Ok, time to get the creative minds flowing here folks!
After searching for the best tool for what I want, I've almost decided I will build my own. Mostly this is due to the cost to purchase what I would like, and the lack of what I think would be all the features I want.
I want the benefits of the following:
Fescue seed planting & overseeding. Many high quality tools here: Super Turf Renovator, Ferguson Yardmaster, and others that utilize a vertical cutter. Downside of all is cost. Turf renovator's spikes appear to break off when they contact stuff, and in our clay, it would likely just poke holes in the dirt, rather than work it up.
Power rake to prep the ground. Love the Woods Power Rake and similar, but wow, the cost. And with only 22 HP, I'm on the way low side to properly handle them and currently lack the remote hydraulics.
Pulverizer, again to prep the soil. Like the looks of many of them, and could add a seed box to several to make it a seeder.
Here's what I'm planning. Feel free to add comments and suggestions. This will not be a quick project for me, but I promise to post pics when I get it going. Around here, many people overseed their lawns almost yearly, so I can keep it busy once I build it.
So, here's what it will look like:
Will be 5ft wide, with ability to angle 15* left or right as a power rake. With the angle, it will be more aggressive in the soil.
Will be PTO driven, with a rototiller type gearbox, including a slip clutch.
Will have seed boxes, most likely three 24inch drop seeder type rigged to be powered from a trailing roller.
Main roller will be from a round baler, to which I'll weld either 5/8 round shaft 1.5" long, OR 5/16 x 1.5" abrasive resistant flat. I'm concerned about the wear on these, and don't want to have to either build them up with hardsurfacing or have to rebuild the roller in a year or two. The flat would also make the unit work best as a verticutter I think, so I wouldn't destroy existing lawn when I wanted to overseed.
The main roller itself will keep the unit from digging too deeply.
The rear roller will be smooth or might have bars welded lengthwise on it for traction and just to pack seeds down. The rear roller could be easily detachable if I just want to power rake.
OK guys, what am I missing? See any fatal flaws or things I could improve on?
I've searched this forum and have seen pulverizers that folks have built, but not seen anything like this........
THANKS.
Ron
After searching for the best tool for what I want, I've almost decided I will build my own. Mostly this is due to the cost to purchase what I would like, and the lack of what I think would be all the features I want.
I want the benefits of the following:
Fescue seed planting & overseeding. Many high quality tools here: Super Turf Renovator, Ferguson Yardmaster, and others that utilize a vertical cutter. Downside of all is cost. Turf renovator's spikes appear to break off when they contact stuff, and in our clay, it would likely just poke holes in the dirt, rather than work it up.
Power rake to prep the ground. Love the Woods Power Rake and similar, but wow, the cost. And with only 22 HP, I'm on the way low side to properly handle them and currently lack the remote hydraulics.
Pulverizer, again to prep the soil. Like the looks of many of them, and could add a seed box to several to make it a seeder.
Here's what I'm planning. Feel free to add comments and suggestions. This will not be a quick project for me, but I promise to post pics when I get it going. Around here, many people overseed their lawns almost yearly, so I can keep it busy once I build it.
So, here's what it will look like:
Will be 5ft wide, with ability to angle 15* left or right as a power rake. With the angle, it will be more aggressive in the soil.
Will be PTO driven, with a rototiller type gearbox, including a slip clutch.
Will have seed boxes, most likely three 24inch drop seeder type rigged to be powered from a trailing roller.
Main roller will be from a round baler, to which I'll weld either 5/8 round shaft 1.5" long, OR 5/16 x 1.5" abrasive resistant flat. I'm concerned about the wear on these, and don't want to have to either build them up with hardsurfacing or have to rebuild the roller in a year or two. The flat would also make the unit work best as a verticutter I think, so I wouldn't destroy existing lawn when I wanted to overseed.
The main roller itself will keep the unit from digging too deeply.
The rear roller will be smooth or might have bars welded lengthwise on it for traction and just to pack seeds down. The rear roller could be easily detachable if I just want to power rake.
OK guys, what am I missing? See any fatal flaws or things I could improve on?
I've searched this forum and have seen pulverizers that folks have built, but not seen anything like this........
THANKS.
Ron
