Grow Your Own Magazine

Hi,
we are looking at getting a Honda FG500 and need advice as we have never used a rotavator before (well not one this large and for this amount of space approx. 2 hectres -5 acres).
Concerns that it doesn't have a reverse gear and working width is 960mm.
Has anyone used one? Do you think the width may be limiting? We do have at least 1 metre between vines and olives and all the space to rotovate is in open space - ie not against a border or any corners to contend with.
The soil is light, sandy consistency but with large stones as it has been unworked for 5 years or so and they have fallen off dry stone walls - also a bit of old building rubble to contend with.
Thanks
Zoe & Rob

I think for that size of land I would (subject to finances) be looking at a micro-tractor with a plough attachment. Two hectares is a lot to do by hand!

KK

If you have 1000mm between plants then 966mm is cutting it a bit fine.

I would look at the F510 or the F720 both have reverse and have a cut of 660mm. You need a bit of space to pull it side to side to break up roots and compacted bits.

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I agree with NOG's comments. Given that you have established vines and olives I think that the micro tractor idea would not suit in this case, although I have the same amount of land and I use a tractor for most cultivation work, but my crops are not perrenial.
I would definitely get one with a reverse gear, and also, make sure that whatever model you opt for has the capability of taking the vast array of accessories that you can get for rotavators - ridgers etc. These can be added as and when you need them, but you might be able to do a deal when you make the initial purchase of the rotavator.
If your soil is light and sandy as you say, the rotovator should have no difficulties in working the ground, but beware of cutting the root systems of your established vines and olives. I have no knowledge of these plants but I imagine that vines have roots fairly near the surface and spread over quite an area.

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Not familiar with the Honda range, but can state from experience with Howard and Merry Tiller that large stones are a real hazard for a number of reasons.

1. Break or bend fast spinning tines.
2. Damage you as they are ejected at speed. Shins!
3. Send machine off in wrong direction from a stone on one side.
4. Launch machine for horizon from a centrally placed stone.
5. Damage rotovator by jamming between rotors and frame.

The last is the most serious, both my machines have a drive belt between engine and gearbox, this breaks or slips before anything else. If the machine has gear or chain direct drive you could knacker the machine.

Remove stones before rotovating, a plough attachement will find them in a safer manner and you can restore them to their place in the drystone walls.

Failing that fork it over first.

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My limited experience with rotovators says that they come with the ability to add/subtract the rotors.
My machine had 'pick times' that dealt with the stones and the 'crust' of an unworked piece of ground. A good skirt (home made, if not supplied) following the rotors will save you from shin damage.
After 'picking' then rotovating the ground I was able to work the ground in 'flip-flops' - all before H&S was in vogue.

Phreddy