paddocks, each about 2 acres, that haven't been topped or cut at all this year, tho have been grazed. The grass is long, there is lots of clover and loads and loads of yarrow, that is now very stalky. We have just bought an old Ford 4000 tractor in order to top the paddocks but from my research I think perhaps a flail mower would serve us better to get through this dense long grass/clover/yarrow. The other 6 acres is mainly grass.
I found a flail mower this morning that was reasonable (about £1400 for a 1.6m) here
http://www.smallholderequipment.co.uk/flail-mower--fl-2051-p.aspwhich is about the price I want to pay but having looked around the web it seems a bit cheap?? I don't really want to spend much more and have had a look on ebay but as we are new to this I don't want to make a mistake or buy a rubbish make!
I've read alot about toppers breaking if the pasture is too thick or long. The ground is level but there are some peaks and troughs that I bounce over on the quad! It doesn't appear stony but tbh I can't tell through the dense growth!
Any advice please?