Replacement Topper

[Qaz]

Have a 6ft Fleming semi offset topper that's in its last legs, thinking of upgrading to a 9ft inline one.



Anyone have any experience of them. Just needed to get stemmy grass topped after grazing in summer and probably so light rushes

Semi offset can leave some lines where wheel tramples grass wondering will I end up with 2 lines with a 9ft inline one.

Appreciate any feedback

 

[Sheepfog]

Used to have a Fleming, and it left lines as you describe.

Swapped it for a McConnell Rhino (9 ft) and it is much better, leaves a tidy finish and will tackle much thicker stuff. More expensive as you'd expect though.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I have a Kidd, and it does leave lines, however, it was the cheapest (I think about £1700 when I got it), so happy to have the lines! It has proves remarkably robust too, when I have abused it cutting gorse so overall very pleased bearing in mind the cost. I think if I had a lot more rough work to do, I would buy a McConnell, but I have got rid of all the gorse now.

 

[Spudie]

Another vote for rhino , came across one rough but cheap and does 1st class job. Just needs new blades, there not cheap but still didn’t make it expensive when done

 

[balerman]

Bought a disc mower specifically for topping this year after my 6ft abbey online topper died.The difference in re growth is amazing,all those rotary toppers do is chew it off making for much slower re growth.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

Bought a disc mower specifically for topping this year after my 6ft abbey online topper died.The difference in re growth is amazing,all those rotary toppers do is chew it off making for much slower re growth.

I remember James Daniel (Precision Grazing) asking everyone, when they ever sharpened a topper blade? Everybody was quiet!

 

[balerman]

I remember James Daniel (Precision Grazing) asking everyone, when they ever sharpened a topper blade? Everybody was quiet!

They don’t cut well even when new,much better mow it properly and maybe remove toppings if particularly heavy.

 

[john432]

Bought a disc mower specifically for topping this year after my 6ft abbey online topper died.The difference in re growth is amazing,all those rotary toppers do is chew it off making for much slower re growth.

And I could add...the regrowth from a finger bar mower is much faster than from disc/ drum mowers...it would probably be worth touching up the blades with a cordless angle grinder between mowing fields ..

 

[Binc]

I remember James Daniel (Precision Grazing) asking everyone, when they ever sharpened a topper blade? Everybody was quiet!

cordless grinder and a flap disc - every 8-10 hours more often if I clip something.

I love our votex decent overlap of the blades and only 1 gearbox to worry about!

 

[danpwll]

my teagle on its 16th season , showing signs of wear, tempted to go for another 8ft offset

 

[michael N123]

Unless your topping regularly are they even worth buying?

I just hire a big bomford batwing of a local contractor and can do ALOT of acres in a a long day with it tidying the farm up for a couple days a year