Best machine for mowing 30 degree slope?

[rlphoto]

Hello all, I am looking for a solution for mowing 400ft by 30ft of roadside bank that runs in front of my home. The bank averages 30 degrees or less in slope. I am sick and tired of weedeating and most of the time I just let it grow which looks bad.

I would really like to mow sideways, and I was thinking about a gravely with a cutter bar till I found out that one cannot engage just one wheel only to help steer the thing. And some models have no brakes.

Any idea what I should do here?

Thanks!

Randy

 

[thatguy]

that is quite a large bank to mow.. I know I weed-eated my roadside bank (400x up to 7' tall) ONCE - and that was enough for me.. (Another lesson learned.. No matter how carefule you are to stay away from poison oak - weed-eater juice gets all over everything, especially a sleeve used to wipe your face).. what about a push mower?

What about planting some sort of perenial flowers? Or something that wont take a lot of upkeep..

Good luck..

Brian

 

[rlphoto]

that is quite a large bank to mow.. I know I weed-eated my roadside bank (400x up to 7' tall) ONCE - and that was enough for me.. (Another lesson learned.. No matter how carefule you are to stay away from poison oak - weed-eater juice gets all over everything, especially a sleeve used to wipe your face).. what about a push mower?

What about planting some sort of perenial flowers? Or something that wont take a lot of upkeep..

Good luck..

Brian

Hello, yes it is quite a bank. Township mows it off for me in the fall when they do all the back roads.

I was thinking about a troybilt sickle mower. Light weight and easy to control.

 

[krislu]

I was thinking about a gravely with a cutter bar till I found out that one cannot engage just one wheel only to help steer the thing. And some models have no brakes.

Randy

What do you mean ? - Kris

 

[DieselPower]

Sounds like a job for a TSM class PT slope mower. It can handle up to a 40 deg slope. TSM Class

 

[DieselPower]

Sounds like a job for a Power Trac TSM class slope mower. They can handle up to a 40 degree slope. TSM Class

 

[rlphoto]

What do you mean ? - Kris

I was looking at buying a 1963 model L convertible and the guy told me there was no brakes and you could not not run one wheel at a time. Is this not true? I would really like to have a gravely.

Also that TSM mower looks great but I bet it costs as much as my house! Pretty cool though.



Randy

 

[PBinWA]

Eastman industries makes a Hover Mower:

Eastman Industries :: HoverMower :: Eastman Commerical

 

[rlphoto]

Eastman industries makes a Hover Mower:

Eastman Industries :: HoverMower :: Eastman Commerical

That looks pretty cool, problem is I wont mow the bank often enough to keep the grass down enough to allow this thing to work right. I pretty much need a bushhog or a cutter bar type I believe. One thing I need to mention is my budget for this machine is around $500. I would like to have a BSC but I could not justify the money. Maybe I could go a little more $$ for something decent. I live in southwestern PA and could drive 150-200 miles if it was worth it. I have been watching ebay and local craigs list.

Could someone explain to me how the older gravelys operate? Like steer? and brakes?

I appriciate all the suggestions. Thanks!


Randy

 

[krislu]

Randy- The Gravely 2 wheelers DO NOT have brakes like a car. The older "L" models do not have brakes at all. The "pro" machines (some of them) have an optional steering brake. it works like a skid steer. It is great for turning the machine on a dime. Turns it into a zero turn. You could use it to help hold the tractor on a hill. The older "L" model is better for hill/slope mowing than the "pro" even with the steering brake here's why; The "L" model has an oil pump to lube the engine and tranny. The "pro" model does not have an oil pump. It is splash lubed. On a slope the engine does not get oil and if you run a long distance you can cease the engine. I always tell people to mow up and down a hill with the "pro" model and not across it. With the "L" model it does not make a difference. Gravely has axle extensions and dual wheels which do wonders on a hill. For $500 you will not get a "pro" model with a steering brake anyway, but you can get an "L". - Kris

In these photos are My "pro 12" with the steering brake.

Here is my "L" model with dual wheels.

If you look in the middle you will see the tractor with axle extensions and a sickle bar. You could also add dual wheels as well.

 

[rlphoto]

Thanks Kris, that was really informative. the attachments where quite interesting to look at. I did not see a backhoe though. I would like to see a picture of one. I bet a backhoe is really rare.

I am looking at a LI with a 30" bushhog for $200. The guy says he took the carb apart the clean it and lost a spring and never got around to finding one. How hard are carb parts to find for an LI?

Anyway when the wheels are engaged in an older model, is there a differential? or are both wheels locked together?

Thanks!

Randy

 

[oldmech]

Riphoto. I have a sideway with 30% + slope. If Grass you can mow with a LAWNBOY Push mower and two cables. You always stay and walk at the top with cables and the mower move more down you loose de cables for one range more go and back etc. The city mens use this way too.
Good Luck Oldmech.

 

[krislu]

Thanks Kris, that was really informative. the attachments where quite interesting to look at. I did not see a backhoe though. I would like to see a picture of one. I bet a backhoe is really rare.

I am looking at a LI with a 30" bushhog for $200. The guy says he took the carb apart the clean it and lost a spring and never got around to finding one. How hard are carb parts to find for an LI?

