Rotadairon - product review
- Thread starter dylan
- Start date
At 11,214.92 USD it sure should be a good tool, but I imagine you will make your money with it? Of course, when one adds up all the costs of all the tools you use, I would suppose you'd really have to charge a lot to do the job. Thanks for the post, great info. John
Bucky4
Silver Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2004
- Messages
- 160
- Location
- Eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh
- Tractor
- '03 L3130, '06 BX24, '11 RTV1100
Kioti,
I know you probably came up with the $11K figure based on the currency exchange rate, but the prices I got are several $K less, at least on the smaller units. I'm guessing that dylan has one of these based on the size of his tractor. (TC33D)
The two smallest models are priced between $8000-8200. Cast iron packer roller is another $750. Seeder is a whopping $2300 more.
When the weather breaks around here, I'm having a dealer demo a 41" model with the seeder. I want to see the entire unit in action, but I really want to see why a stainless steel box costs so darn much!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
I'll post an update when that occurs.
bucky4
I know you probably came up with the $11K figure based on the currency exchange rate, but the prices I got are several $K less, at least on the smaller units. I'm guessing that dylan has one of these based on the size of his tractor. (TC33D)
The two smallest models are priced between $8000-8200. Cast iron packer roller is another $750. Seeder is a whopping $2300 more.
When the weather breaks around here, I'm having a dealer demo a 41" model with the seeder. I want to see the entire unit in action, but I really want to see why a stainless steel box costs so darn much!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
I'll post an update when that occurs.
bucky4
Von
Veteran Member, Advertiser
I wonder if you could fabricate some sort of roller and seeder to the back of a tiller? Having never seen one of these in person, I don't know if it would work. Anyone have any ideas?
Bowhunter
Gold Member
I don't know but I'll be watching this thread to find out.
dylan, great review of a great looking tool. Thanks!
dylan, great review of a great looking tool. Thanks!
Bucky4
Silver Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2004
- Messages
- 160
- Location
- Eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh
- Tractor
- '03 L3130, '06 BX24, '11 RTV1100
Here's another brand that is very similar - Blecavator. Anyone know anything about them?
http://www.blec.co.uk/blecavator%20stoneburier.htm
http://www.blec.co.uk/blecavator%20stoneburier.htm
dummy
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2001
- Messages
- 735
- Location
- Southern Maryland
- Tractor
- Ford 1220, John Deere 770, Case 580E and Allmand TLB-35
I was looking at the picture and had the same thought. Wouldn't hurt to try.
AllianceLands
New member
I am interested in purchasing a Rotadairon machine, however I have e-mailed the company with no response. Do you know of a dealer that I can contact concerning the machine.
Bucky4
Silver Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2004
- Messages
- 160
- Location
- Eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh
- Tractor
- '03 L3130, '06 BX24, '11 RTV1100
Alliance,
I'm surprised to hear Dairon hasn't responded to your inquiry; they were very quick in their reply to me.
In response to your dealer inquiry, it would help to know where you are located. You may want to update your bio.
In the meantime, I had the opportunity to "test drive" a Rotadairon last Friday. I didn't post until now because I forgot my camera for the demo and I have been trying to get back to snap some. Unfortunately, spare time is nonexistent for me, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to get there. In the meantime, recheck dylan's pix because my finished product looked like his. Here is my humble opinion of the product.
Review Item: Rotadairon 40 inch with mesh roller and stainless steel seed box.
Tractor: NH TC33 hydro (very nice little tractor, but that's for another review)
First Impressions:
Overall the unit is built like a tank. Tiller and frame are very heavy duty.
The mesh roller is OK, but I agree with dylan. I believe the packer roller would do a much better job of burying the seed.
The ss seeder is the biggest waste of $2300!!!!! I think someone was smoking something other than tobacco when they built and priced this thing!! I thought it was very flimsy and extremely light weight. It just rested on the tiller crossmember with pins underneath to keep it from bouncing off. Very poor design.
The seed auger is powered by a hard rubber wheel resting on the mesh roller. As the mesh roller turns, it turns the wheel, which turns the auger, etc, etc. On the opposite side of the seedbox, there is a dial to control the amount of seed flow.
Another bad design (IMHO) is that the wheel is the only rear support point on the seed box; the other side (seed dial side) has nothing to rest against as the box is leaned towards the mesh roller. That may not be a big deal when the seeder is empty, but if it's full, the vibration and increased weight are going to cause this box to twist - guaranteed. It's too flimsy not to twist!
