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what is the best pasture topper

  • 17-08-2009 1:52am
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 35


    ah i have a hi spec tailed topper and she a lot a work done and i want ta change her for a new one for next year and i i dont no wheather t buy a another tailed one myb a fleming 8ft one or a disc mower few neighbours have one they look ta b a good job what do ye think...


Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 369 ✭✭Rujib1


    Sheep :p

    R1


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 11,786 ✭✭✭✭whelan1


    we bought an abbey topper last year its grand but not long after we bought it i was told mowing the paddocks is way better


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,271 ✭✭✭irish_bob


    best topper is a disc mower , machinery is good value at the moment , you might get a 2nd hand kuhn or lely , dont buy a fort though or a morro which they used to be called , crap


  • Registered Users Posts: 12,313 ✭✭✭✭Sam Kade


    Get a disc mower better resale value and it does 2 jobs.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,345 ✭✭✭MfMan


    Sam Kade wrote: »
    Get a disc mower better resale value and it does 2 jobs.

    Yeah, but how well does a disc mower work on bumpy, boggy ground, with rushes etc.? I have a connor 8ft. trailed and am very pleased with it, very sturdy.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 1,611 ✭✭✭djmc


    I think a disc mower is the only job for rushes
    I had one for years until the bed went and then I got a topper because it was cheaper
    sorry man now will have to start saving again for disc mower no comparacin


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 369 ✭✭Rujib1


    djmc wrote: »
    I think a disc mower is the only job for rushes
    I had one for years until the bed went and then I got a topper because it was cheaper
    sorry man now will have to start saving again for disc mower no comparacin

    Cut rushes in February!! It's much, much easier because the sap is at it's lowest in the rush. Best machine of all to hit them with if they are very strong, or it's later in the year, is a good old fashioned drum mower:o Beats the crap out of them.

    Could buy yourself an old second hand drum mower for a few hundred euro. Keep it just for the annual assault on the rushes. Tighten up the slip clutch. Give her throttle. Bingo :p

    R1


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 39 scaniaman


    Disc mower end of story.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,279 ✭✭✭snowman707


    very seldom have need to top on this farm ,the white army ( sheep) take care of it but we use a disc mower when we do.


  • Registered Users Posts: 474 ✭✭Casinoking


    Disc mower is the way to go alright. Steer well clear of Major toppers, I had a couple of them and they broke my heart putting new gearboxes into them every time they hit anything.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 35 masse5455


    i have no rushes all free draining land and a couple a hundred ewes i just want it 4 tidyn up and i do a bit a topping for other lads. i was saying to a lad 2day i was looking ta buy a topper and he said not to bother and use my john deere conditioner mower could be a good job if i keep it up a bit


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,087 ✭✭✭vanderbadger


    mower might be fine on your own place when you know the ground but when you run into a big stone on the lad down the roads place you might miss the old topper, have a conor topper, they dont really do a nice job but take alot of abuse, might be worth having a machine like that for topping anywhere your not sure of


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 45 Johnnyr


    We had been using a trailed mower for topping for the thistles. A mower isn't suitable for this use due to excessive vibrations caused by the mower not cutting a heavy enough sward. All the guards surrounding the drums are now in bits, welds cracked etc. They bought a belmac trailed topper at home this year. Looks to be well made machine. Maybe a mower is ok for topping rushes, as it would be a heavier sward compared to thistles.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 35 masse5455


    i bought a 8ft krone mower 2day pricy enough good solid mower was looking at a major tailed topper but said id chance the krone does anyone eles here have one


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,611 ✭✭✭djmc


    congrads
    I dont have one but its a good name I think
    You should keep a few spare blades or flales in the tractor as they can brake in stoney rough ground but they are easy change them
    If you keep oil in it and put in shed for winter it will last for donkeys years


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,552 ✭✭✭pakalasa


    djmc wrote: »
    .....If you keep oil in it and put in shed for winter it will last for donkeys years....
    Good advice !!!!!!
    I have an old sidespreader. It must be 20 yrs old now. I powerwash it, let it dry and cover it with old black engine oil (wear gloves - cancer risk)after I use it. It's like new.
    Drives me mad when I see new machinery lying in a field over the winter.:mad:


  • Registered Users Posts: 318 ✭✭locha


    Hope it goes well for you. Bought a 9ft Krone 2/3 years ago. Before I did I had a major topper... no comparisson the Krone is an animal of a machine.. put on the skids good and high and you will be sound. the only bother I had was actuaully putting the mower on the tractor.. then I copped that when taking the mower off you must cut the oil supply to the ram that lifts the body... makes life alot easier.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 35 masse5455


    thanks. have ta wait for it ta stop raining for a day ta do a bit a topping see what shes like until den ive her in the sheep shed look like she could be there for another while yet ha


  • Registered Users Posts: 65 ✭✭rooney32


    had an abbey trailed topper for last 15 yrs no hassle with it. its a gear driven they also made belt ones that gave a good bit of trouble


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,174 ✭✭✭✭Muckit


    We bought an abbey 7' side mounted topper in 2007, very nice machine, does and excellent job.

    Keep it down on lowest setting (50mm) and after cattle have move on, top away. Of course a topper set high won't have grass regrowth looking as good as when a mower has cut lower!! (compare like with like!)

