Grass toppers

Mathy

Currently have a 3 rotor Wylie topper and apart from the outer one that doesn't seem to top as good as the inner two. Is this a common problem and are there any others out there better than a Wylie? How about a Fleming or Abbey. I'm talking about a trailed model 8 or 9 foot for topping after sheep grazing .

ruwithme

Outer rotor could be lacking a bit of drive, why they didn’t just leave it with two rotors????

Op, i don't doubt you, but i giggled abit when i read your topping after sheep.

Be the 1st sheep man I've ever heard of owning a topper & topping after sheep.not having a go at you at all.

Abbey would be a great pedigree in toppers

whelan2

Have a trailed 9ft Abbey topper, bought it new about 3 years ago. Happy enough with it

hopeso

I’d say it’s unusual that one rotor would not cut as well as the other two. Have you replaced anything on that rotor? Has that rotor’s gearbox ever been replaced? Perhaps it’s geared differently and not spinning as fast as the other two? I suppose it’s possible it left the factory with a wrong gearbox too….

ABitofsense

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058253545/grass-toppers

I was thinking of buying one of those Wylies. 7200e for a 8ft trailed one at the moment. Steep enough.

On the abbey ones, how many blades & rotors do they have?

funkey_monkey

Would your land not work with a drum or disc mower? Would give a cleaner cut than a topper and better regrowth.

gazahayes

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119309117#Comment_119309117

2 rotors with 2 blades on each rotor

ABitofsense

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119309632#Comment_119309632

It probably would but I do enjoy reversing a topper into the ditch to keep it back and tidy. I don't think a mower would take the abuse a topper can.

Anyone know the price of a trailed Abbey or Flemming?

Mathy

Thanks to all for feedback.

The Wylie is as it came new regards gearboxes etc. I went for the off set as I really like to have a good clean top finish and so far can only be achieved at a very low cut and best with a bit of green, it cuts best at that.

Does anyone else have issues like this with Abbey/Fleming etc, ones that are trailed and fully offset?

PS, I did say topping after sheep and not hopping. LOL

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119306737#Comment_119306737

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119306737#Comment_119306737

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119306737#Comment_119306737

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119306737#Comment_119306737

Mathy

I sometimes wonder if it's because the 2nd and third are rotating in opposite directions and the draft is awe tae france!

Is the Abbey drawbar system any good and is the rubber block a good wearing part? I've heard the Fleming is ab it light but the Abbey seems a bit heavier than others. Good or bad!! Mmm, I ponder!

memorystick

70 acres of grass here and not many rushes. Was thinking of buying a mower topper but extra cost and afraid of beds. Was looking at Abbey 8 foot. It cuts out to the side and follows behind me on road. Are they the best out there?

whelan2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120677213#Comment_120677213

Have an Abbey offset topper. Bought new 3 years ago. Rocky enough ground here. Also heavy land. I've broken the springs on the front in a very bad patch of rushes but happy enough with it

hopeso

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120677213#Comment_120677213

There's a good few making similar 8 foot toppers, and I'd say they're all much of a much. Maybe some are heavier than others. One thing I see is that a lot of them can be got fully galvanised now. No doubt it adds a lot to the cost, but any topper that was here seemed to rot before it was worn out.

kevthegaff

Have a conor 9 ft for 12 yrs now, still going on rough ground. Might buy a mulcher when it packs in

memorystick

is there a big difference between belt drive and gearbox? I saw on DD about €2500 of a difference between a Major and Abbey. Both 8 foot offset. I wouldn’t have rushy land.

hopeso

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120727981#Comment_120727981

They're both gear driven. I'd say it's almost impossible to get a new belt driven topper now. The Major is probably fully galvanised? That would account for some of the price difference anyway...

mlekelly

I have an 8ft trailed wylie and cannot get a clean cut on thistles - anyone had this issue? Seems to knock as many as it cuts. Leaving field it looks perfect but then thistles come back up quickly as not cut at the base. Had a similar conor one before and always cut perfect.

his one has three sets of 2 blades on a heavy gauge triangular plate and just wondering if its rotating slower or the plate is knocking them before getting a chance to cut them. Don't think its anything with settings unless you call a slower gear (in the box) a setting.

memorystick

https://www.lsmltd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/M9-in-line-parts-and-price-list.pdf

What are these like? Seem simpler than offset. I assume cheaper