Anyway when the wheels are engaged in an older model, is there a differential? or are both wheels locked together?

Thanks!

Randy

Randy-
Carb parts are easy to find. There is Mark Bricker at the Gravely tractor museum and Antrams and richard's lawn and garden. You can still buy that carbarator new by the way, if you had to. The tranny is a differential.

- Kris

 

[rlphoto]

My new Gravely. A little more than I wanted to spend but sounds like it is ready to go.


Gravely 7.6 Super Convertible Tractor with Attachments - (item 130138050831 end time Jul-28-07 05:53:31 PDT)

 

[Grrrr]

Looks like a tough little machine. Hope it works well for it's new job

 

[krislu]

My new Gravely. A little more than I wanted to spend but sounds like it is ready to go.


Gravely 7.6 Super Convertible Tractor with Attachments - (item 130138050831 end time Jul-28-07 05:53:31 PDT)

Congrats Randy! It's a C8 7.6hp electric start. The chain guard on the 30" rotary was an option. Between the sickle bar and 30" you should be set. The 30" takes a big 3/8 thick knife blade for rough stuff/ land clearing or for mowing lawns a twin blade set that does a nice job. I see it has new power trac tires.The steering sulky is the better of the two sulkies Gravely offered imho. If everything is in good shape your good to go. Let us know when you get it home and fire it how you like it. - Kris

 

[rlphoto]

Congrats Randy! It's a C8 7.6hp electric start. The chain guard on the 30" rotary was an option. Between the sickle bar and 30" you should be set. The 30" takes a big 3/8 thick knife blade for rough stuff/ land clearing or for mowing lawns a twin blade set that does a nice job. I see it has new power trac tires.The steering sulky is the better of the two sulkies Gravely offered imho. If everything is in good shape your good to go. Let us know when you get it home and fire it how you like it. - Kris

Hi Kris, so how did you know it was a C8? That has 8 speeds right? Is there any other info about this model that I should know?

Another thing, it looks like it is due for some paint. You or anybody else know the paint numbers for Sherwin Williams?

Thanks for all the info! I appreciate it.

 

[krislu]

Hi Kris, so how did you know it was a C8? That has 8 speeds right? Is there any other info about this model that I should know?

Another thing, it looks like it is due for some paint. You or anybody else know the paint numbers for Sherwin Williams?

Thanks for all the info! I appreciate it.

Randy-
Model "L" is the model designation Gravely used for their two wheel tractor from 1936 to 1966. They had 5 hp engines til 1955. The engine was up rated to 6.6hp in '55 and continued til 1966. In '67 the engine was up rated to 7.6 hp and for marketing purposes the tractor was now known as a Custom or super convertible (difference is the super is electric start) the old model "L" designation was dropped and the tractor designation became model "C". The convertible 7.6 hp remained in production through 1976. Mechanically the models "L" and "C" are identical so alot of people refer to the "C" as an "L" model even though Gravely dropped that designation in '67. The eight speed machines known as the "L8/C8" are easy to identify by the small handle on the right side of the tractor under the right handlebar. it looks like the forward/reverse and hi/low handles. The speeds were:

Model "L"/"C" 4 mph ( standard )

Model "LI/CI" 3 mph ("I" means intermediate. )

Model "LS/CS" 2 mph ( "S" means slow )

Model "L8/C8" swiftamatic two speed differential in high range 4 mph and in low range 2 mph. (It gives you all the speed ranges of the other models.)

I don't know the number for Sherwin Williams but alot of people use Van Sickle paint:
Industrial Enamel Custom Match Colors

If you know the model numbers you can look up the year of manufacturer here:
Gravely - Commercial Grade Lawnmowers Including Zero Turns, Walk Behinds, and More

The numbers are on the tractor either by the gas tank or on the advanced (front) castings where you bolt on the attachments. (on the side). If your machine does not come with a manual or parts list you can download them for free here:
OldGravelys.Net: :


Good Luck
- Kris

 

[rlphoto]

Kris I appreciate all the help. Couple more questions, Will all attachments interchange regardless of year and type? I realize the pro models might differ, but I am talking about the L and C.

For instance I am looking at this tiller.

Gravely Two Wheel Rotary Cultivator Rototiller w/ Drive - (item 190134456359 end time Jul-29-07 19:28:48 PDT)

 

[krislu]

Randy- Yes all of the attachments will mount up to any 2 wheel tractor INCLUDING the pro models. All of the older attachments that were meant for the L/C will mount to the pro machines and vice versa but (and you knew there would be a but) some of the attachments that were made for the pro are to much for the L/C tractor ( the L/C is not powerful enough to run them) Example: the L/C machine can only handle up to a 40" mowing deck. The pro machine takes 50 and 60" decks. The rotary cultivator you are looking at on e-bay is a newer style one that was meant for the pro tractors. The L/C will have no problem powering it but you will need a quick hitch to attach it to the L/C. No big deal really but you have the added expense of a quick hitch. Here is an older style one the was meant for the L/C tractor.

GRAVELY Walk Behind Tractor Cultivator - (item 230156007305 end time Aug-02-07 17:45:00 PDT)

Most people think the older stuff was made better.

- Kris