We've had our Opico Sward Lifter for just over four years and, despite trying other machines on the market, and keeping a close eye on new developments, we've stuck with it.

Why? Well simply because it works!

The combination of disc, blade and roller packs (as opposed to a flat or spiked full-width roller) give the best overall results, especially on heavier clays.

The main drawback that we have found is the finish it leaves behind, but in fact the finish (a slight crest either side of the slit) shows that it has done it's job properly. If you heave the ground then press it straight back down with a flat roll a lot of the benefit is lost straight away. The Guttler packs on our machine merely ease the ground back down leaving a slight crest. The crest is where the compaction has heaved and been released. After a fortnight we would flat roll if required, but by then the de-compacted ground has settled to it's looser condition and the rolling only levels the surface.

Our customers have come to recognise the long term benefits far outweigh the shorter term look of the ground.

What would I change? I would possibly go for the hydraulic reset version on a future model, but we've only broken about 15 shearbolts in the time we've had the machine, so possibly not worth the expense as we don't encounter a lot of stone locally. Otherwise I would change to the wider folding machine with 5 legs to speed the job up.

In terms of results, we have doubled hay yields on local farms simply by removing long term compaction from permanent pasture.

Would I buy another? Yes.
Would I recommend this machine? Yes.