Whether creating a new outdoor space from scratch, or improving and maintaining an existing one, using the right tools is key. These are Farm Tech Supplies’ top five picks for the busy landscaper.
Rotovators
Perfect for landscapers, rotovators break up soil to get the ground ready for new plants. Rotovators come in an extensive range of sizes for every compact tractor. Multiple left- and right-handed blades along the blade rotor rotovate the soil, while the rear flap levels out the soil behind the blades. Some models can be offset, to reach more difficult areas. Clay or boggy soil can clog the blades, so it is a good idea to let the soil dry out a bit, but not too much, as solid, dry earth will be more difficult to break up. Particularly compacted soil will get the best results from one slow or multiple passes over. Once the soil is loosened, water will drain more easily and the sun will warm the soil more quickly, meaning that new growth can be healthy and vigorous. Rotovators give the great result of aerated soil to promote new growth.
Post Hole Borers
As the name suggests, post hole borers are ideal for drilling holes in the ground for posts on which to base structures such as fences, pergolas and summer houses. The borers have a reinforced frame and a heavy-duty gearbox, powered by a PTO connection to the tractor. The gearbox spins the auger, which comes in a range of sizes, and can drill down to 3ft deep. These machines are easily transportable, as they attach to the three-point linkage of the tractor. Another advantage is that the auger tip and blades are replaceable, so if one of these breaks, the whole auger does not need to be replaced, which saves a lot of money. Post hole borers make it easy to repair and build fences, as well as other structures, to be as robust as possible.
Ripper & Pipe Layers
Ripper & pipe layers are perfect for laying flexible water pipes and cable to put in a water feature, or to bring electricity to an area some distance from the main supply. They have a fantastically simple but robust design, with a solid frame attaching to the three-point linkage. On the outside of the frame is a metal tube, which directs the pipe and cable into the crevice in the ground created by the plough-like blade positioned underneath the linkage. This implement allows you to lay cable or piping without needing a backhoe to dig out the hole, saving money on a hired backhoe, as well as the effort of burying the pipe and re-turfing the ground. Ripper & pipe layers give the best result, with minimum damage to the turf and for excellent value.
Tipping Transport Boxes
Tipping transport boxes are perfect for moving a range of landscaping materials, such as rocks, logs or gravel, over land. These transport boxes can be fitted to the three-point linkage of most compact tractors. The front panel can be removed, and the front scoop used to back into a pile of material for easier loading, and a manual lever by the linkage can be pulled to tip the load out when the desired destination has been reached. The empty transport box can then be manually returned to its horizontal position. Tipping transport boxes are highly manoeuvrable so they can go anywhere the tractor is capable of going. They are also extremely easy to load and unload, saving on time and effort.
Hedge Trimmers
Perfect for more delicate hedge work, hedge trimmers can be used with ease by landscapers. The tooth-like blades on a hedge trimmer are set onto a cutting bar which uses a sawing motion to remove offshoots. The manoeuvrable arm and tilting cutting bar are easily controlled with levers on a panel to reach the top and sides of almost any hedge. There is also an option on which the cutting head travels in line with the tractor, so it is visible to the driver without getting a crick in their neck. Hedge trimmers have their own hydraulics system which run through the PTO of the tractor. These machines are best used during the winter, outside of nesting season, which falls between March and October. Due to the more delicate sawing action of the blades, compared to flail style hedge cutters, hedge trimmers do not rip branches so they give a more aesthetic result. The blades are also less likely to create high speed projectiles from the trimmings, so hedge trimmers offer greater safety. The result is beautifully trimmed hedges, with less risk to the operator.
