The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Smallholding => Land Management => Topic started by: CharlieMarson on June 21, 2017, 01:13:06 pm
-
Hi, I have small upland oak wood with a big bracken problem. Having read earlier postings I think I am going to go down the multiple cutting route. Does anyone have any recommendations for the best/robust trimmer? Rechargable? petrol? I'm not very big so nothing too hefty! Also what protection do i need when cutting it? Obviously won't be cutting in sporing season...But is it obvious when that starts?
Thanks!
-
Something with a solid blade. All depends how much you want to spend and how much you will use it. The battery powered ones are good nowadays and not as noisy as petrol. Best thing to do is go find a shop that stocks a few different types and hold them to see how they feel.
Wear some eye protection (safety glasses or goggles), and a pair of ear plugs if you are going to be doing it for long periods. And steel toe cap boots.
Cut as soon as the majority of the fronds are unfurled, them repeat as necessary throughout the year. As for sporing, I think it's mid-jul through august, depending on where you are, so get it cut before then.
-
I have a smaller but similar problem. I have used a petrol brushcutter, which is effective but very heavy and tiring. I am currently experimenting with using a battery hedgecutter to chop bracken near the ground, followed by manual clearing with a rake, and then I will harrow to disturb the roots.
I bought a Qualcast trimmer at Argos (c£55). The battery lasts longer than I do each session, maybe 40 minutes.
-
I've used a long reach hedgecutter before for brambles - worked better than a brushcutter! Just angle the head so that its fairly level with the ground and just walk along cutting as you go - no swinging required!
I have a Mountfield Freedom48 brushcutter (and long reach polesaw/hedgecutter, oh and the chainsaw too (they use the same battery)). This has been perfect for me, not very heavy, battery lasts about 45min on the brushcutter, and ages on the hedgecutter. There is a new incarnation of these now Mountfield/Stiga (https://www.mowers-online.co.uk/stiga-sbc80-ae-80v-cordless-loop-handle-brush-cutter-no-battery?utm_source=google-product-search-us-en&utm_medium=product_search&utm_campaign=google-product-search-us-en&gclid=Cj0KEQjw4cLKBRCZmNTvyovvj-4BEiQAl_sgQpzKLlf-USNaVdSnrqBisZrl0KUM40RkFpK913CH378aApmv8P8HAQ (https://www.mowers-online.co.uk/stiga-sbc80-ae-80v-cordless-loop-handle-brush-cutter-no-battery?utm_source=google-product-search-us-en&utm_medium=product_search&utm_campaign=google-product-search-us-en&gclid=Cj0KEQjw4cLKBRCZmNTvyovvj-4BEiQAl_sgQpzKLlf-USNaVdSnrqBisZrl0KUM40RkFpK913CH378aApmv8P8HAQ)), which has a harness so you can carry the battery pack on your back. 80v I think, so much bigger battery than the Freedom48 (48V).
-
If you are cutting i'd suggest an Austrian scythe; no batteries, no moving parts to break and very quiet.
Although to get the best out of it you will need to learn how to sharpen it.
-
I did some bracken cutting with my brushcutter last night (for a while before i got eaten alive by midges). On rough ground was actually a right pain, I will be going back with the hedge cutter. I scythe too, but on rough undulating ground (like I was on last night) it's too hard, the long reach hedge cutter will be easier. I agree though, scything on flat ground is the best way to deal with bracken, but don't use your best blade.
-
There are specific bracken basher attachments for quads, if you don't have one, try your local machinery ring, they might have someone on their books.
http://www.glendaleengineering.co.uk/agricultural/atv-trailersview/bracken-basher/197 (http://www.glendaleengineering.co.uk/agricultural/atv-trailersview/bracken-basher/197)
-
Thanks everyone. Really good info. Think I've missed the boat this year but something to look forward to next year ?!!
-
Use a bit of wood 4 foot across with handles on each end - walk and crush it.