The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Smallholding => Equipment => Topic started by: Castle Farm on August 10, 2012, 04:19:28 pm
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I need a tedder and have looked at the price of haybobs and even second hand they are a lot of money for a decent one.
I have used an acrobat years ago when they first came out, but I can't remember if the were any good or not.
I fancy an acrobat and at around £100 you can find a reasonable one, so is it worth getting one.
No clowns need to reply, just acrobats please :D
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acrobats were a brilliant tool if you used it correctly always turn the other way from which it was last turned if you don't do it this way it will rope the hay and after that it is useless even trying to bale it if you could get a cock pheasant or a flying pheasant just to fluff the row up and also put two into one for baling :farmer: or go for a lely haymax or hayzip they are cheaper than the branded haybobs :farmer:
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They are cheap for a reason ;)
I'd bit the bullet and buy a haybob. It will be worth what you paid for it when you come to sell it and every workshop and dealer will stock parts for it - which is something not to be underestimated, particularly for hay kit!
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yes they are cheap for a reason that reason being to many nuggets that could not set it up properly and gave it a bad reputation see previous post
we had one for over 25 years and it was used every year never broke a tine never needed any money spent on it the best hay was made with an acrobat and a cock pheasant
if the swath was damp underneath the acrobat turned it over to dry any haybob just spreads it about and does not dry it properly
but not many people use a haybob correctly either :farmer:
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If you ask around you will probably be given an Acrobat, I have, not as yet seen but there to collect for free. Will give him something in return.
I have never used one but watched them when younger so they interest me, so will be tapping Mr Waddle for tips. But the older end always remark that there is no waste with an Acrobat 'if you know what yer doing'.
I used a Hay Bob this time for a farmer on my tractor. I requested a hay rake to pull the missed swarth back into the wind rows and told not to bother, it just seems to be accepted practice all the waste. Even more so with the bigger stuff ? I suppose this is a topic on its own. Acrobat v Wuffler v Cock Pheasant v Haybob v Conditioners?
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Where is the answer to this one ??? :rant: Need to know before I start next year :sunshine:
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the wuffler is normally one row the cock pheasant is two rows and it can put two into one as well they also made a flying pheasant which is 3 point linkage mounted Nicholson also made a pheasant type tedder as well haybobs are good as well but like the acrobat you have to reted the opposite direction to the last time what ever you get make sure you can spares for it vicon lely should be able to have them once you get whatever you want get a proper instruction book worth even £50 esp for the acrobat if set correctly and used as per the book you will love it haybobs the most important thing is row it up at night and don't go any wider than a five and a half cut that is how they miss bits :farmer:
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If you are serious about finding an instruction manual for the acrobat, try here: https://ien.vicon.eu/About-Vicon/Vicon-100-Years-of-Innovation/A-Wide-Product-History-Portfolio
There is a picture on the left which could be an Acrobat and downloading the picture gives you (or at least gave me) an brief instruction manual for the "Vicon Acrobat".
A bit late for this hay-making season, but maybe useful for next year.
Good luck and best wishes, Luke
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After using acrobat/wuffler / cock pheasant combinations up until the late 70's then moving onto a haybobs I would not go back . I bought a hay bob for £300 in 93 and sold it in 05 for £400 , simple to work on and parts easy to buy just check that it runs and the gearing is ok