Woods "Turf Renovator"

[Indydirtfarmer]

Woods \"Turf Renovator\"

I've been considering purchasing a 6' Woods Turf Renovator. I have several acres of pasture to re-seed initially. I can rent a simular unit, but a weeks rent is close to 30% of the purchase price. In the next few years, I will be renting it at least 3 more times. Why pay for someone elses seeder when I can be paying for my own.

It is, for anyone unfamiliar with it, a ground driven, 3 point hitch mounted power seeder of sorts. I have used one on a previous job, and was most pleased with it. My question(s) are, 1.) does anyone have one of their own? 2.) How well does it hold up? 3.) does anyone know of a simular product from another manufacturer?

I'm buying SOMETHING in the next 3-4 weeks. Spring is right around the corner. I need it then, and again this fall.

Thanks in advance! John

 

[rdln]

Re: Woods \"Turf Renovator\"

Couldn't you ad no till equipment on your 750 drill and do the same or is it too cumbersome?

I know user DDT had a Land pride 4' overseeder.

Convince the Country Club to buy one, then borrow it /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

Re: Woods \"Turf Renovator\"

The 750 drill will do what I need to do, but I'm looking for "mobile".... Something that will fit on a trailer attached to the tractor. (read.... Under 8')

The club owns a Landpride 4' powerseeder that is too slow, too old, and too likely to break down while I'm using it/responsible for it.

It just seems to be a good opportunity to buy what I need, and pay for it on one job

 

[rdln]

Re: Woods \"Turf Renovator\"

I was never satisfied with the mechanics of my reguler landpride, mainly the metering cups but It is an ealry model, about '95.

If I were to buy another one it would be a Brillion, they do make a 6' overseeder.
I was just a little leary about the cast iron arms and such, seen too many broken pulveriser end caps.

never even looked at a woods model.

 

[Bowhunter]

Re: Woods \"Turf Renovator\"

Have you looked into Kasco Mfg? They offer a seeder as well as other landscaping and food plot implements, and they're made here in Indiana. Here's their home page. Kasco

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

Re: Woods \"Turf Renovator\"

I've looked at them, and even demo-ed an "Eco-Drill" last summer. I like the results, but the thing that leads me back to the Woods is the fact that it has about half the moving parts, and is MUCH heavier built. No-till planters take a thrashing. The fact that you're planting on un-worked, unprepared soil, you hit rocks, roots, undulations, and hard compacted spots. I'm a lttle leary of the Kasco unit for the "long haul". Unless I get a major critisizm of the Woods Turf Renovator, it's going to be the seeder of choice. Thanks for the help though. John

 

[Bowhunter]

Re: Woods \"Turf Renovator\"

I saw them advertised in a hunting magazine but have not seen their product in person. Good luck with your purchase.

 

[RonR]

Re: Woods \"Turf Renovator\"

Looking at this product I'd like to get one. Have you inquired about price? Looks like it could be pricey!


I'd like to get one for my BX2200, but the 5ft model might be more than it can lift............

I read some old posts here about this unit and it sounds like the rear roller might be an issue if you load it on a trailer (it drags, according to a post).

If you get one, pls post how you like it. THKS.
ron

 

[JackIL]

Re: Woods \"Turf Renovator\"

John,

I had the 4 foot version of the previous generation of the Super Turf Renovator. Used it on a JD 955. It works great and is built like a tank. My only complaint was that on steep sideslopes, the seed tends to slide downhill creating a non-uniform distribution. I found that I liked the results best when I made a pass or 2 first without seeding and with the front roller-spikers set at an angle for agressive operation. This really loosened up the turf. Then I reset the front angles slightly less when making the final pass with seeding.

I don't think you can go wrong. The current models also fit the IMatch quick-hitch.

JackIL

 

[kennyd]

Re: Woods \"Turf Renovator\"

My Freind owns a 5' one. It is built like a tank. He uses it to seed 5 acers of open feild and some smaller lawns. I have used it to plant 1.5 acers (and 400lbs. of seed) with my 4110 at my newly built house. It holds a 100lbs of seed, and does a great job of roughing up the soil for good penatration. Just clean it well when your done.
I definatly recomend it.

 

[RonR]

Re: Woods \"Turf Renovator\"

Any chance you guys could post some pics of this unit?

I looked at the Woods site, but the pics are not that good.

THANKS>

 

[zipp669]

Re: Woods \"Turf Renovator\"

I have a 5' one.
I love it.
The number one question is what kind of seed are you planning to put through it.
Let me know the seed and I can tell you how well it works for that seed.

 

[JackIL]

Re: Woods \"Turf Renovator\"

Here is one view of the 4 foot version. Another photo is shown in a reply.

The large black triangle is half of a Freedom Hitch coupler. It is not a part of the Woods Turf Renovator.

JackIL

 

[zipp669]

Re: Woods \"Turf Renovator\"

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If I were to buy another one it would be a Brillion, they do make a 6' overseeder.
I was just a little leary about the cast iron arms and such, seen too many broken pulveriser end caps.

I have a 5.5' brillion seeder also with a seed box & have only thrown the chain that drops the seed down thru a few time. Have not broken any arms or anything else. I seed alot of ground with it and in has gone over alot of big rocks and holds up great.
It is only for new seeding though. Would not reccomend it for overseeding.

 

[JackIL]

Re: Woods \"Turf Renovator\"

Another View of the Woods STR - 4 foot version.

JackIL

 

[RonR]

Re: Woods \"Turf Renovator\"

Thanks for the pic.

One question I have is do the seeds just fall from under the seed box to the ground or do they have tubes they fall through like a grain drill?

Around here, the wind blows like stink, and it could affect your seed pattern.

I'd be planting only fescue in one I bought.

THANKS!

ron

 

[JackIL]

Re: Woods \"Turf Renovator\"

No seed tubes. Seeds just flow down the inclined plate. On the new version of the STR (mine is the previous version), there is a cover over this slide so I don't think that wind would affect it as much.

JackIL

 

[zipp669]

Re: Woods \"Turf Renovator\"

Just falls onto the rollers.
I have had no problem with mine at all.
I think mine is a 4' not a 5'.
Like those freedom hitches, I have them on every thing & it beats any other hitch out there.
I actually sell them they are so good.
But you cannot go wrong with the gill super turf renovator.
It works real well like it was said before, go over it a couple times & it works the ground up great. Also if you back up with the front rollers angled all the way it is better than a field cult or a garden tiller for prepping a seedbed.

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

Re: Woods \"Turf Renovator\"

I have the opportunity to buy a slightly used 6' model from a rental service near here. It has seded about 5 acres total, in the 2 years they've had it. They have 2 of them, and just don't rent them often enough to justify having 2. I can buy it for $1800. That's less than half of the new price. I can take my pick of the 2 they have.

As far as lifting it high enough to clear when loading it, I'll be using it on a Deere 2440. (60 HP cat. II 3 point) I have used the Woods seeder on it before. I can raise it more than 2 feet off the ground. No trouble at all when loading it on my trailer. This tractor will raise a 2400 lb bush hog without so much as a whimper, so I envision no troubles. John

 

[RonR]

Re: Woods \"Turf Renovator\"

Sounds like you have a winner and should go for it.

I've not looked at the prices (new), but it sure sounds steep for the amount of time I would use it. I might look and see if I can rent one, rather than buying one. I am starting a side biz and around here, planting grass can keep ya busy.

Thanks.
Ron