wkdfilly
Member
Hi All, I'm looking to get a paddock cleaner for this summer (would like an easier time than poo picking 30 acres this summer!!). Any recommendations on good ones or ones to steer clear of? Thanks
Paddock Cleaners
- Thread starter wkdfilly
- Start date
Bede
Well-Known Member
I had one years ago, one which worked by brushing / sweeping rather than vacuuming. It did not do a good job and in the end I gave it away.
I think these sort have since been linked with an increased risk of grass sickness
I think these sort have since been linked with an increased risk of grass sickness
JustKickOn
Well-Known Member
The vacuum ones are good, so long as you keep the pipe clear and the suction seal is good. It's not brill with wet poo, but partially dried/light poo is good. Have a look at Trafalgar Paddock Cleaners.
Would avoid the brush ones as they disturb the ground.
Would avoid the brush ones as they disturb the ground.
tda
Well-Known Member
I looked at the vac ones, and am still very tempted. they're not as expensive as I expected
LovesCobs
Well-Known Member
I had a trafalgar, loved it overall. Sold it when I was down to two horses 
it cleared wet and dry well, long grass as well. Didn't do the acorns very well. hard to tip when full so I ended up digging it out into the muck heap which was hard work but still better than lugging round the barrow
it cleared wet and dry well, long grass as well. Didn't do the acorns very well. hard to tip when full so I ended up digging it out into the muck heap which was hard work but still better than lugging round the barrowDry Rot
Well-Known Member
I have 25 acres and a dozen Highland ponies. I also have a Predator vacuum machine which is pulled by a Honda quad.
In an ideal world, I'd also like a sweeper type too, probably a Nicholson, that would run off the PTO of the tractor. With the price being >£10,000, I can't see me getting one soon!
I also have a 10 foot chain harrows with 3 inch spikes that is puled behind the MF135.
I think the answer to dealing with poo is to use common sense! The vacuum type is expensive to run as both the machine and the quad use petrol. BUT the Predator does a very good job sucking up almost every different type of poo. The pipe will eventually get blocked if you try to suck up wet poo as it sticks to the insides of the pipe, but it will even pull poo out of long grass if it's dry. For smallish paddocks I think it would be excellent -- but expensive to use because of the fuel.
I'd like a sweeper as well because I think they would make a good job of cleaning up dry poo. I would pick a PTO driven machine because the MF135 is very economical and runs on red diesel.
But I have to confess the tool I use most often is the chain harrows behind the tractor. I have a heavy railway sleeper attached across behind the harrows. I choose my harrowing days carefully and tend to harrow when the poo breaks up with light pressure from my foot. The harrows then smashes up the lumps and spreads the dung very nicely, especially if I harrow twice at right angles.
I can understand the arguments about grass sickness but reasoning tells me that the worst damage would be caused by putting horses onto pastures that have recently been harrowed/swept when the poo is wet and not allowing time for the weather to disperse what's left, so forcing horses to eat contaminated grass. My logic also tells me that harrowing shouldn't spread worms either if the fields are rested for a long enough period and the lumps are broken up. I don't know if my reasoning is correct, but so far, so good.
In an ideal world, I'd also like a sweeper type too, probably a Nicholson, that would run off the PTO of the tractor. With the price being >£10,000, I can't see me getting one soon!
I also have a 10 foot chain harrows with 3 inch spikes that is puled behind the MF135.
I think the answer to dealing with poo is to use common sense! The vacuum type is expensive to run as both the machine and the quad use petrol. BUT the Predator does a very good job sucking up almost every different type of poo. The pipe will eventually get blocked if you try to suck up wet poo as it sticks to the insides of the pipe, but it will even pull poo out of long grass if it's dry. For smallish paddocks I think it would be excellent -- but expensive to use because of the fuel.
I'd like a sweeper as well because I think they would make a good job of cleaning up dry poo. I would pick a PTO driven machine because the MF135 is very economical and runs on red diesel.
But I have to confess the tool I use most often is the chain harrows behind the tractor. I have a heavy railway sleeper attached across behind the harrows. I choose my harrowing days carefully and tend to harrow when the poo breaks up with light pressure from my foot. The harrows then smashes up the lumps and spreads the dung very nicely, especially if I harrow twice at right angles.
I can understand the arguments about grass sickness but reasoning tells me that the worst damage would be caused by putting horses onto pastures that have recently been harrowed/swept when the poo is wet and not allowing time for the weather to disperse what's left, so forcing horses to eat contaminated grass. My logic also tells me that harrowing shouldn't spread worms either if the fields are rested for a long enough period and the lumps are broken up. I don't know if my reasoning is correct, but so far, so good.
cavalo branco
Well-Known Member
We have the largest Trafalgar vacuum and it is brilliant, powerful suction, good in long grass, works in the wet. I would recommend the large size otherwise you would have to empty it very quickly. We don't use it in the winter purely because of the mud that the quad would create.
It's been a brilliant purchase for us, we got it secondhand on eBay!! We have had to buy a replacement hose but otherwise it's been very reliable.
It's been a brilliant purchase for us, we got it secondhand on eBay!! We have had to buy a replacement hose but otherwise it's been very reliable.
Follysmum
Well-Known Member
We have the large Trafalgar and have been really happy with it. Well worth the money if you have a lot of poo picking to do.
eggs
Well-Known Member
I have an older large Predator (from before Kylix became the distributor) which I tow with a quad. I also have a Logic sweeper which I tow with the quad. The Predator is my preferred option as it is ace in long grass and with wet poo. It is more expensive (and noisier) than the Logic sweeper and you do have to give it a good clean out inside to keep the suction up to scratch. My Predator doesn't have the hydraulic empty which the newer Lynx does so it is a bit of effort to empty it out and fork it up onto the much heap.
paddy555
Well-Known Member
I have a predator about 10 years old and it has done a lot of work and I would never get the ground as clean as it can.
However it likes to drink. A lot! One thing to look out for with the vacuum ones is fuel consumption of both the vacuum and the towing vehicle.
I am looking to replace it with a trafalger, preferably one with the swivel as I work on my own a lot. Nice to see some good reveiws of the trafalgar.
Any problems with them? and how are they on fuel consumption? (the larger ones, we have 10)
However it likes to drink. A lot! One thing to look out for with the vacuum ones is fuel consumption of both the vacuum and the towing vehicle.
I am looking to replace it with a trafalger, preferably one with the swivel as I work on my own a lot. Nice to see some good reveiws of the trafalgar.
Any problems with them? and how are they on fuel consumption? (the larger ones, we have 10)
Dry Rot
Well-Known Member
I think it might be possible to change the Predator engine (13.5HP?) for a diesel engine, but I haven't had a serious look into that. Or maybe even propane for both quad and Predator? Any mechanics on here?