The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Smallholding => Land Management => Topic started by: SJP on September 20, 2016, 04:52:21 pm
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Hello,
I’ve recently taken on the management of a somewhat overgrown 1.5 acre orchard and I’m struggling to keep the thick hill-grass, docks, nettles and thistles under control. I’ve used a mixture of a medium-powered strimmer and an Austrian scythe, but it’s a good 6-8 day job with either. Is there something that I can buy that can cut this in a day or so? I don’t have a tractor, van, fork-lift, or the like, and the access is poor. As such I need something that is both small enough to fit in a car-boot and light enough to lift, push, etc. I want a tool that can cut 4-6 months growth of this grass, etc. 2-3 times a year. Does anyone have some recommendations?
Am I correct in thinking that a power scythe would be to bulky, heavy and expensive? I was considering a very powerful second-hand Stihl brushcutter or a wheeled trimmer, but, whilst quicker that what I’m currently using, would either be a sufficient enough upgrade to warrant buying one or the other? Ultimately, the machines I’ve ended up considering are the following:
SHERPA Paddock Master Drum Mower
SHERPA Bravo Rough Cutter
I would be delighted to hear any advice. Many thanks.
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Sheep :)
Can you not get a local farmer to come in once or twice a year to top it for you? 1.5 acre is a lot to do by hand. Or a local farmer with some sheep that he/she could run in from time to time?
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Some of the things on this page look like they could handle the thick stuff and potentially be just about small enough to get in a big boot, like the Bertolini one at the bottom. Not cheap though!
https://www.lawnmowersdirect.co.uk/category/field-and-rough-grass-mowers (https://www.lawnmowersdirect.co.uk/category/field-and-rough-grass-mowers)
We had something similar at the nature reserve where I used to volunteer that would be used to mow areas of reed that were spreading and it handled those fine.
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I'd seriously consider a tow-bar, trailer and decent ride-on mower.. make the job a doddle and do it 4x a year rather than twice.
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With a ride on mower you would have to mow at least once a month - not twice a year - after all its just a mower not a combine harvester. I know that from experience. We have been asked to cut a 3 acre "lawn" in July which was last cut in October...
It broke two ride on lawn mowers!
The best option was to cut it with a power scythe/tractor for hay.
If not power scythe then you want a flail. You will kill a normal mower on such a long grass.
Also I agree with someone who said sheep!
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I would vote sheep as well. Or look at the Reddifast groung clearer. Sorry, i dont know how to do the link :innocent:
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get some Molly lambs in spring ... or even geese
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With a ride on mower you would have to mow at least once a month - not twice a year - after all its just a mower not a combine harvester. I know that from experience. We have been asked to cut a 3 acre "lawn" in July which was last cut in October...
It broke two ride on lawn mowers!
The best option was to cut it with a power scythe/tractor for hay.
If not power scythe then you want a flail. You will kill a normal mower on such a long grass.
Also I agree with someone who said sheep!
I've got a front deck husqvarna zero turn.. and that's perfecty capable of being rammed into moderate brambles and taking some respectable abuse (on it's highest setting) and mulching the lot down. And it carries my 18st weight while it does it.
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BCS Tracmaster power scythe and sheep.
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I've a friend with a one acre orchard on undulating land. He has 10 female Brecon Buff geese as lawn mowers and fertilisers. They are friendly creatures and need to be kept in a separate paddock at night to keep away mr or mrs fox. They also needs a small pond to bath each morning before beginning work again.
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get a flail mower it will clear it in no time
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Ooo, I like the look of that flail mower [member=35590]VEG[/member] ... would be perfect for my brambles, only trouble is it would sink in the mud :(
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We have a tracmaster scythe mower, copes with allsorts, but won't fit in a car boot ;-).
Combination of sheep and geese? Would sheep damage the trees in winter?
Maybe geese and weaned lambs, dispose of lambs late autumn?
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Ooo, I like the look of that flail mower [member=35590]VEG[/member] ... would be perfect for my brambles, only trouble is it would sink in the mud :(
It would have to be very boggy for it to sink as its got double tyres on each side