    A topper has blades that swing on the rotors and also shearbolts. If you hit an obstacle (which you inevitibly will when topping pasture) it'I give and all you break is a bolt!!

    A mower is just that! For mowing!! It's primarily designed for meadow land, flat even land with little contours and less chance of hitting stones, mounds etc. A specifically designed machine for a certain job is always going to give better results overall.

    I think it should be pointed out 2 that their is no comparsion between a side mounted and in-line topper (one that's straight behind the tractor) The tractor in this case tends to flatten the grass and the cut isn't good where the tractor tracks are.

    A side mounted is alot more (3-3.5K as apposed to 1-1.2K), but you get what you pay for


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  • Registered Users Posts: 12,313 ✭✭✭✭Sam Kade


    Muckit wrote: »
    We bought an abbey 7' side mounted topper in 2007, very nice machine, does and excellent job.

    Keep it down on lowest setting (50mm) and after cattle have move on, top away. Of course a topper set high won't have grass regrowth looking as good as when a mower has cut lower!! (compare like with like!)

    A topper has blades that swing on the rotors and also shearbolts. If you hit an obstacle (which you inevitibly will when topping pasture) it'I give and all you break is a bolt!!

    A mower is just that! For mowing!! It's primarily designed for meadow land, flat even land with little contours and less chance of hitting stones, mounds etc. A specifically designed machine for a certain job is always going to give better results overall.

    I think it should be pointed out 2 that their is no comparsion between a side mounted and in-line topper (one that's straight behind the tractor) The tractor in this case tends to flatten the grass and the cut isn't good where the tractor tracks are.

    A side mounted is alot more (3-3.5K as apposed to 1-1.2K), but you get what you pay for
    He already made his choice and bought a disc mower which was the best choice.


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,174 ✭✭✭✭Muckit


    Sam Kade wrote: »
    He already made his choice and bought a disc mower which was the best choice.

    Thanks Sam Kade for pointing that out. I suppose I was just giving my 'two-pence ha'penny' on the subject of toppers in general.

    Your right though at the end of the day everyone has to make the right choice for themselves.


  • Registered Users Posts: 492 ✭✭dryan


    irish_bob wrote: »
    best topper is a disc mower , machinery is good value at the moment , you might get a 2nd hand kuhn or lely , dont buy a fort though or a morro which they used to be called , crap

    Im just replying to an earlier post here on this thread - i'd like to know the reasons behind the comments on the Fort disc mower above?

    I have a Fort 2060 myself that i use for both Topping, mowing, and hedge trimming. I have it 6 years now and it hasnt given me one bit of hassel. Smashing machine.
    The machine (like all the bits and pieces that i have) is housed after use for the winter, rubbed down with waste oil and regularly checked for grease and oil, etc..
    In fact, a fair few farmers in the area have the same machine and likewise, i dont hear anyone running them down.

    Another thing is that i cant compare with any other make as it was my first mower to own/buy. I'd like to hear any experiences with Fort out there - good/bad.


  • Registered Users Posts: 44 Louisburgh lass


    I have a Wylie Trailed topper and it has just broken a cog in the gear box of the topper for the second time, its only 1 year old and has only done 60 acres of topping on good quality ground. Has anyone come across the same problem?


  • Registered Users Posts: 63 ✭✭fiatagri8090


    Have an 8 foot abbey trailed topper which i bought 4 years. Great job. Wouldn't consider a disc mower as i have heard from people who have had lots of problems with them. With triled topper you can move fast and is more suitable on uneven ground and for cutting rushes etc. I cut all my meadow with a 5 foot 6 fella rotary mower (45-50 acres annually) never had any problems. Disc mowers are overpriced.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,552 ✭✭✭pakalasa


    I bought a Belmac 6" offset topper there about 3 years go. No problems whatsoever. I cut rushes with it too ....have to drive very slow though.
    Its well built. When I was pricing around at the time, it was the cheapest I could get. Neighbour had one at the time.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,401 ✭✭✭reilig


    pakalasa wrote: »
    I bought a Belmac 6" offset topper there about 3 years go. No problems whatsoever. I cut rushes with it too ....have to drive very slow though.
    Its well built. When I was pricing around at the time, it was the cheapest I could get. Neighbour had one at the time.

    The father in law has a new belmac topper too. i used it last weekend for him and couldn't believe how nice it cuts. we have a fleming at home and I have to say that the belmac has a neater cut.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,087 ✭✭✭vanderbadger


    have a conor topper, its one that is very slightly offset so most of it is behind tractor, its true what someone said about not making a great job over the tractor tracks..still it does the job for me, takes plenty of abuse, we also had a conor one before this, basically the same topper except for 1 big diff, on the older ver the rotor was a big lump of metal, when it got a bang or bent it kinda took the balance outta the topper and you would have alot of vibration..with the newer ver that big block of a roter has been replaced with 2 strips of steel, in other words there are 2 strips of steel bolted together between the 2 rotors (the rotor fits between the 2 strips either end)..its looks much lighter but somehow its alot stronger, never seems to bend no matter what you hit :rolleyes:


  • Registered Users Posts: 8 Iferguson


    Here is an 8 foot side mounted conor topper at work in a rushy field. cuts them no bother

    http://youtu.be/VkpnHOsOVd0


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  • Registered Users Posts: 1 timberlad


    hi anyone no wher I can get emy hands on a Wessex trailed topper


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