Topper or flail before dd

[alomy75]

I’m soon going to drill my AB9 direct but have dead old cover to drill into. I need to cut it as I have a tine drill (sprinter) It will handle alive cover but not dead and brittle. We have an off set flail but it’s only 2m and we have about 5ha now. Wondering about a 3m topper to speed the job up but will the longer straw length still cause me grief? Flail is slow but will pulverise. Thoughts?

 

[Kevtherev]

Could you hire a flail or a batwing topper perhaps?

 

[alomy75]

Yeah maybe. But a 3m topper would prob be more cost effective to buy (used). I was thinking more about the finished job (?)

 

[Will Blackburn]

3m flail on the front to give you 5m.

 

[Wombat]

It’s 5ha just get it done with the 2m? Or am I missing something? We cut our sileage with a 1.85m drum mower

 

[alomy75]

It’s 5ha just get it done with the 2m? Or am I missing something? We cut our sileage with a 1.85m drum mower

Very good point but in future I can see us doing more of this sort of stuff. It was more whether the longer straw from a topper would cause issues blocking my drill. I imagine the topper will use less fuel too…

 

[DrDunc]

Very good point but in future I can see us doing more of this sort of stuff. It was more whether the longer straw from a topper would cause issues blocking my drill. I imagine the topper will use less fuel too…

Fuel usage depends upon the type of flail and model of topper.

A flail with hammer heads will use most fuel. A flail with Y or J type blades is much easier on fuel, makes a better job of mulching, and you can travel much faster. Something like a Kverneland FXJ does the job really well.

Bat wing most economical and near as good mulching. If you can afford one, they're your best bet for economy and finish.

The other end of the topper spectrum, something like a McConnell rhino or cheap and flimsy abbey, would best be avoided. Take your time with regularly sharpened blades and you'll get the job done, but you'll want a quick run through afterwards with your flail to make the debris fine enough for a tine drill.