What power scythe?

chilswell

I am looking for recommendations for power Scythes for making Hay. I have a few acres of land that I want to use it on to make Hay. Unfortunately I am on a budget, so really don’t want to spend more than £500 (new or used) There are a few vintage machines, such as the Oxford Allen Scythe, but many are now more than 50 years old, so not sure if they are up to the job? Before anyone suggests it, I don’t want to pay someone else or rent a machine. I would rather buy something and do it myself. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Skandi

You'll probably be best off with a small 2 wheel tractor. something like the Grillo 52. It can take a sickle bar, but it can also rotovate or snow clear, if you find one of the larger models then you can put a lot more attachments on it, but the price may be an issue then.

A strimmer will also do just the same job. or you could use a hedge trimmer, one of the ones on a pole should do it, but it would probably be just as easy to learn to use an actual scythe.

nick615

chilswell   If you're mechanically skilled, one of the old Allen Scythes is probably the best option.  If it's lasted 50 years, you could probably keep it going (if spares are available).  If Skandi's suggestion fails on price, perhaps offering your acres to a farmer on a shared crop basis would suffice?

chilswell

Skandi said:

You'll probably be best off with a small 2 wheel tractor. something like the Grillo 52. It can take a sickle bar, but it can also rotovate or snow clear, if you find one of the larger models then you can put a lot more attachments on it, but the price may be an issue then.

The Grillo 52 may be an option if I can get a good used one, but the new price is a little out of my range.  Out of interest, where is Grillo made?  Is it a respected company with easy to find parts, or is it a Chinese import?

Also would it really be much faster than a vintage Oxford Allen, as the original brochure from the Oxford Allen says it can do an acre in 2 hours.