Mowing PT-1430 mowing over septic

[PTWannaHave]

Hello all,

As I evaluate if the price difference between a 425 and 1430 is worth it for my needs, it dawned on me that the 1430 just might be too heavy to mow the lawn over the septic runs of the sewage system... I haven't been able to get a definite safe weight, even from my local septic installer... A search on this web site for that kind of info also did not give me further insight.

I know lawn tractors are OK, but cars are not. Also, the 1430's weight (pushing 3K lbs with a mowing deck, I think) is most likely more well distributed than a conventional CUT of the same weight. Perhaps that would make it acceptable...?

Septic system design has evolved some over the last 10-20 yrs., but our system is 30+ yrs. old (and thankfully still working). If the 1430 is too heavy for mowing over septic runs, than that is another factor to consider in the buying decision.

Thank-you in advance,

 

[MossRoad]

You live in Ontario? How far down is the field buried due to freeze and frost conditions?

If the tractor weighs 3000# that translates to 750# per tire. The surface area of the tire that is contacting the ground is probably equal to the surface area of 3 shoes of a grown man. If a 250# man can walk over your septic field without damaging it, my guess is the tractor can do it as well. :thumbsup:

That's my idiotic logic and I'm sticking to it! :laughing:

 

[woodlandfarms]

I was warned about driving a "tractor" over my leach field, then watched my septic installer drive his truck over the field. When accosted, he said the rule was don't drive a tractor, not anything about a truck.

I drive my 1850 over the field all the time. No worries. I believe, and probably wrongly, that the wider tires on the 1430 would disperse the weight even more than a conventional tractor.

Because you probably don't know how deep your field is and what it is constructed of, there is a certain amount of risk. If made to a higher standard (plastic pipe, good gravel fill, 3 feet down) you are probably in great shape.

Carl

 

[KMA]

Maybe the concern is less about a "crushing" force of a single pass, and more about how over time it may compact the soil to the point the leach field/septic system no longer operates as intended? Dunno... just an idea.

 

[flusher]

I was warned about driving a "tractor" over my leach field, then watched my septic installer drive his truck over the field. When accosted, he said the rule was don't drive a tractor, not anything about a truck.

I drive my 1850 over the field all the time. No worries. I believe, and probably wrongly, that the wider tires on the 1430 would disperse the weight even more than a conventional tractor.

Because you probably don't know how deep your field is and what it is constructed of, there is a certain amount of risk. If made to a higher standard (plastic pipe, good gravel fill, 3 feet down) you are probably in great shape.

Carl

Same here. When my septic system was installed in 2005, the contractor drove his Cat backhoe all over the leach field backfilling trenches and leveling. No problems yet with the septic system.

 

[SELKIRK]

I've had no problems mowing (5 years) over my two septic systems with my 1430. One septic system is over 35 years old, and the other one is shallow one with almost pure sand over it. Also I go over a 3" thin wall grease trap line that only about 12-18" below grade.

In addition my 3/4 PVC water lines have never been a problem, most are 4-8" below grade. They run all over my place, sometimes full and sometimes empty.

Selkirk

 

[PTWannaHave]

Thank-you all for the further insight!

If I end up with a 1430, I'll most likely avoid the septic runs and cut with a lawn tractor or push mower. I'd be willing to do that to extend the life of our septic system, as I am hoping for several more years of use before replacing (or before signs of tiredness appear).

On a related 1430 vs. 425 buying influencing factors, the 60" mower (grass) must not be the same at all; there's a $1k price difference between the two!! (I was a little taken aback by that...)

Cheers,

 

[ponytug]

While there is always the concern about poorly constructed systems, and systems that have started eroding sinkholes, the general "rule" comes from not wanting to compact the soil on a leach field to in any way slow down the percolation. Out in my neck of the woods, the new zoning is for duplicate leach fields with a valve that the homeowner is supposed to switch every year.

I'm with Moss- it is unlikely that mowing over it occasionally would do much, but I personally would do a lot not to drive a tractor across the field. The downside is, as you point out, a shorter life span on a very expensive part of your home.

All the best,

Peter

Thank-you all for the further insight!

