Sod Cutter

[herbenus]

A yaer ago some one posted looking for a sod cutter. Responses were few and the most helpful was go rent one. I have lots of beds to put in. I won't do them all in one weekend and don't want to "go rent one" every time I want to put in a new garden or flower bed. And I've tried loader which works for removal but does not leave sod in condition for reapplication easily.

Has anyone ever made one or bought one for attachment? I'd like to build attachment for middle buster arm or for clamping to loader. Seems like it would not be too difficult, depending on if I wanted to roll it or not, and how big a roll.

Just wondering if anyone had experience here. I saw one on a home improvement show that was manual powered (looked like a shovel with wheels). I was going to buy one when I thought I should be able to use tractor (more fun and easier on back).

Regards.

 

[Mark_in_NH]

herbenus,
Your profile doesn't include your name. Don't be bashful, nobody here bites.
Anyway. Here is a link to a website where I found a TINY discussion and some pics of a home built cutter. It might give you some ideas.
Good Luck.
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.stevenchalmers.com/Gravely/WideSodCutter/CU_Sod.shtml>http://www.stevenchalmers.com/Gravely/WideSodCutter/CU_Sod.shtml</A>

 

[herbenus]

Thanks. I was thinking something along these lines. 12-18" cut. I thought I would clamp it to my loader and either push or pull. Maybe add some guide sleds for depth control. Cut, then roll up and use loader to transport rolls where I want them. Just don't know if I'll be able to see enough with loader in the way.

And I just added my name to my profile. You're right. No one bites here. A far better experience then some of the newsgroups where perverts are allowed in. Now I just need to work on a signature. I'm listed as a new member, but actually I spent a lot of time in here a couple of years ago, and just now came back and registered.

Merry Christmas.

 

[gerard]

I checked out the link from the previous post and it looks pretty close to what I'd design if I had a need for one but if I were going to attach it to the bucket I'd use gauage wheels instead of skid shoes. A decent set of wheels would allow you to exert some pretty good down pressure with the loader which would take care of the riding up problem. (Professional models address that by vibrating the cutting blade the way vibratory wire trenchers do) I'd also make sure vertical cutting supports are sharpened so they cut more than tear. probably

 

[nuvz]

I am wondering if you wouldn't be better building a cutter for your 3 point. You could make it vibrate with the PTO by putting an angle cut shaft up agianst the cutting blade. When you drove forward, back pressure would keep the pressure on the shaft and make it move. You also could change the angle of attack with the top link.

 

[gws]

Your going to need to put in a LOT!!! of flower beds to cost justify buying a sod cutter. Retal still seems to be the most cost effective solution.

Now if your a commerical outfit that does a lot of bed, maybe , personal use? No.

 

[herbenus]

My other thought had been to make one that bolts onto middle buster (with plow removed). I might have better control that way. Vibrating idea is interesting.

Regards.

 

[Taylortractornut]

Ihave been planning to make a new sod cutter myself. I made a test sod cutter last year it worked well but it was stolen off a job. Mine had 2 sod cuttin coulters on eack side to cleanly cut the sod and a thin planere blade and 1/4 inch by 3 mould board to act as a cutting edge, a lift to the sod. i had a seperate roller to go on the front of my backhoe that was made from car spindles. they could be combined on the same hitch for a bigger tractor. the roller wrapped thesod around a pipe so i could drop it when it was full then i could pick it up with a chain ut through the center of it. best regaurds Taylor

 

[3jd318]

i BUILT ONE FOR JD318. hYD CONtROL BETRWEEN FRONT WHEELS. still needs some perfecting. I am thinking of converting to my 420 with loader to keep it in ground and maybe a wheel to roll on sod for depth gauge. I will take pictures when I get it out. Just built new barn and things are not accessable yet.
gp

 

[WVBill]

If you're trying to use the sod cutter to clear grass for a flower planting bed watch out. The new bed will look real nice at first, but I don't think a sod cutter will slice deep enough to get all the grass roots. In a year or so, the grass will come right back and you'll be fighting a never-ending battle weeding ("grassing") your flower bed.

I made some flower beds by peeling up the sod with my FEL and now we're fighting the battle in those gardens.

I've found the more effective way is to run the rototiller over the intended planting bed (one or two passes down about 4") and then scoop up the busted up sod and dirt with the FEL (or box scraper). Then go ahead and till/plant the flower bed.
Bottom line is that you need to get down below as much of the grass roots as possible.

The most effective way I've found is to spray the area with Roundup, wait 2 weeks and then follow the till/scoop/till method. The drawback of this method is that I seldom get 2 weeks advance notice of where my wife wants a new planting bed.