Small flock shearing setup

[scatterbrainedlass]

Can I ask to see your setup when clipping small numbers on site in a field where it's either inaccessible for a clipping trailer or not worth the hassle of setting up? Pen setup and what do you put down on the floor to keep everything clean?

 

[AvonValleyFarmer]

Couple sheets of 8 x 4 ply for a floor?

 

[scatterbrainedlass]

Couple sheets of 8 x 4 ply for a floor?

That was my thinking....

 

[AvonValleyFarmer]

Great minds

 

[Man_in_black]

I did this last year. Set up hurdles to gather. I put sheet of ply in corner. Just keep the ply clear of wool/sh!t. I did 65 last year just in corner of field.

 

[It was already broken.]

I have used the same sheet of 12mm ply for about 10 or 12 years and it is like an ice rink. No ewe can get any purchase on it at all! Just keep flicking it over if one does a dump. Pole with a bracket on to take the machine is tied to one of the hurdles. Gene in the back of the pick up. Ifor trailer with the wool sack on the ladder rack. Just me and the dog and the sheep in the sunshine doing everything at our own speed, heaven.

 

[Gulli]

I've got a sheet of chipboard. Gives a bit more grip than ply if it's damp and they are pissing all over it.
Run them all indoors because I don't have a generator or a long enough extension lead
Down to about 30 to shear this year

 

[Hilly]

All on top of a large tarp to collect all the bits of wool.

 

[David.]

An old carpet is fine, can be easily swept off and keeps fleeces off floor. And a sheet of ply to shear on.

 

[scatterbrainedlass]

Would chipboard not be more likely to get damp and rot over time?

 

[scatterbrainedlass]

I have used the same sheet of 12mm ply for about 10 or 12 years and it is like an ice rink. No ewe can get any purchase on it at all! Just keep flicking it over if one does a dump. Pole with a bracket on to take the machine is tied to one of the hurdles. Gene in the back of the pick up. Ifor trailer with the wool sack on the ladder rack. Just me and the dog and the sheep in the sunshine doing everything at our own speed, heaven.

Sounds almost idyllic! We've got a pen setup with concrete floor and an overhead beam which is ideal, problem is it's so dusty I almost wonder whether we might be better off on grass!

Thanks for all the input, first year doing them ourselves so just trying to find a system that will work for us.

 

[David.]

First sheep that kicks the handpiece out of your hand, and you will probably be £17 better off on a carpet, than on concrete..

 

[scatterbrainedlass]

First sheep that kicks the handpiece out of your hand, and you will probably be £17 better off on a carpet, than on concrete..

Yeah, had one kick it out of my hand into the pen metalwork while on a clipping course, snapped my comb carpet or grass definitely a safer option!

 

[Gulli]

Would chipboard not be more likely to get damp and rot over time?

Probably. But I've slipped and faceplanted on a sheet of ply more than enough times to be able to afford a new sheet of chipboard when this one gives up.