Hay King Pasture Renovator

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Im wanting to re-seed 15-20 acres. After you run the renovator, do you use a drill to get the seed in the ground, or just use a spreader?

Depends on the type of grass you want. The renovator is an aeration device that cuts the stems of hybrid bermuda grasses and invigorates growth. Most hybrid bermuda grasses need to be "jigged" to be started in new pastures. This is where you cut fresh grass tops from established pasture and spread it out on soil that's been disked or tilled. Then you cover it with a bit of dirt and pray for rain. There is a little more to it so I'd recommend you research it if you want to try it.

 

[GreenWannabe]

If anyone is interested, there is a used AerWay for sale here in Northern Alabama. I wrote down the phone number p[osted on it today when I went by, so if you want more info please PM me for the phone number. I have no further information on it myself, and have not interest in it - just want to pass the info along if someone would be interested.

 

[gabby]

Im wanting to re-seed 15-20 acres. After you run the renovator, do you use a drill to get the seed in the ground, or just use a spreader?

I broadcast seed/fertilizer mix after renovating with my Hay King. Then I drag it with my patty-busting tires. I put in overseeded ryegrass this way last fall and got a good stand.

BTW, don't underestimate the HP required by a Hay King. You need about 15 HP per shank.

 

[Spindifferent]

Here are some pics of the new renovator. This is the C-4 model with 4 coulters and shanks. The C-4 weighs around 750lbs and is rock-solid.

Without any adjustments, I'm getting 4 inches deep and am able to pull it fine with the JD 3520 in 4WD. I think the limiting factor will be traction. I have an area near the septic sprinklers that is wet, and the tires lost traction with the shanks 4 inches deep in this area.

Will spend some time adjusting the coulters to see if I can get the shanks deeper in the soil that is not as wet.

One picture shows my wife driving the tractor. It was her first day in the driver's seat, and she enjoyed it as much as I do!

Spindifferent

 

[sweettractors]

Nice machine. Looks to be doing a great job. Around $1750? Did you purchase from the distributor or a local dealer? Ken Sweet

 

[EdinLa]

An update on the clover seeding/renovating success. ....The clover stand has been a huge success. I plan to shred the seed crop this week, and that should set things up for a cutting in June. Rain is still rather sporadic, but better than last spring. ...The pasture is holding moisture much better than before and coverage in the pastures is becoming more uniform. ...Expecting good returns on my efforts!

....I do want to comment on the perennial peanut comments from an earlier post of mine. ...I consider the perennial peanut a dismal failure at this point. ...It grows wonderfully in this soil and climate, but is virtually impossible to keep clean. The herbicide business has become so over regulated and profit oriented that there is no reason in pursuing it further. ..A trashy cutting certainly won't bring a premium price, and spending a small fortune on herbicides that are only marginally effective doesn't make sense either. ...Add to that the fact that since the perennial peanut is a long term established crop, herbicide applications initiate something of a laboratory environment for strains that are herbicide tolerant, and you have a real loser! The chemical companies see their survival in dealing with these threats, but what it really means is the farmer is likely going to spend any profits on more chemicals. ...A 'lose-lose' situation.

I see the perennial peanut hay business in Louisiana as a companion sham right along side the emu and chinchilla businesses. ...The only people making real money are those selling overpriced products to those starting in the business. ....I wish I had clean acreage I could sprig out at the going 7-9,000 dollars per acre, but selling the hay itself is a loosing proposition. ....I plan to till my little patch up and plant some watermelons in it next spring!

 

[IronHorseRanch]

Very nice. The photo of you pulling the renovator is a bit misleading. Your rear is tilted high so the shanks aren't very deep. I pull my 4 shank with the back section (shanks) lower than the front to bust up the soil compaction and create a deep slot for nutrients and water.

I'm sure you were accomplishing what you desired. However, If someone used this as a guide to determine the HP required to pull it, that would be a mistake. I have a 70+ HP 4wd tractor and I can bog it down with the rear shanks down low. If possible, run the renovator after a rain, the damp soil makes it much easier to pull.

Its all about what you want to accomplish. For me, I wanted to bust up compaction to promote deeper root growth and wanted the fertilizer and water down to and below the root zone.

IHR