McConnel finger bar hedge cutter

FG.

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
North Wiltshire
Friend who does paddock maintenance wondered if this would be any use.
He's got a 28hp Iseki and a 35
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20211019_072019.jpg
 

Kidds

Member
Horticulture
We had one donkeys years ago. Was OK but a flail does a better job, not least because you need to clear up after the finger bar cutter.
Ours had a cage type guard over those belts. If it's for paddock maintenance you will need to clear the cuttings up afterwards, especially if it is someone else's paddock.
 

FG.

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
North Wiltshire
He also wants to replace doing horse arena hedges by hand, as you can imagine what problems a flail cause.
He asked me to do one 'once' with a flail.
 
Spares are probably obsolete for that machine...
What distance brushing needs doing?
What about A long reach hand held trimmer ?
What is problem with collecting up by hand using rake and fork?
I have done plenty of that
 

7610 super q

Never Forgotten
Honorary Member
What will these type of machines cut ? Was thinking of getting something like this to trim Leylandii , but would be nice if it did fieldwork too. Mostly thorn & bramble. Thorn about 3/4 " thick at most.
 

steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
I remember using one of these 45 years ago and it was a PITA, belts always coming off or slipping. I have a modern version of one of these though, a McConnel Swingtrim, bought to get into places where a big flail is inappropriate, or just can't get in. Hydraulic drive off the spools, so needs a GOOD flow rate, Some machines have a separate PTO pump and tank.

Works OK up to about 15-20mm cuttings, which is fine for annual growth. On lawn areas we/I collect by hand, then run over with a ride on mower. On field areas, I run over with a flail mower :)
 
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BrianV

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Dartmoor
I can just about remember my father having a very early McConnell that was mounted on a trailer & driven by an old petrol engine, no chance of altering the angle very easily or reaching into corners that well, when about 4 years old I walked behind the trailer until he cut though a swarm of bees which decided my wellington boots were the next best thing, still it did give me immunity to bee stings!
 

BrianV

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Dartmoor
What will these type of machines cut ? Was thinking of getting something like this to trim Leylandii , but would be nice if it did fieldwork too. Mostly thorn & bramble. Thorn about 3/4 " thick at most.
They cut really well but do not mulch the trimmings so you have to trim out the foot of the hedge by hand & then burn all what you have cut off. You used to be able to get blades with a couple of saw teeth at the point of each blade to enable you to cut whatever would pass between the points.
 
A nicely painted-up example of a McConnel Power Arm Model U. Last sold in the early-70s so god knows where you'd get parts from. Just ripe for an agricultural museum. Must be because I've got two of them :rolleyes:

Is the Vendor selling the extra bit of flat belt to insert when you've got it set in 'long reach'position??
 

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

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