Which implement for weed knock down

[Retriever Believer]

What implement would be best for knocking down weeds in rocky soil. I want to knock down weeds for fire prevention. Most of the rocks in the field are softball size. I don't think a rotary mower would work. How about a flail mower? Or a disc with no weight on it. I don't need to till it in, just knock down the weeds. I have been using a hand-held string trimmer but we are talking about three acres.

 

[kenmac]

How low are you wanting to cut the weeds?

 

[anthonyv]

Maybe some sort of commercial drag screen or piece of chain link would pass over the weeds enough to knock them down & not get hung up on rocks if they are on surface. If the rocks are embedded in the soil with sharp edges will most likely hang.

 

[Russell King]

How about a large tractor powered string trimmer?

https://www.drpower.com/power-equip...MI6-LV1ruB2gIVgjuBCh290gViEAQYASABEgKZAvD_BwE


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Retriever Believer]

I would like to knock it down to about 5" max. The DR trimmer would be nice but it's not in the cards.

I was thinking about using my flail mower without the blades and letting the chains just slap the weeds. Has anyone ever used a flail mower this way?

 

[Tim Horton]

I have used 2 semi truck tires bolted together side by side and drug along with a chain like a low rent replacement for a chain drag. If the grass/weeds are particularly high or tough it may require some extra weight across the tires. About a 20 to 30 cm log about 2 meters long wired across the tires helps. It may take more than one pass from different directions to make the result you want. This bounces over rocks and other obstacles reasonably well. It may take extra seat time which is always good and the implement is cheap.

Compact tractor or UTV pulls it easily.

Works reasonably well for breaking up and spreading cow pies and horse apples also. Good luck -eh

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

What implement would be best for knocking down weeds in rocky soil. I want to knock down weeds for fire prevention. Most of the rocks in the field are softball size. I don't think a rotary mower would work. How about a flail mower? Or a disc with no weight on it. I don't need to till it in, just knock down the weeds. I have been using a hand-held string trimmer but we are talking about three acres.

Yep a flail would work the best.

 

[D2Cat]

How about a controlled burn?

 

[nickelplated5s]

I think he's in California. Burning is a no no.

 

[Retriever Believer]

Yes, no burning. I have to do whatever I am going to do while the weeds are still green.

Thanks for all your help. I'll probably do something with the flail mower.

 

[Ramos]

May be another no-no in your location but, what about chemical control using a glyphosate since you are going after them while green?

 

[D2Cat]

We've had this situation come up before. Sheepfarmer has a rental program. Contact her and determine how many head per acre required for standing grass. If shipping is too much, maybe she'll sell some so you'll have some for next year. Or YOU can rent them to your neighbors!!

 

[Forvols]

May want to look into a sprayer setup and weed killer.

 

[winesalot]

2-4-D is your best friend. (2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid)

Will kill the weeds and leave the grasses.

 

[sheepfarmer]

D2 is actually serious about everything except it being MY sheep See if there is someone in your area rotating a group of sheep around. Portable electric fence, a tub of water and about 15 sheep for a week or so would take care of your grass and weeds until it rains again. Or 2 sheep of your own year round, but you'd have to feed hay part of the year.

 

[skeets]

Shoot they would probably bust him for methane exhaust contributing to global warming, or waste run off, or animal cruelty, because they are penned up and not able to run free, or noise pollination from the bawling of the sheep.

 

[Russell King]

There are propane burners that can be used to kill weeds they are effective but slow. Weed Dragon is one brand (Yes I think their name needs to be changed!)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk