Jump to content

Log in or register to remove this advert

scythe mowers


dogman
 Share

Recommended Posts

Anyone use one ? or recommend a make/model ?. I have a large rough(very)area to cut, they want it done twice a year & its not been done for a few years, so would appreciate some advice.

 

Thanks for looking,

 

Rob

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Log in or register to remove this advert

  • Replies 21
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

One thing from experience - don't buy an Allen Scythe unless you are a masochistic dwarf powerlifter.

 

They are old but they work fantastically well. They are really simple to fix and you can still get all the parts. They are cheap. But - they have a deathwish, they head for the nearest pond/barbed wire fence/small child and they are not designed for people of average height. I am of slightly above average height and use one once or twice a year to cut some of ours - it has gone straight through 7' thistles, and nettles which are chest high without missing a beat. The only thing which stops it is when it sucks a whole nettle down the air intake! It has even been flooded once, dried out and still runs, but cutting about 2/3 of an acre takes me three goes of about 20mins each and each time I come in pouring with sweat and collapse on the floor with back pain, having wrestled and fought it all the way.

 

I would also avoid Monro-tillers - the chatter bar cutter (scythe bar) is driven off an eccentric and the drive arm is a weakpoint - we broke 3 before we gave up.

 

Alec

Link to comment
Share on other sites

One thing from experience - don't buy an Allen Scythe unless you are a masochistic dwarf powerlifter.

 

They are old but they work fantastically well. They are really simple to fix and you can still get all the parts. They are cheap. But - they have a deathwish, they head for the nearest pond/barbed wire fence/small child and they are not designed for people of average height. I am of slightly above average height and use one once or twice a year to cut some of ours - it has gone straight through 7' thistles, and nettles which are chest high without missing a beat. The only thing which stops it is when it sucks a whole nettle down the air intake! It has even been flooded once, dried out and still runs, but cutting about 2/3 of an acre takes me three goes of about 20mins each and each time I come in pouring with sweat and collapse on the floor with back pain, having wrestled and fought it all the way.

 

I would also avoid Monro-tillers - the chatter bar cutter (scythe bar) is driven off an eccentric and the drive arm is a weakpoint - we broke 3 before we gave up.

 

Alec

 

lmao, after reading that, I,d have to get a allen scythe just for the experience.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've used an older Agria one and a newer Grillo one (GF4 I believe) for doing meadow cuts. I found them to be hard work on anything other than nice flat meadow with not too dense swathes. Depending again on the terrain but I found myself wrestling with it more than it 'self propelling' - like a shopping trolley with a dodgy wheel. An exhausting experience after 5 hours. I also found because you are cutting material and leaving it long can lead to material fouling the axle and I'd need to cut bits out every hour or so (was a bit of bramble in there sometimes).

 

I've not tried the heavier weight ones but my feelings are a compact tractor with a flail is a far better proposition.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Agg221 sums an Allen Scythe perfectly, steer clear IMO, unless you like a challenge or charging towards fences wonder if you can stop/turn away in time.

 

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Arbtalk mobile app

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you for the information(and a laugh !). I've no experience of scythe mowers, or of doing an area as rough such as the one I've got to do, so any advice on technique or equipment would be most welcome.

 

Rob

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share


  •  

  • Featured Adverts

About

Arbtalk.co.uk is a hub for the arboriculture industry in the UK.  
If you're just starting out and you need business, equipment, tech or training support you're in the right place.  If you've done it, made it, got a van load of oily t-shirts and have decided to give something back by sharing your knowledge or wisdom,  then you're welcome too.
If you would like to contribute to making this industry more effective and safe then welcome.
Just like a living tree, it'll always be a work in progress.
Please have a look around, sign up, share and contribute the best you have.

See you inside.

The Arbtalk Team

Follow us

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.