RUSHES AND bracken are not just an eyesore, they take out valuable grazing land and can result in an area reduction with regards to the single farm payment, so the new power shredder from Quad X attracted quite a bit of attention at the recent Highland Show.

The Northern Ireland-based company used the Ingliston event to promote its latest ATV machinery, but in particular its specialist weed control equipment including weed wipers and mowers.

On show was the new, 1.3m rush power shredder, which is fitted with a double bogie axle for safe working across slopes and is claimed to handle up to five-foot tall bracken and rushes.

The mower shredder has its own power in the form of either an on-board 16hp or 18hp Briggs and Stratton engine, though Quad-X is currently offering a free upgrade to the higher horsepower model as it reckons that this is best in difficult conditions. Both engines can come with recoil or electric start (with recoil back-up).

Sean Blaney, managing director of Quad-X, commented: “We launched the new 5ft power shredder mower after it was developed in response to requests from many of our Scottish customers for an ATV-pulled mower that can deal with heavy vegetation in rough conditions.”

The machine’s features include a unique blade, rotor and deck design, which allows for optimum material flow while at the same time reducing towing resistance in really rough conditions. That said, you will still need an ATV of at least 450cc to pull it, especially as it will usually be working in rough terrain.

The shredder is priced at £3799, plus VAT, and options include a break bar to flatten down the vegetation to help guide it through the mower blades for a more effective and finer chop and is recommended for cutting heavy rushes.