DIY horse manure breaker-upper(er) - suggestions request

[Wagtail]

Ah HA! A Chain Harrow. That's what it's called. I like the idea of using old tyre chains, unfortunately it just doesn't snow in the majority of Australia, let alone Tasmania. supply & demand being what it is they'd be a wee bit pricy. I suppose I could cross-link with more D-shackle/chain.

Good point on transporting it between paddocks. Fortunately I have a forklift/bale spike attachment for the 300CX!

Ta.

 

[Leejohn]

If the paddock isn't super big try a 3 pt tiller set about 1" deep. What do you think, this is just off the wall.

 

[donais]

i use my arenavator i made mine myself but it looks alot like the arenavator

 

[whistlepig]

We have used this for years and it works pretty good:

Welcome to FHM Equipment LLC

 

[Wagtail]

i use my arenavator i made mine myself but it looks alot like the arenavator

It would be very interesting to see a picture of what you've created donais.

 

[Wagtail]

I've used a 2 stage snow blower to do the job nicely on dried, not frozen manure. It turns in into a powder that goes everywhere in the wind. Before that I used an old Jacobson paddle type snow blower to re-home the stuff over the fence. Also not recommended for frozen stuff. Other than the dust, these two deals worked really good in a sand lot (no grass or weeds). Most recently, I've used a trailer type of leaf vacuum attached to my JD F-935 72" front mower. This collects it up so I can take it to a pile and burn it. (Gives the neighborhood that good old burning cork smell). This method does NOT work well with fresh stuff, though. It tends to plug up the chute and hose. Once it's dry, though, sheit happens ! I'm still surprised that no one has perfected a manure burner for their home or garage. A lot of heat value in the stuff, especially horse residoo-doo.

That is a hilarious mental image. Horse poo blowin' in the wind! Or a 'fresh stuff' mortar! Unfortunately there's not much call for snowblowers in Tasmania (0% actually).

 

[Notforhire]

I have good luck using a chain harrow. It tends to level out any ruts, and loosens a little soil, if you have the tooth side down. My paddock is small, so I use a york rake to drag the manure out to the pasture. Once it's in the open I can drag the chain harrow over it.

Another method used by folks around here is to attach truck, or tractor tires together and make a drag. A friend raises cattle. He uses the tire method, says it works better than a chain harrow.

 

[Wagtail]

Another method used by folks around here is to attach truck, or tractor tires together and make a drag. A friend raises cattle. He uses the tire method, says it works better than a chain harrow.

That is an interesting concept. Instead of using old tyres to weigh it down, use them as the actual drag. How do the folks attach them together so that it securely stays together and in place? Old tyres are readily available from the 'tip' at about A$3 each and would be a great recycle project.

 

[bcp]

From:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...best-way-level-farm-ground-2.html#post2797388




From:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/89698-drag-harrow-2.html#post1011416




From:
Functional Horsemanship: Tracking - Dragging Sign Cut Areas

 

[Wagtail]

Ooooh! THIS is why TractorByNet is such a great site. Answers, like all of these suggestions (and older forums) help to stop 're-inventing the wheel'.

Good stuff.