Rotovator Required. Advice From The Knowledgable

[Norman Verona]

I need a rotovator in order to get HM busy on a veggie garden (and then a garden).

I've searched on the bay and have made some offers on stuff with less than 6 hours to go and which are on my way to Sheffield in 2 weeks time.

However, as I know less about rotovators than open heart surgery is there anything I should be aware of?

(All 4 are below £100)

[sweet orange]

In my experience the best thing to do is buy one with a honda engine. I brought one second hand ex hire machine (5.5hp)around £200 a couple of years ago.... and touch wood its been ok.

If you are rotovating last years veg plot it will be fine, but if you intend to work on virgin ground then this type would not work, just end up bouncing around.

Think that you only use one a couple of times a year, so maybe if there is a hire centre near by, just get one for the weekend.

Picked up a bag of Pink Fir Apple seed potatoes yesterday ready for action.

Good luck and watch the back.

Any back problems call Uttoxeter Chiropractic Clinic. 01889 567896

[Norman Verona]

My sweetness, it is virgin ground and there aren't hire shops for rotovators in France. I have put a bid in for a large heavy thing - it'll be OK with our ground, Anyway, after the veggie plot I want her to make a garden. We do have 10 acres so it could be good - if I can get her going!

[pistonbroke]

I had 4 acres

My dentist sorted things for me

[Vinny's Westie]

My sweetness, it is virgin ground and there aren't hire shops for rotovators in France. I have put a bid in for a large heavy thing - it'll be OK with our ground, Anyway, after the veggie plot I want her to make a garden. We do have 10 acres so it could be good - if I can get her going!

Are you talking about getting SWMBO going or the rotovator!!! I found you need to be able to hold on and force the blade into the ground and then its not too bad, make sure the rear guide is in good condition as that is quite crucial in making it work properly, or so I found.

Edited April 13, 2012 by Vinny's Westie

[Norman Verona]

I'm sure I can get the rotovator going, It's HM doing gardening that's going to be difficult. I wont do it, cutting grass with my 2 tractors (one full size and 1 ride on) strimming the edges and hacking the undergrowthe every 4 years is about my limit.

I can get her going on most other things though.....

[peterg]

Norman, can you not get a rotavator attachment for the big tractor and use that?

I'll give Lynne a hand with the garden when I'm over so long as you keep me supplied with drink

[Norman Verona]

I looked into that. Cheapest was about £650!

I'm after one for £100 and has had no bids so far. He's waiting for to bid and it's mine.

[Norman Verona]

Bought this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220995629063&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:GB:1120#ht_500wt_949

Paid £100. Looks good, lets hope it's as it says.

[jeff oakley]

That looks good value. If it is hard ground take the two outer rotors off it is slower as you are doing halve as much, but easier to stop it leeping out of the hole. My dad had a merry tiller which I had to use as a young boy. If you hold it back and get it digging in to say a foot deep then just edge it forward a bit at a time. Once you have broken the hard top, then fit all four rotors and do it again.

[Norman Verona]

Jeff, thanks for the advice. Never used anything like this before.

I'll have to get advice on how to grow veg now. I think that we may be able to grow 2 crops a year (the farmers do) so we wont have to store huge amounts of veg.

Then I'll start her on a garden. Got plans to build paths and plots using the 200 ton of stone I dug out of the barn floor. Could be good if I build a few stone walls as well. Got a nice plot of land next to the pond.

[ajpearson]

Looks a good bargain there you have brought.

Growing Veg is easy, when I lived with my mum, we used to be self sufficent for the vast majority of the year for all fruit and veg that we needed. Its just really a case of making sure you are buying the right seeds at the right time, and with the use of a greenhouse or poly tunnel will extend the season

[Norman Verona]

Will need a poly tunnel otherwise the stuff will get eaten by the ducks that visit.

[s2rrr]

Norm you'll be needing a shotgun as well then, if you haven't already. Duck a l'orange mmmmmm. Crispy Peking duck with hoisin sauce even better and some of that cucumber you will have grown in the polly tunnel blasted full of holes.

Bob :d

[rednick]

that looks like a reasonable enough tiller, useful for already worked ground but i think you will find it won`t be heavy or powerful enough for virgin ground,would be better if you could at least plough the land over first