New topper - what's recommended?

[Highland Mule]

Google

This seems like a good deal, but I'd need to factor in delivery vs buying local for list price(ish), so want to work out the options before wasting the dealers' time. I've had a decent few years out of a second hand Fleming 5' semi-inline that's now showing its age, and upgrade/ replacement appeals.

6' would be okay, but no desire to go much wider that that for getting through gates, into corners etc. It will maybe top 30 acres a year of reasonably safe grassland, plus the odd foray into the stones when I'm trying to reclaim some heavy rush/ rough ground. Running on an old 200 series Massey, so nothing too heavy (not offset) or heavy on power, and needs to be fairly robust, as I can be a rough operator.

What's my alternative options before I ring around to do a deal?

 

[Dave W]

Ask @rusty about that dealer

 

[Highland Mule]

Ask @rusty about that dealer

Sounds ominous.

 

[bobk]

Google

This seems like a good deal, but I'd need to factor in delivery vs buying local for list price(ish), so want to work out the options before wasting the dealers' time. I've had a decent few years out of a second hand Fleming 5' semi-inline that's now showing its age, and upgrade/ replacement appeals.

6' would be okay, but no desire to go much wider that that for getting through gates, into corners etc. It will maybe top 30 acres a year of reasonably safe grassland, plus the odd foray into the stones when I'm trying to reclaim some heavy rush/ rough ground. Running on an old 200 series Massey, so nothing too heavy (not offset) or heavy on power, and needs to be fairly robust, as I can be a rough operator.

What's my alternative options before I ring around to do a deal?

You need a good one if you're a rough arse

 

[startinghandle]

It's end of season now so there should be end of season prices

 

[Dave W]

It's end of season now so there should be end of season prices

I think that's a thing of the past now. Especially on low value stuff. There isn't an in and out of season

 

[rusty]

Ask @rusty about that dealer

Bought a tractor off them which they claimed they had lost the V5. It had never existed as the number plate was wrong, it had one digit missing. With the help of TFF and a very nice lady at DVLA Swansea I finally got it sorted.

 

[Wellytrack]

Without jumping on board the Fleming is rubbish train all those pasture toppers are very lightly made. The decks rust out in no time, the gearbox’s are soft and it won’t cut anything but grass and nettles.

Your choice but I would put my money in something second hand and much more robust.

 

[Little squeak]

I have never used a topper always my disc mower what are the advantages? Does it make a better job if so in what way?

 

[Farmer_Joe]

My late father had a Fleming it was sh!t, had at least 2 boxes and did very little work,

I’ve got a foster now seems ok so far

 

[john432]

I have never used a topper always my disc mower what are the advantages? Does it make a better job if so in what way?

No they don't cut better than a drum or disc mower. Just a simple machine with a lot less to go wrong if you hit something. But one thing is fact, the cleaner you cut the grass, I mean a sharp clean cut, rather than torn off with a flail, the regrowth is much faster.

 

[john432]

My late father had a Fleming it was sh!t, had at least 2 boxes and did very little work,

I’ve got a foster now seems ok so far

How much HP did he have in front of it? Most of the budjet toppers use the same Commer gearbox or copies of and are only rated for about 30 to 40 hp

 

[Highland Mule]

So Foster better than Fleming? Never had any issue with the old 5' Fleming - a few shear bolts, but no issues with gearbox etc. Any other makes recommended?

To answer the question of finishing mower vs. topper - a topper can cut over stonoes, mole heaps branches etc. without any concerns. Wouldn't quite stall the tractor with it, but it has far more resiliance to foreign objects, in my experience.

 

[Farmer_Joe]

How much HP did he have in front of it? Most of the budjet toppers use the same Commer gearbox or copies of and are only rated for about 30 to 40 hp

He unleashed the full power of a international 475 upon it

to befair I’ve no idea if oneS better than other, when I looked the foster has 3 Gearboxes one todrive each blade then 1in middle to take pto and split drive, cheaper ones only have 2 boxes and pto goes into it and it drives a rotor

 

[Highland Mule]

He unleashed the full power of a international 475 upon it

to befair I’ve no idea if oneS better than other, when I looked the foster has 3 Gearboxes one todrive each blade then 1in middle to take pto and split drive, cheaper ones only have 2 boxes and pto goes into it and it drives a rotor

More gearboxes are for wider machines, not for more expensive ones. 6' and under is one box, one rotor and one pair of blades. anything bigger has three boxes - one to split and then one for each rotor/ blade pair, hence why I'm sticking to smaller sizes.

 

[Lofty1984]

Just get a flail topper and be done with it

 

[Farmer_Joe]

More gearboxes are for wider machines, not for more expensive ones. 6' and under is one box, one rotor and one pair of blades. anything bigger has three boxes - one to split and then one for each rotor/ blade pair, hence why I'm sticking to smaller sizes.

You can get wide ones with only 2 boxes I saw them and hence avoided them as you say in your case prob not relevent t as your will Be single rotor

 

[Highland Mule]

Just get a flail topper and be done with it

Not convinced it's necessary, and the money is a bit more - plus they are more fragile too, I believe. The ground here is not all bowling green flat.

 

[grainboy]

Not new, but good make and strong,
Available for sale

 

[Highland Mule]

Anyone any experience of the chain type 'Jungle buster'? Seem that they could batter the gorse/ heather and bracken around here.