Rotavator or Rotaspike

Sami23

Looking for people's opinions on the pro's and con's of these two machines.
I need to get one of them to till my bird cover and also do a bit of reseeding. I already have a disc harrow but find of there's a bit of a scraw at all the discs won't break it up enough. Have used a neighbours rotavator in the past and did the job perfectly but finding it hard to come on the size I want in good enough condition so just wondering would the rotaspike be as good.
TIA

Bullocks

Sami23 wrote: »

Looking for people's opinions on the pro's and con's of these two machines.
I need to get one of them to till my bird cover and also do a bit of reseeding. I already have a disc harrow but find of there's a bit of a scraw at all the discs won't break it up enough. Have used a neighbours rotavator in the past and did the job perfectly but finding it hard to come on the size I want in good enough condition so just wondering would the rotaspike be as good.
TIA

We have a rotaspike and find it good for the bit of reseeding we do cos there's plenty of stones in our place and the spikes don't tend to pull them up as much as the rotavator , the spikes don't break as easily either .
The rotavator would probably work the soil better if you have enough depth of soil in the first place ((which we don't 😭 )

Sami23

Bullocks wrote: »

Sami23 wrote: »

Looking for people's opinions on the pro's and con's of these two machines.
I need to get one of them to till my bird cover and also do a bit of reseeding. I already have a disc harrow but find of there's a bit of a scraw at all the discs won't break it up enough. Have used a neighbours rotavator in the past and did the job perfectly but finding it hard to come on the size I want in good enough condition so just wondering would the rotaspike be as good.
TIA

We have a rotaspike and find it good for the bit of reseeding we do cos there's plenty of stones in our place and the spikes don't tend to pull them up as much as the rotavator , the spikes don't break as easily either .
The rotavator would probably work the soil better if you have enough depth of soil in the first place ((which we don't 😭 )

Does it do a good job breaking the scraw - i.e. would you be able to till a field good enough for reseeding without ploughing with the rotaspike ?

Bullocks

Sami23 wrote: »

Does it do a good job breaking the scraw - i.e. would you be able to till a field good enough for reseeding without ploughing with the rotaspike ?

We've done it that way but it could take 2 runs or maybe even a 3rd depending on what you're happy with

Dakota Dan

A rotovator will turn up every sod in the field especially lea ground. A rotospike would do a better job and get a one with a crumbler roller.

yellow50HX

Dakota Dan wrote: »

A rotovator will turn up every sod in the field especially lea ground. A rotospike would do a better job and get a one with a crumbler roller.

This what we have. Normally reseed fields after beet so would plough that bit but have used it to reseed grass fields. Did it in late summer after silage. 2 runs perpendicular to each other. Not as deep as you would use for root crops. Found it a bit spongy compared to land that was ploughed 1st but came well the following spring. Grass needs to be grazed bare though.

What size are you looking at, what size tractor?

Burning Tires

I've a 100 inch rotospike with crumbler. I've a day job so dont have time to use it. Contractor does most of my stuff. Its a good piece of kit.
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Its for sale btw

Sami23

yellow50HX wrote: »

This what we have. Normally reseed fields after beet so would plough that bit but have used it to reseed grass fields. Did it in late summer after silage. 2 runs perpendicular to each other. Not as deep as you would use for root crops. Found it a bit spongy compared to land that was ploughed 1st but came well the following spring. Grass needs to be grazed bare though.

What size are you looking at, what size tractor?

You have a rotospike is it ?

I've a 90hp tractor and thinking 80 or 90 inch rotovator or rotospike. Any bigger than that I think wud be too big and also awkward on the road too

Sami23

Burning Tires wrote: »

I've a 100 inch rotospike with crumbler. I've a day job so dont have time to use it. Contractor does most of my stuff. Its a good piece of kit.
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Its for sale btw

Probably a big for me I'd say.

Have you used it much, did ya find it good to till

Burning Tires

Sami23 wrote: »

Probably a big for me I'd say.

Have you used it much, did ya find it good to till

Always found it a good machine. I had about 105hp and youd need it all. Used it after ploughing, and just on its own too. Found it made a good seed bed, and didnt pound the earth to dust.

yellow50HX

Sami23 wrote: »

You have a rotospike is it ?

I've a 90hp tractor and thinking 80 or 90 inch rotovator or rotospike. Any bigger than that I think wud be too big and also awkward on the road too

100 inch with crumbled here, worked on 95-100 Hp tractors. They can be a big awkward alright if your not used to them and heavy when lifting.mneeded to leave the loader on the 2wd using it, have a 4wd now so not as big an issue.

80 inch needs to pulled to 1 side in most cases as you can only work in one direction depending on size of tractor and tyres.

Sami23

Would you have found any negatives or cons to say about the rotospike ?
I wonder does stuff get wrapped around the rotor any more on these compared to a rotovator ?

I'm just trying to make sure I don't buy the wrong one.

memorystick

The rotovator might be inclined to pan ground. That's what some lads say. Super tillage for beet.

Sami23

Well I ended up buying a 90inch rotavator in the end. Very happy with it.

Just wondering as I haven't owned one before can someone please tell me what type of oil goes in the chain housing and gearbox of them ?
TIA

Sami23

Well I ended up buying a 90inch rotavator in the end. Very happy with it.

Just wondering as I haven't owned one before can someone please tell me what type of oil goes in the chain housing and gearbox of them ?
TIA

Tomjim

was it expensive?

yellow50HX

Sami23 wrote: »

Well I ended up buying a 90inch rotavator in the end. Very happy with it.

Just wondering as I haven't owned one before can someone please tell me what type of oil goes in the chain housing and gearbox of them ?
TIA

Usually use gear box oil and also pump in some grease too

Sami23

yellow50HX wrote: »

Usually use gear box oil and also pump in some grease too

Is that in both places yellow ?

Sami23

Tomjim wrote: »

was it expensive?

€1900 and its in mint condition which I think was ok compared to some of the rough yokes I went to see and they were looking for more for them.