Which Topper

R

ricardodba

Member

• Jul 11, 2022

• #1

Hi,

I have a small paddock to cut. I’ve got a 90hp John Deere 6300 but don’t need a large , more expensive topper/flail for what I need. So thinking a 6ft topper or flail? Will tractor be too big for that size?
What’s the smallest size topper/flail I could put on tractor?

 

shumungus

Member

Livestock Farmer

Location

Ballyclare Northern Ireland

• Jul 11, 2022

• #2

Ideally you want one at least the width of the tractor

 

R

ricardodba

Member

• Jul 11, 2022

• #3

Why’s that?

 

W

Werzle

Member

Location

Midlands

• Jul 11, 2022

• #4

9ft topper is what you need, all the firms do them. Major, teagle, abbey, wessex, twose etc etc. Waste of time and fuel going any smaller and you will roll over more than you will cut with a 6ft

 

Poorbuthappy

Member

Livestock Farmer

Location

Devon

• Jul 11, 2022

• #5

ricardodba said:

Why’s that?

Click to expand...

Unless it's offset you'll be driving over your weed/ grass too much.
Offset ideal,or min width of tractor and ideally go backwards!
(Presuming no front linkage)

 

Highland Mule

Member

Livestock Farmer

Location

Scottish Highlands

• Jul 11, 2022

• #6

How small is the paddock? If only one and its small, no need to be big at all - quite easy to do it with a 5 footer Fleming or similar.

 

spin cycle

Member

Location

north norfolk

• Jul 11, 2022

• #7

just remember to let pto in gently otherwise you may snap shear bolts

 

D

deere 6600

Member

Mixed Farmer

Location

South Lanarkshire

• Jul 11, 2022

• #8

Sorry to but in I’m looking for one as well is the flail type that really mulches the grass better than one that just cuts it from a regrowth point of view

 

R

ricardodba

Member

• Jul 11, 2022

• #9

No front pto . Why go backwards?

doesn’t matter if I run over the cut grass. It’s only 1.5 acres… Im gonna let sheep come on once cut.
Grass is typical grass meadow…tall grasses in flower (going to seed)

 

Highland Mule

Member

Livestock Farmer

Location

Scottish Highlands

• Jul 11, 2022

• #10

ricardodba said:

No front pto . Why go backwards?

doesn’t matter if I run over the cut grass. It’s only 1.5 acres… Im gonna let sheep come on once cut.
Grass is typical grass meadow…tall grasses in flower (going to seed)

Click to expand...

1.5 acres doesn’t need a topper of any size so just buy whatever is cheapest. Probably fine with a sit on lawnmower if you have access to one.

 

W

Werzle

Member

Location

Midlands

• Jul 11, 2022

• #11

ricardodba said:

No front pto . Why go backwards?

doesn’t matter if I run over the cut grass. It’s only 1.5 acres… Im gonna let sheep come on once cut.
Grass is typical grass meadow…tall grasses in flower (going to seed)

Click to expand...

If you runnover the grass it doesnt get cut and the following day it stands back up again, if a flail topper is put on the front it gets cut before it goes under the wheels. For 1.5 ac paddock i would sell the 90hp tractor and buy a big ride on

 

grainboy

Member

Location

Bedfordshire

• Jul 11, 2022

• #12

Have this available. Tri

blade , does a good job, and strong built, £1200 plus vat

 

R

ricardodba

Member

• Jul 11, 2022

• #13

It’s roughish terrain - don’t think a ride on would cope - not one that would be same price as a topper. Might just go with a topper same width as tractor then or get a smaller offset. Flail or topper? Gonna leave the grass on floor and then hope sheep eat it up. I don’t have access to a rake or bailer so no means to get rid of it and I ain’t hand raking it!

 

Bobthebuilder

Member

Mixed Farmer

Location

northumberland

• Jul 11, 2022

• #14

Strimmer

 

Highland Mule

Member

Livestock Farmer

Location

Scottish Highlands

• Jul 11, 2022

• #15

Bobthebuilder said:

Strimmer

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I almost suggested that. 1.5ac of seed heads wouldn’t take that long either. Anything leafy best left for grazing.

 

R

ricardodba

Member

• Jul 11, 2022

• #16

Don’t have time and to be honest cba to strum it. Quick job with a topper and tractor! Just need a cheap ish , reliable topper !

 

F

Fendt516profi

Member

Livestock Farmer

Location

Yorkshire

• Jul 11, 2022

• #17

ricardodba said:

No front pto . Why go backwards?

doesn’t matter if I run over the cut grass. It’s only 1.5 acres… Im gonna let sheep come on once cut.
Grass is typical grass meadow…tall grasses in flower (going to seed)

Click to expand...

Try letting sheep on first then topping what they leave

 

H

Hjwise

Member

Mixed Farmer

• Jul 11, 2022

• #18

I’ve just bought a Danelander topper - well built, good heavy blades, slip clutch on pto, 2 year warranty. Would recommend.

 

spin cycle

Member

Location

north norfolk

• Jul 11, 2022

• #19

ricardodba said:

No front pto . Why go backwards?

doesn’t matter if I run over the cut grass. It’s only 1.5 acres… Im gonna let sheep come on once cut.
Grass is typical grass meadow…tall grasses in flower (going to seed)

Click to expand...

if the topper is narrower than the tractor you get a lot of wheelings on uncut grass then you have to overlap....it's a right pita......so get at least 5ft......most s/h will be 6-8ft anyway

 

Bobthebuilder

Member

Mixed Farmer

Location

northumberland

• Jul 11, 2022

• #20

By time you find the topper in the nettles from where it was left last year grease it up and fit to tractor you could’ve had half of it strimmed,