richard thomas
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posted on 1/6/10 at 10:48 AM |
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Anyone used a rotovator?
Looking to turn over my front and rear gardens prior to turfing them. Initially though of digging up the existing grass, but it's a big job -
already removed the bulk of the shrubs/bushes/tree stumps etc...
Anyone know if a rotovator will cut through existing lawn, or just skid over the top?
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blakep82
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posted on 1/6/10 at 10:51 AM |
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i used one last year on my garden, same thing, tuning it over to help flatten it out and dig a pond etc.
not sure if i was using it right, but it wanted to just drive over the top, i had to really use all my weight to hold it back to make it dig in. once
the top layer was broken it worked a lot better
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jossey
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posted on 1/6/10 at 10:55 AM |
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i have used one i got from jewsons for a day.
its great until you find rocks or routes then it throws you around like a doll strapped to a rally car.
i turned over my whole garden 50m x 10m in 1 day. but i suggest get rid of any stones first.
Buy sand if your going to grass it and spread over top soil and mix in with rotavator.
good luck
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flak monkey
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posted on 1/6/10 at 11:02 AM |
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Depends what sort. We had a 60yr old 2 stroke monster which would plough through anything (including buried bricks) with no worries.
The cheap modern lightweight ones are harder work though.
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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Agriv8
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posted on 1/6/10 at 11:21 AM |
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I did my garden with a monster one and took 2 to hold it back for the first cut.
Strongly suggest you dig out any dandylions before you start.
regards
Agriv8
Taller than your average Guy !
Management is like a tree of monkeys. - Those at the top look down and see a tree full of smiling faces. BUT Those at the bottom look up and see a
tree full of a*seholes .............
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Daddylonglegs
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posted on 1/6/10 at 11:33 AM |
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As already said, they work if they are man enough but be prepared for a serious workout! And hang on!
It looks like the Midget is winning at the moment......
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emsfactory
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posted on 1/6/10 at 11:45 AM |
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depends on the machine.
I have an oldy but a goody.
Just add a few inches to the depth each time and you should be fine. They can be a bit skittish breakin through in the first instance though.
It took me about 4 passes to get to full depth on my plot. It had been unused for about 10 years. That was then down about a foot.
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BenB
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posted on 1/6/10 at 11:47 AM |
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Hang on and as said get rid of any perinial weeds first because if you chop bindweed, couch grass, marestail etc etc into a thousand pieces
you'll regret it in a years time
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Andi
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posted on 1/6/10 at 11:49 AM |
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I used to rotovate for a living. I used a Ferrari rotovater.. (probably the only Ferrari ill ever drive).
It was a scary beast, even after years of using it.
If your machine is not quite up to the job, give the ground a good soaking first.
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v8kid
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posted on 1/6/10 at 12:50 PM |
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I hired a 4 wheeled sit on one a bit like a minitractor when we built the house. Only £20 dearer and it was no effort at all. I rotovated 0.5 acre in
the morning and drank beer in the afternoon.
Happy days!
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coozer
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posted on 1/6/10 at 03:31 PM |
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I didn't bother with one and just drank beer all day.
1972 V8 Jago
1980 Z750
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richard thomas
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posted on 1/6/10 at 05:00 PM |
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Smiths toolhire down the road do one that looks purposeful for £31 per day or £40 per weekend...no contest seeing as I was looking to buy one on
fleabay and was aghast at the prices!
Any tips on prep for turf laying? I have given the weeds a good sousing with Roundup then Weedol....hope that will see them off? The existing grass I
was hoping to rotovate into the ground...
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norfolkluego
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posted on 1/6/10 at 07:52 PM |
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quote: Originally posted by richard thomas
Smiths toolhire down the road do one that looks purposeful for £31 per day or £40 per weekend...no contest seeing as I was looking to buy one on
fleabay and was aghast at the prices!
Any tips on prep for turf laying? I have given the weeds a good sousing with Roundup then Weedol....hope that will see them off? The existing grass I
was hoping to rotovate into the ground...
Depends on the soil you've got, if it's heavy clay you need somethime to break it up, lime if I remember. If it's dry sandy soil
(particularly on a slope) you need something to retain moisture, compost or something similar.
[Edited on 1/6/10 by norfolkluego]
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richard thomas
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posted on 1/6/10 at 08:18 PM |
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Pretty good soil so far as I can make out...quite sandy - near to the sea here - but looks dark in colour, almost the colour of potting soil.
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