[vhgmcbuddy]

Yes I am looking purely for budget reasons. A full size tractor would be perfect but out of my budget. Its not possible to ask anyone to help around here. I have fallen out with most of the neighbours over a planning application, but thats another story.

At the moment I used a manual Scythe, so anything powered would be a huge step up.

[vhgmcbuddy]

There is always another way to go, that is to get a contractor in who knows what he is doing. Get it baled in small bales, then Waite till late winter, when the hay prices go up, then off load your hay to the highest bidder. That way there will be no aching limbs, no blisters on your hands.
But a large limp coursed by the weight of bank notes in your pocket!

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thanks for that. Are you sure they all had Briggs engines. This one here has a GX200 engine:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304399184448

It looks in nice condition, so tempted to make an offer. What do you think? Trouble is I don’t see any Scythe attachments for sale at the moment.

[vhgmcbuddy]

I understand what you say, but am very reluctant to sell any land. At my previous place, I used a manual scythe to cut a field which took forever. So a powered machine would be a huge step forward. What about something more modern like a Wolseley merry tiller titan?

There is no way I could ever stretch to something like a BCS 740. At that sort of price I could get a full tractor, such as a really nice Massey Ferguson 135 with attachments. The BCS equipment looks nice, but its just not worth it for me. If looking for something newer, are there any good Chinese clones that are worth considering?

• This reply was modified 4 years, 7 months ago by .

[vhgmcbuddy]

I just discovered the Merry Tiller Titan and it looks like a good option for me. It seems that all models after 1978 had reverse. Which engine do you recommend with these?

I have also been looking at the GT and Professional, but they seem very rare used and not sure if you can get a scythe attachment for them?

Its good that you say spare parts are easily available for the Titan. Any idea if you can get replacement scythe blades? I have looked but cant see anything.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Dear Sir,
I have seen your questions, and seen the answers, some I may add quite enlightened.
I have a few questions for you, firstly you say you have 10 acres to cut, but you dont have a large budget, most small parcels of land now a days make £10,000 an acre, and with your 10 acres you should still be large enough to get your single farm payment.

Its always good to reminisce about what vintage machines can do, I am old enough to have worked with Allen scythes commercially, in their day they were good, but what you are asking for is in short nothing but trouble, you need a more modern machine.

This is the way I would go, and the reasons
Firstly and most importantly hay is a crop, you have to know the best time to harvest, from cutting to collecting you have to get it right, or you will end up with a crop that no one wants. If baling always bale small bales they make the best price.
As Wristpin suggests you need the two wheel BCS 740 tractor, this will have all the implements you require, to include a mini baler. They are not cheap a whole set up could knock you back £12,000, if you cannot afford the budget, then sell an acre of land!
I run a fleet of 3 BCS 740’s and swear by them, I also crop hay commercially
Hope this helps

[vhgmcbuddy]

As far as I know the 350 ( and the earlier 300 and later 352) was always a stand alone cultivator and not a multi purpose tool carrier.

[vhgmcbuddy]

From my research, the Oxford Allen had the option of a plough attachment which would meet my needs. Problem is I have never seen one for sale, they seem to be pretty rare.

I have not been able to find out much on the Howards, other than what you say that the Bantam had a Scythe attachment. So it looks like the 350 or any of the bigger models didn’t. I also heard that the Bantam engine was not so good.

[vhgmcbuddy]

What about the Howard 350? Can you get a scythe attachment for them? I have read good reviews on the Howard 350

[vhgmcbuddy]

Many thanks Alan. Yes, that definitely sounds like our roller.

I’d often wondered what the third gear was for! 2nd gear is a very brisk walk (or, in reality hang on and try to steer!), so there’s no way that anyone could actually keep control if it was in third if on foot.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Well, you are obviously younger and more energetic than me . While we are about it, and before we get into the Robin Reliant syndrome, it’s an Allen Scythe that happened to be made in Oxford. A dear departed friend of mine used to describe the Allen Scythe and one or two other machines as ones that you worked with your flies undone; as if one was going to work like a cart horse one might as well look like one.
Anyway there’s someone on the other old mower site that’s got an Allen for sale.
That’s me done!

[vhgmcbuddy]

If it’s the two piece alloy bodied starter – Definitely a pia !
You could try making a double sided emery paper washer ( paper, cloth too thick) to go under the external nut on the centre spindle to discourage it from turning. It’s all about inertia to make the pawls move out.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Well 10 acres is not that much. According to the Oxford Allen brochure, it only takes 2 hours per acre. That is very manageable – but do they tend to over heat after a few hours?. I’m happy to put in 10 hours of work per day (have done a field with a manual Scythe before), so would have the lot done in a weekend. No way am I getting a contractor in. Time is not so much of an issue (within reason) and I enjoy working outdoors. Also bailing is not an issue, as I have a big cart that I fill loose and park in the barn. My main constraint is budget, that’s why I was looking at the older machines. But would be willing to spend about £500 on a newer used item if it would make more sense. Just interested to hear peoples opinions on the best way to go? Maybe the Oxford Allen is the best option?

[vhgmcbuddy]

10 acres, that’s an awful lot of walking! Asking a lot of a vintage machine and inviting mechanical issues just when the sun shines. A more modern version of an Allen Scythe will be a BCS or one of it’s clones that all stem from Italy or Austria where they are used for mowing Alpine pastures .
I would seriously consider getting a contractor to mow and turn it.
Once you’ve made the hay – what then , bale it? Cart it in loose? With what?
Excuse me saying so but I think that the whole job needs a re-think.
Perhaps consider trading hay for assistance from someone who has the kit.

[vhgmcbuddy]

I bought a can of owatrol oil yesterday. Supposed to be good. I’ll try it and see.

John

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