Types of grass and fodder cutting equipment
- Handheld & backpack brush cutters: Petrol engine-powered units (2-stroke or 4-stroke) fitted with rotating steel blades or nylon cords for field grass and fodder cutting.
- Tractor-operated rotary slashers: Heavy-duty PTO-driven rotary mowers for clearing thick wild grass, cotton stalks, and green manure across large acreages.
- Chaff cutters (kutti machine): Stationary electric or engine-driven machines with rotating flywheels and feed rollers that chop harvested fodder into fine digestive sizes for dairy cattle.
- Self-propelled walk-behind mowers: Compact wheeled mowers for precision weeding and mowing in commercial fruit orchards.
Blade selection and cutting applications
For harvesting dense green fodder like hybrid Napier, berseem, and sorghum, use a 2-tooth or 3-tooth heavy-duty steel blade that cuts cleanly at the base without lodging. For clearing tough weed scrub, lantana, and woody stalks, use a 40 to 80-tooth tungsten carbide-tipped (TCT) circular saw blade. Use flexible nylon trimmer lines around stony bunds and tree trunks to prevent blade damage.
Safety protocols and SMAM machinery subsidies
- Always wear safety eye goggles, heavy boots, full-length trousers, and gloves during brush cutter operation to protect against flying pebbles.
- Clean the air filter and check 2T oil-fuel mixing ratios (for 2-stroke engines) to prevent engine seizure.
- Certified grass and brush cutters qualify for 40% to 50% purchase subsidies under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) on agrimachinery.nic.in.
Official source
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Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What type of machine is best for harvesting green cattle fodder on small farms?
A 4-stroke backpack petrol brush cutter fitted with a 3-tooth steel blade provides an efficient, portable solution with low vibration and pure petrol convenience.
Why is a nylon trimmer line preferred around orchard trees?
Nylon trimmer lines cut soft grass cleanly without cutting into tree bark or chipping if they strike hidden irrigation pipes or stones.
How can farmers apply for government subsidies on grass cutting machines?
By registering online on the national SMAM portal (agrimachinery.nic.in) or their state agriculture mechanization DBT portal.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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