Devon Wildlife Trust has this month lent out its brand new Pasquali low ground pressure tractor to a landowner in North Devon, the first to benefit from the addition to the charity’s machinery ring.
The tractor was purchased as part of the Working Wetlands Project to help with conservation work on environmentally sensitive sites in three target areas of the Culm measures in the north of the county.
Lesley Deadman from West Bursdon Farm near Hartland was delighted to get his hands on the specialist bit of kit that is designed to handle rough wet ground, and set up with a flair mower to tackle rush and scrub that commonly invades areas of the Culm grassland that the charity is working to protect.
He said: "It’s ideal for cutting firebreaks and paths and along fence lines to act as a deterrent against fire. It’s an extremely useful machine able to cut small areas and is really easy to manoeuvre. It’s particularly very good for reducing rushes."
The equipment adds an extra element to the already burgeoning range of kit that the charity lends out, including cattle handling units and trailers all to better enable landowners to manage their rare grasslands as easily and cheaply as possible.
Simon Berry, DWT’s Grazing Links Officer said: "The Pasquali tractor is light weight, and with the low ground pressure it is able to work in wet conditions as well as on awkward and steep slopes. We could do with another with the current demand!"
Devon Wildlife Trust’s Working Wetlands project has been supported by the Tubney Charitable Trust, South West Water, The Environment Agency, Devon County Council, Devon Waste Management, GrantScape and Natural England.
Rob Dixon from Natural England came along to see the equipment in action, he said: "This is a really useful tool to help land managers keep on top of difficult sites. Some of Devon’s most important habitats are under threat from lack of management but many farmers work hard in tough conditions to maintain these areas, many of which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest or County Wildlife Sites. This tractor is very light, and with its weight spread over four equal-sized wheels, will minimise the impact of necessary management on fragile grassland. We are already letting farmers know of its availability it’s free of charge, and this will be a valuable tool for them to use where heavier machinery is impractical."
For more information about the Pasquali tractor and how to make use of the resource, call the Working Wetlands team on 01409 221823 or email sberry@devonwildlifetrust.org
