Harvesting switchgrass seed

[Thedeerhunter]

Has anyone experimented with any creative homemade switchgrass seed harvest methods? I’ve seen various grass seed harvesters and the look like a specialized street sweeper. With the cost of seed I’m trying to harvest off a stand I already have established.

 

[Thedeerhunter]

Bump

 

[T_Max]

I took an empty milk jug once and cut a hole in the upper portion opposite the handle. I carved the bottom of the opening into teeth to trap the seed heads. I would rake the seed heads into the opening and the teeth would strip the seeds into the jug. It was imperfect, but on a small scale I had luck getting a good amount of seed.

 

[Sligh1]

I did it . Stripper head & a clauss combine. Can get a brand new of each set up for maybe a total of only $700-800k .
It was a pain so I didn’t do anymore.
Now- they make these pull behind units or these ones that go to side- any tractor & even ones for UTV…. Can pick them up for like $5k-ish. Maybe even cheaper. I’ll see if I can dig up a few examples. For personal use…. Would work great

This was view out the window… not exciting photo. The switch heads or seeds get stripped off & rest stays.

.here you go…. Guy I know got this. I think actually he paid like 3-4k for it. I think it’s a Truax but not 100% sure. Can find these super reasonably.