Performance:
The reverse rotation tiller did an excellent job of pulverizing the soil, both virgin clay and clay with 8 inch high weeds. It buried all of the green stuff and 98% of the stones. (Honest, I counted them all!!) Since it only tills about 4" deep (??), the larger stones and roots still appeared.
Dylan noted that his would "cultivate to a depth of 8.5 inches (22 cm), " but I was told about 4" max. I'm not sure who is correct on this one, as I never went beyond the dealer's preset depth of about 4", but I'd put my money on dylan.
Basically, my opinion of the Rotadairon is the same as dylan's:
it is well built
it prepares a fantastic seedbed
it takes some time to learn to adjust it correctly
it can't get close to other objects (buildings, trees, etc)
the seeder works well, is poorly designed and outrageously OVERpriced
and the most important point...
the machine is expen$$$$ive.
Here's the price I received:
51" Rotadairon, cast iron packer roller, no seed box, no sales tax, delivered to my door.... are you sitting for this one???? $9930
Blecavator and ATI Preseeder reviews to follow soon. Hopefully, I'll remember the camera!
Good day to all....
bucky4
I'm surprised to hear Dairon hasn't responded to your inquiry; they were very quick in their reply to me.
In response to your dealer inquiry, it would help to know where you are located. You may want to update your bio.
In the meantime, I had the opportunity to "test drive" a Rotadairon last Friday. I didn't post until now because I forgot my camera for the demo and I have been trying to get back to snap some. Unfortunately, spare time is nonexistent for me, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to get there. In the meantime, recheck dylan's pix because my finished product looked like his. Here is my humble opinion of the product.
Review Item: Rotadairon 40 inch with mesh roller and stainless steel seed box.
Tractor: NH TC33 hydro (very nice little tractor, but that's for another review)
First Impressions:
Overall the unit is built like a tank. Tiller and frame are very heavy duty.
The mesh roller is OK, but I agree with dylan. I believe the packer roller would do a much better job of burying the seed.
The ss seeder is the biggest waste of $2300!!!!! I think someone was smoking something other than tobacco when they built and priced this thing!! I thought it was very flimsy and extremely light weight. It just rested on the tiller crossmember with pins underneath to keep it from bouncing off. Very poor design.
The seed auger is powered by a hard rubber wheel resting on the mesh roller. As the mesh roller turns, it turns the wheel, which turns the auger, etc, etc. On the opposite side of the seedbox, there is a dial to control the amount of seed flow.
Another bad design (IMHO) is that the wheel is the only rear support point on the seed box; the other side (seed dial side) has nothing to rest against as the box is leaned towards the mesh roller. That may not be a big deal when the seeder is empty, but if it's full, the vibration and increased weight are going to cause this box to twist - guaranteed. It's too flimsy not to twist!
Performance:
The reverse rotation tiller did an excellent job of pulverizing the soil, both virgin clay and clay with 8 inch high weeds. It buried all of the green stuff and 98% of the stones. (Honest, I counted them all!!) Since it only tills about 4" deep (??), the larger stones and roots still appeared.
Dylan noted that his would "cultivate to a depth of 8.5 inches (22 cm), " but I was told about 4" max. I'm not sure who is correct on this one, as I never went beyond the dealer's preset depth of about 4", but I'd put my money on dylan.
Basically, my opinion of the Rotadairon is the same as dylan's:
it is well built
it prepares a fantastic seedbed
it takes some time to learn to adjust it correctly
it can't get close to other objects (buildings, trees, etc)
the seeder works well, is poorly designed and outrageously OVERpriced
and the most important point...
the machine is expen$$$$ive.
Here's the price I received:
51" Rotadairon, cast iron packer roller, no seed box, no sales tax, delivered to my door.... are you sitting for this one???? $9930
Blecavator and ATI Preseeder reviews to follow soon. Hopefully, I'll remember the camera!
Good day to all....
bucky4
cadblaster
Silver Member
I didn't even know about these things until I read this thread the other day. They certainly do an awesome job. I think the price is certainly too prohibitive unless you had a ton of lawn to do, or were preparing sod fields, or doing it commercially.
I find it interesting that it basically uses the same method of lawn bed prep that I have been doing with my tiller and roller. It does make me think about connecting the roller directly to the tiller so one pass would be all I need. I bought a cheap poly roller, but I think a metal one could be modified with expanded metal mesh to perform similar results.
I find it interesting that it basically uses the same method of lawn bed prep that I have been doing with my tiller and roller. It does make me think about connecting the roller directly to the tiller so one pass would be all I need. I bought a cheap poly roller, but I think a metal one could be modified with expanded metal mesh to perform similar results.