The Meadow Makers' Network Forum

Does anyone have experience of the scarifier/de-thatcher attachment for the BCS selfpropelled machines?
Our group (EuCAN CIC) in Dorset/Somerset is building up a collection of tools for managing the relatively small areas of grassland that we work on. So far we have a BCS flail mower ( which is excellent on young scrub but unfortunately doesn't collect the arisings), and a Rapid euro power unit with finger-bar cutter, hay turner and minibaler. BCS make a scarifier/harrow/dethatcher attachment which we would be interested in acquiring, but we would very much like to find out more about them first - has anyone got any experience of them?
Many thanks
Nigel Spring

I can't answer your Q, but would please like to know how your group are collecting equipment as this is such a key factor for the longevity of any meadow project and your ideas could be useful for other groups and individuals -- how are you organising the finance? Who owns the equipment, who pays for repairs etc etc. Thanks

All our different habitat management activities are carried out through our Community Interest Company, EuCAN - www.eucan.org.uk . We charge users for the services of our volunteer groups in Dorset and Somerset and also undertake a number of different management contracts. In addition, we sell firewood and apple juice.
We have accrued enough funds along with a loan from a local supporter to enable us to purchase the second hand Rapid Euro power unit with the baler, finger-bar cutter and hay-turner and have now purchased a flail mower attachment and a small scarifier (yet to be tested!). We hope to gradually recoup the outlay by using the kit with our volunteer groups and our contractors. We already have a number of small plots of grassland which we are responsible for and where we are trying to improve the floristic diversity by mowing for hay, sowing seed and planting plugplants. In addition we are becoming involved in projects with several local schools.

Hi Nigel!

Hope you are well & all things EuCAN are going well too.

How did you get on with a BCS scarifier? We ended up hiring a Turftec 'power rake' from Brandons at Taunton for doing some oversowing/reseeding this week. Was very hard work with raking off the thatch between passes to get bare soil.

I think the BCS power harrow unit looks great if you have the correct tractor unit to drive it (we dont). Be very interested to see how you get on as getting that precious baresoil without herbicides and dirt great machinery is hard won.

Cheers,
Rob (skinner)

Hi Nigel,

I don't have any experience of the kit but am interested in EuCAN. Working for Devon Wildlife Trust with many non farming landowners who are creating/managing meadows but need kit & appropriate people to do so. May be in touch privately to learn more about your operation, funding etc as it sounds a really good model.
Best wishes
Lynne

Many thanks Lynne.
Nigel