Brush Hogging over a mound system ?

NIXON · Aug 5, 2003

As I'm about to get a Kubota L 3130 . Is it adviseable to just keep mowing my septic Mound with my lawn tractor , or can I run the 3130 over it with a brush Hog ? Obviously I wouldn't mow with either machine when the ground is very wet . But then ,by the nature of a mound system it never really is dry .
Do you folks think I'd compact the soil too much with the 3130? Thanks , John

Phred · Aug 5, 2003

I stay off my septic tank and latteral lines totally with the tractor. This machine is a bit heavier than the one you use so it may be more of a problem for me. Instead I use a wheel mounted string trimmer.
I think the tank is less of a worry than the lines. But it would depend on your soil, machine weight, and depth of the system. Just better to be safe than sorry.

Fred

chrisjbell · Aug 6, 2003

I would suggest that you stay away from your septic mound with your big tractor. Not only is there the issue of compacting the lines but (at least on mine) there are a couple of caps that stick up far enough that the 'hog can strike them if it hits them at the wrong angle. This causes mucho damage to the caps (don't ask me how I know this /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif).

There was a thread a while back on this topic and another thing to be concerned about is actually having your tractor break the lid of the tank and fall in. There were some pretty interesting (funny, if it isn't your tank or equipment) pictures attached to the thread. Your L3 series is probably big enough for this to be a concern.

I use a line trimmer around my tank. My tractor is small and light enough that I do use it to cut down the brush in the leach field, but the truth is that I probably shouldn't even do that.

NIXON · Aug 6, 2003

Thanks guys for the sound advice ! And , I have already found out about hitting the clean out stacks /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
John

chrisjbell · Aug 6, 2003

<font color="blue"> I have already found out about hitting the clean out stacks </font>

Always glad to hear I'm not the only one /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif. I'd sworn off getting too close to 'em (after having to pay $$$ to get one fixed a few years back) and then hit another one this year. Was mowing in the dark and didn't realize that I was so close to the tank /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif.

The first time I could mark it up to inexperience. The second time I could only blame it on stupidity /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif...Chris

John_Mc · Aug 7, 2003

Do not drive on your septic moound with your 3130. Mound systems are not very common in some parts of the country, but are usually installed in areas where the soils are marginal or completely unacceptable for the standard leach field type system. They are more expensive to install. Usually the lines are deep enough to avoid being crushed, but you do not want to even risk compacting the soil by driving on it with anything heavier than a typical riding mower, and even with that, not when the soil is wet. Some folks here even say to use a push mower on it, but most say that's overkill.

John Mc