If I end up with a 1430, I'll most likely avoid the septic runs and cut with a lawn tractor or push mower. I'd be willing to do that to extend the life of our septic system, as I am hoping for several more years of use before replacing (or before signs of tiredness appear).

On a related 1430 vs. 425 buying influencing factors, the 60" mower (grass) must not be the same at all; there's a $1k price difference between the two!! (I was a little taken aback by that...)

Cheers,

 

[KentT]

Out in my neck of the woods, the new zoning is for duplicate leach fields with a valve that the homeowner is supposed to switch every year.

For my land in Tennessee, before approving the building permit, they require that the lot have two leach fields laid out, though you don't have to actually install the second one. That second one is just in case the primary field fails, that there is adequate room and percolation for the second one to be installed.

 

[American Bulldog]

I think that the septic field is most vulnerable when it is new. Once it all settles and the grass grows on it I see no problem with either of those machines. I mow over my septic field with my PT1460, with no problems.

 

[RegL]

I love my 1430 and have lots of attachments, including a the 60" finish mower. It will mow your lawn, but for the $2500 PT gets for the deck you could pick up a pretty good used commercial mower that will do the job better and faster. Use the PT for other fun stuff, I mean work.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I am personally not a fan of letting stuff grow over a leach field. Meaning choosing not to mow could be as or more damaging than mowing. Roots do one heck of a number if your system is too shallow or you allow trees and brush to grow in the area.

Carl

 

[MossRoad]

Yeah, woody plants are a no-no over or near a leach field. Grass is good! :laughing:

 

[3238dpw]

Grass roots will actually nit together and help support a machine.

For example ever drive off the lawn when wet and in to the mud. You sink like a rock even though the grass was just as wet.

 

[PTWannaHave]

RegL makes a good point about the $2500. price tag of the 1430 mower. It's another argument for purchasing a PT-425 instead, and still only have one machine that does it all.

I am aiming for one machine to maintain & store. But, sheesh! That 1430 mower is pricey!!

Similarly, the PT snowblowers are so pricey, one must consider if a high-end walk-behind (at 1/2 the price) would not do the job... (Also saves on the many frustrations I hear about PT cold weather starting...)

Thanks again for the valuable input,

 

[ponytug]

The diesels start pretty well when cold...and great if you put in the intake heater, or so I hear. (My coldest start is 32F).

But certainly buy the shoe that fits!

All the best,

Peter

 

[SpringHollow]

Quote: "(My coldest start is 32F). "

Sure rub it in - we have already been in the low 20's this year and had snow 4 or 5 times. But this weekend will be in the high 50's.

Actually, i do like Winter.

Ken

 

[American Bulldog]

Quote: "(My coldest start is 32F). "

Sure rub it in - we have already been in the low 20's this year and had snow 4 or 5 times. But this weekend will be in the high 50's.

Actually, i do like Winter.

Ken

No kidding... lol. I started my PT Sunday morning, and it was in the high twenties at the time. The Deutz was not happy about it, but it started.

 

[ponytug]

Actually, I wasn't trying to rub anything in. I happen to enjoy winter, and I miss it. Now, it does snow (a little) here. But having lived in snow belt and the Northeast, I recognize that "cold" here doesn't begin to qualify as cold in the areas that have true winter and I wanted to clarify my cold start statement.

All the best,

Peter

Quote: "(My coldest start is 32F). "

Sure rub it in - we have already been in the low 20's this year and had snow 4 or 5 times. But this weekend will be in the high 50's.

Actually, i do like Winter.

Ken

 

[MossRoad]

Actually, I wasn't trying to rub anything in. I happen to enjoy winter, and I miss it. Now, it does snow (a little) here. But having lived in snow belt and the Northeast, I recognize that "cold" here doesn't begin to qualify as cold in the areas that have true winter and I wanted to clarify my cold start statement.

All the best,

Peter

I love the cold too. The colder the better. I have been greatly disappointed with the winters here for the last 15 years. It rarely gets below zero for more than a day or two and we do not get the snowfall like we used to. I took the day off today and my wife and I went for a drive in the country. It is November 11 and I had the window down and a T-shirt on... it was 70 degrees! :confused2: