Mulcher has powerful bite
With the gradual rise in horsepower of tractors being used in orchards, Power Farming NZ has introduced a duo of heavy-duty mulchers aimed at capitalising on this extra power.
With a relatively light stocking rate, topping has become a big part of the farm’s day-to-day operations, especially during spring and autumn when grass growth can shoot away on him. “There are times of the year when I’m pretty busy on the tractor.”
While many commonly top ahead of the paddock to improve pasture usage, this isn’t a concern on his farm and he tops behind cows to even out residue and allow pasture to recover quickly.
Topping after ensures pasture quality is maintained and prevents grass getting too thick. “Sometimes the sward gets too dense. If you top it a few times it puts natural nutrients back into the ground.”
He attributes most of the improved performance to the Glaber topper’s construction.
Unlike many toppers and mulching mowers using a bar and blade, the Uppercut 2700 has a round disc which takes three sharpened blades. This cuts quickly and cleanly on much of every rotation, claimed an improvement on the action of other toppers Foster has owned. “A lot of toppers are really glorified slashers with two big heavy blades on each end of a swing arm which more often than not just knock the grass down.
“The Glaber cuts like a hay mower, meaning I can go much faster and do a better job.”
Foster also gets good results in reeds and kikuyu. “I mowed an area, mostly kikuyu, and the result was clean even though the pasture came up above the mower to begin with.”
He says the design of the plate also ensures that cut grass is spread right across the paddock and not gathered up into rows.
While belt-driven toppers don’t always have the best reputation for reliability, Foster says Glaber has dealt with this by adding automatic belt tensioners next to the spindles to increase the effective lifespan of the belts.
Servicing is easy – greasing done via three grease nipples at the back of the mower.
While he hasn’t had to replace belts yet, he says getting to the spindles and belts is relatively easy as “the curved plastic cover lifts off after three hand-adjustable bolts are removed”.
The Glaber’s domed plastic cover also keeps grass from gathering on the top of the mower, something Foster says will also further extend its life. “With other toppers bits of grass tend to build up on top, which hold the water and eventually rot the deck. But nothing seems to sticks to the plastic cover.”
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