Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 7184 Location: South Kent
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 06 11:50 am Post subject:
No, I haven't... !!!
Two different attributes - power and versatility.
From your first link, those guys do rotovators with rather more *power* than their 'tractor'... but they can't take the add-ons for all the other jobs.
It certainly seems a good concept to have one big motor and all manner of tools that can be driven by it, rather than multiple complete dedicated machines.
How good those attachments might be, compared to fully dedicated kit is another question...
It now occurs to me that the strange devices I have seen European 'peasant farmers' riding around on were actually "2-wheeled tractors" equipped with trailers on which the people sat or stood... !!!
Re your current rotovator, and its problems.
Is it the 4.5hp model?
Can you (did you) narrow the 'working width' to concentrate the power (and reduce the strain on clutch and gearbox?
-- the initial breaking of soil is really hard. Once the soil is broken, you can apply the power to a greater width, and make a much quicker run through to mix/open/reduce the soil.
Was it a burnt out clutch?
Re your current rotovator, and its problems.
Is it the 4.5hp model?
Can you (did you) narrow the 'working width' to concentrate the power (and reduce the strain on clutch and gearbox?
Yes, and of course no
Didn't realise we needed to narrow it till the bleeder stopped and I read the manual...
Still a lot of work for the poor fella (although this will be by far it's hardest season) the thing that attracted me about the tractor option was the fact that you can get a plough, chipper, mower etc for it
Have a look in the back of Country Smallholding, where are a few that look good, two in particular I might be interested in Alpine tractors ltd & BSG tractors they are in Colchester.