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Topper or something stronger

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  • 05-05-2010 11:42am
    #1
    westlander
    Registered Users Posts: 286 ✭✭


    Hello,
    I've a serious amount of bad rushes from land that was badly maintained. Also its very uneven and rough.

    Was wondering what machine could I use to get rid of the rushes without damaging the implement. Doe such a machine exist for the back of a tractor...besides a topper (120hp available)?

    Does anyone know where I could hire one out in the Ballinasloe/Loughrea region of Galway?

    Thanks


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    #2
    ormondprop
    Registered Users Posts: 1,398 ✭✭✭ormondprop


    if the rushes are heavy you'd be better off using a mower, you'll just go through a serious amount of shearbolts or burn out the belts on you topper, if the land is rough maybe an old pz drum mower would be the best choice, or maybe use a weed licker


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    #3
    KoNiT
    Registered Users Posts: 577 ✭✭✭KoNiT


    Hi

    this might suit you, but dunno about hire..


    http://www.major-equipment.com/product/jungle_buster_grass_toppers


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    #4
    bbam
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,410 ✭✭✭bbam


    KoNiT wrote: »
    Hi

    this might suit you, but dunno about hire..


    http://www.major-equipment.com/product/jungle_buster_grass_toppers

    I'd say uneven bad ground would still wreck it...

    We have two such fields and I adjust the slides on the topper up to the last, this will get you over the majority of stones/crap..
    This will cut them back enough for fresh growth to spray..

    Where the rushes are heavy I find that to keep up the rev's and select a lower gear and give the topper time to munch away!! The first time cutting them is the worst, keep them trimmed until you spray


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    #5
    bogman_bass
    Registered Users Posts: 5,057 ✭✭✭bogman_bass


    flail mower maybe?


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    #6
    ormondprop
    Registered Users Posts: 1,398 ✭✭✭ormondprop


    KoNiT wrote: »
    Hi

    this might suit you, but dunno about hire..


    http://www.major-equipment.com/product/jungle_buster_grass_toppers

    that looks to be well suited for the job, or this
    http://www.major-equipment.com/product/heavy_duty_flail_mowers_flail_mowers_amp_shredders
    due to the fact that they have a slip clutch u need'nt worry about breakin shear bolts, and if that can't handle it no mower will, although good mowers are built for hard work if you do break anything its going to be a lot more expensive to fix.

    if you think that won't work its time to get your strimmer out;)


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    #7
    JohnBoy
    Registered Users Posts: 2,343 ✭✭✭JohnBoy


    bbam wrote: »
    .

    Where the rushes are heavy I find that to keep up the rev's and select a lower gear and give the topper time to munch away!! The first time cutting them is the worst, keep them trimmed until you spray

    surely that's the key?

    I've read a suggestion of using a drum mower in a really low gear and then baling the rushes to get as much light as possible into the grass.


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    #8
    mossfort
    Registered Users Posts: 609 ✭✭✭mossfort


    a drum mower would not work well on rough ground because they are designed to release if they encounter anything solid in the line of bumps or ruts and they cant be lifted properly over rough spots.
    a side mounted topper or flail mower would be more suited and as was said the best thing to do is drive very slowly.


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    #9
    bbam
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,410 ✭✭✭bbam


    We're working on recovering some badly infested rush fields, we were told last year that we'd need to bale the rushes... Like I said if you munch them in a low gear they are well broken up, this spring they are rotten away and the rushes are green and thined to about 50-60%. We'll top again and spray later in the year...
    Might get a weed licker then to keep on top of them... anyone out there lick weeds, is it a good job ??


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    #10
    Indubitable
    Registered Users Posts: 1,300 ✭✭✭Indubitable


    bbam wrote: »
    anyone out there lick weeds, is it a good job ??

    It is quite effective but after a while your mouth gets dry


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    #11
    Casinoking
    Registered Users Posts: 474 ✭✭Casinoking


    A flail mower isn't much use on rushes, it tends to bend them over instead of cutting them. You need something with sharp blades and a low forward speed as has already been suggested


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    #12
    bbam
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,410 ✭✭✭bbam


    kingofthe3rdyrs wrote: »
    It is quite effective but after a while your mouth gets dry
    Bit like your humour so !


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    #13
    Indubitable
    Registered Users Posts: 1,300 ✭✭✭Indubitable


    bbam wrote: »
    Bit like your humour so !

    :D:D:D:D:D:D:D


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    #14
    westlander
    Registered Users Posts: 286 ✭✭westlander


    Thanks for the replies. Them MAJOR toppers look the business..


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    #15
    yessam
    Registered Users Posts: 404 ✭✭yessam


    i think the major is the best for the jog. if that cant do it - it must be very rough. spray the rushes about 10 days before you cut them and they will be getting thinner every year. if ground is so rough does it need some kind of land leveling also - plough or digger.


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    #16
    Figerty
    Registered Users Posts: 2,214 ✭✭✭Figerty


    westlander wrote: »
    Hello,
    I've a serious amount of bad rushes from land that was badly maintained. Also its very uneven and rough.

    Was wondering what machine could I use to get rid of the rushes without damaging the implement. Doe such a machine exist for the back of a tractor...besides a topper (120hp available)?

    Does anyone know where I could hire one out in the Ballinasloe/Loughrea region of Galway?

    Thanks

    Down around west clare we know plenty about rough rushy land and I have been working on controlling rushes for two years now and it's begining to pay off so heres my two cents..

    Spray the rushes in this weather, for big rushes it's my opinion that the licker isn't as effective...plus you can do more with the sprayer laters..

    Second thing, I think the topper is a crude instrument and is only a big lawnmover.. I thought about buying one,, but then decieded on a Lely disc mower with topping skids again, I felt I could do more with it later than a topper such as hay or silage cutting.

    Spray the rushes.. relax for a month to six weeks,, cut and burn if you aren't in reps, but ring the fire brigade before hand if you are going burn,, other wise you will get badly burnt by the bill for the call out!


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