hedge cutters

bk1991

hey
i am looking to buy a hedge cutter to tidy up hedges on farm i bought something cheep and good that has parts still avabile for a 85 hp ih tractor what do ye guys own .had owned or have any pros and cons on em

bk1991

adne

slightly off topic ... is there a hedge cutter that can be got that fits a digger as an attachment???

powerfarmer

Bk1991 : We have a Bomford B49 , I've found it ideal for tidying up around the place but its quite a heavy machine and found it marginal on an 85 hp tractor ,the machine tended to throw the tractor around, you'd need some weights or I find a 6 cyl tractor of 100hp + is well able to keep it under control. Also it attaches by using the 3pt to lift the machine on which is then ridgidly secured to the tractor by an A frame to the top link bracket . Machine takes about 25 mins to fit and a bit less to remove but its not a job I'd like to do too often we usually leave it on the tractor for the duration of the work.
There are smaller farmer spec hedgers out there too that attach only to the 3 pt, I dont know how ridgid or secure that is though.

We have a local dealer and parts are available, we havnt needed much just a few flails and bolts and a repair to a hose that got caught in a branch.
McConnells are popular here too there seems always be one at auctions.
Whatever machine you buy try get try get one that isnt too worn , try and hear it running to see if the head rotor bearings are ok and that the rotor isnt all battered and dented, one with independent hydraulics is good too , then you dont have to use the tractor hydraulics for the movement functions.

adne : there was a company at the ploughing last yr that sold hedger heads for attachment to tracked mini diggers, or if its for a wheeled JCB style digger , 20 years ago a french company offered a head attachment for fitment to the backhoe of the MF 50 HX range think I have a pic of it somewhere will try and dig out the details

reilig

adne wrote: »

slightly off topic ... is there a hedge cutter that can be got that fits a digger as an attachment???

I've seen a number of these in action - basically its just a hedgecutter head with brackets welded on to it to take the digger pins - and its powered off the breaker pipes. They are used a lot on rubber ducks, especially on the road railing ducks that Irish rail contract in. I've a neighbour with one on an ex60 also. Its a great job, but he has to have a low loader if he wants to move a distance. But its useful on wet ground.

adne

any ideas on cost o where a 2nd hand one could be sourced??

reilig

I have a bomford b457 about 3 years now. Its a small enough machine on 3 point linkage. It has a 20ft reach and in reality you could work it on a MF 165. It has semi-independent hydraulics. ie. The head is powered by oil from the pump powered by the pto. The arm controls are fed from the tractor hydraulics. Its a simple machine and I have used it a lot in the last 3 years and I have never had to put a part into it - except for a few booty flails.

You will be surprised to hear that the machine was made in 1987. I bought it from Alexander Mills in Tyrone and they had imported it from England. It was in perfect condition - no welds, paint was scratchless, pipes not worn, head sounding perfect and no loose bearings or flails. It looked almost new and I couldn't believe it when I saw the date of manufacture on the ID plate. I paid £2000 for it. New it would have been €8000. It still has a lot of life in it. I only use it for my own work and I mind it well. It has more than paid for itself at this stage. All parts are available for it from my local bomford dealer.

reilig

adne wrote: »

any ideas on cost o where a 2nd hand one could be sourced??

First stop has to be alexander mills. He has a world of hedgecutters up there.

bk1991

so i could pick up a machine reasonable ready to work for 1,500

reilig

bk1991 wrote: »

so i could pick up a machine reasonable ready to work for 1,500

I don't know. it depends on the size of machine taht you want. A good small machine can ge got for €2k to €3k. Bigger machines are more expensive - unless you get one from a contractor that has the sh1te driven out of it.
You have to be careful and know what you're looking for.

Hedgy

Well just looking for some advice, I am looking to purchase a McConnel PA6500T 2004 - 2006. I have seen two for sale in the UK, they seem to be very clean machines, 77hp, pumps, just wondering does anyone know anything about them or have any experience with these machines.

vincenzolorenzo

bk1991 wrote: »

so i could pick up a machine reasonable ready to work for 1,500

Did you buy a hedgecutter afterwards bk?

bk1991

vincenzolorenzo wrote: »

Did you buy a hedgecutter afterwards bk?

no we dident

Chamac20

Hi i hav a bomford b457 ... and looking for part for it where could I get them

Grueller

IAM in Kilkenny are the importers for Bomford and will have all parts. I have one of these. If it is the hydraulic pump give me a pm there and I can help you out.