Commercial push mower

[jeffmazz]

I need to push mow some pretty rough terrain with some steep inclines....too steep for my tractor. I think I need a commercial mower that has an engine with pressure lubrication to operate on steep inclines without damaging the engine.

Does anyone mow with a standard mower on steep inclines with any success or should I just bite the bullet and put out the extra $$$$ for a commercial unit?

Any recommendations on commercial units would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[DmansPadge]

Is it just grass that you need to mow or is it more overgrowth, brush, tall weeds, etc? Either way... if the grades are steep I would think a pressure lube engine would be in order.

 

[jeffmazz]

Its mostly grass with some junk mixed in....blackberries and some other weeds. I don't need a brush hog or anything like that. A normal 21" pushmower will cut what needs to be cut. The ground is uneven and very steep in some areas.

 

[Joe1]

If this is a one time job then rent something that will handle it. If it's ongoing, then I'd go to a dealer that handles that kind of equipment. Not a Sears store or box store, because their sales people have limited experience, but a dealer that's been in business a long time and that handles commercial equipment. Not bashing Sears or their or anyone elses, but everytime I've gone to Sears or to the box stores, I've known more about the product than they have.

 

[shvl73]

If a push mower could handle it, would an older 2 stroke Lawnboy be an option?

 

[jeffmazz]

shvl73
An older Lawn Boy 2 stroke is a good idea. Thanks! I'm going to see if I can dig one up.

 

[om21braz]

That Lawnboy or a nice used Toro 2-stroke would be the ticket. I got tired of looking for one myself and bought a Deere JX75. It's been a good machine for the last 3 years, but still wish I'd found a Toro.

 

[jeffmazz]

om21braz,
That JD JX75 looks like a nice mower. I'm going to check into that and the Exmark Metro 21. They both seem like nice heavy duty mowers that should hold up well for my application. I've been searching for an older two stroke mower but they are very scarce. I will probably end up having to shell out the $$$$$ for either the Exmark or JD.

 

[shvl73]

If you keep watching ebay they'll turn up, if you can wait, that is. A quick check showed a couple, but local pick up only. Those Toro 2 strokes seem to be pricey, must be one heck of a mower for $600 used!

 

[jeffmazz]

That's what I found on E-Bay. They were all local pickup and of course no where near my location.

 

[shvl73]

Up in Maine there is a bargain hunters bible called, Uncle Henry's. I think it comes out weekly with tons of items. Is there anything similar in PA?

 

[jeffmazz]

"Up in Maine there is a bargain hunters bible called, Uncle Henry's. I think it comes out weekly with tons of items. Is there anything similar in PA?"

If there is I'm not aware of it. We have local bargain shopper news papers that come out weekly, but they usually have mostly cars, trucks, furniture, etc.

I still have a few months left before I need the mower so I'm going check out some local auctions. We do have a weekly paper that lists all of the Estate Auctions in my area. Surprisingly, there are quite a few every week and they usually list most of the items that will be for sale. Maybe I'll get lucky.

I noticed you're located in New Hampshire. My sister lives in Gilford. The wife and I would like to re-locate to the central part of the state but we haven't gotten motivated enough to pull the trigger. Every time we visit my sister we say "we should move up here", but talking about it and doing it are two very different things. I'll be coming up in February.....maybe this trip will be the motivator.

 

[shvl73]

Gilford is a nice area. The lakes region can be pricey though.
If you keep checking e-bay and see something in New England, maybe I could check it out. I'll be headed down I-81 sometime this spring.

 

[jeffmazz]

Appreciate it Torin. I'll keep looking. If I find something interesting I'll give you a shout.

Thanks again.

Jeff

 

[BTDT]

Roundup in a pump up sprayer. Re-apply as needed. (Vinegar will be more eco-friendly).

 

[BTDT]

I need to push mow some pretty rough terrain with some steep inclines....too steep for my tractor. I think I need a commercial mower that has an engine with pressure lubrication to operate on steep inclines without damaging the engine.

Does anyone mow with a standard mower on steep inclines with any success or should I just bite the bullet and put out the extra $$$$ for a commercial unit?

Any recommendations on commercial units would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeff

It's too steep for your tractor and you want to "push" mow it? Does not compute. That seems kind of dangerous. Any pics of area?

 

[lopezian]

You mention that the terrain is rough and that you have some blackberries as well as grass. Therefore I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the DR field and brush mowers from country home products or the billygoat mowers.

I have had a 17 hp DR mower for 6 years and I love it. It is self propelled and will go just about anywhere. If you mowing an incline you might appreciate having a serious self propelled mower.

 

[jeffmazz]

It's too steep for your tractor and you want to "push" mow it? Does not compute. That seems kind of dangerous. Any pics of area?

BTDT, I know it doesn't seem to make sense but I cut with a BX22 Kubota (60" deck) and it doesn't like steep inclines. The area can be safely push mowed. The other problem is some of the area is too wet for the Kubota to make it through without making a big mess.

 

[jeffmazz]

You mention that the terrain is rough and that you have some blackberries as well as grass. Therefore I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the DR field and brush mowers from country home products or the billygoat mowers.

I have had a 17 hp DR mower for 6 years and I love it. It is self propelled and will go just about anywhere. If you mowing an incline you might appreciate having a serious self propelled mower.

Funny you should mention that, I just recieved info. in the mail on the DR Brush Mower. Looks like a nice machine. I am seriously considering the 13 HP model.

 

[GregE]

After toying with getting the DR Brush mower for the past 10 years or so, I finally pulled the trigger. I went to a local dealer and he had two on the floor which he had since last year. Therefore he had last year prices. I had saved up the $2700.00 plus dollars for the 17 HP model. When I saw $2,549.00 for one, I couldn't buy it fast enough. Unfortunately, we still have a fair amount of snow on the ground, so I haven't had a chance to use it. I have started it to get it on and off the truck and into the garage. It is built like a tank, and you can feel the power.

I have ten acres with about six in timber. I bought the unit to help with clearing paths, as after the past two years I have been working with a chain saw and gas hedge clipper. There are a lot of brambles and small trees that I want to clear. Also, I have a valley which gets pretty wet in the spring, so I didn't want to take my tractor into the area.

Can't wait to finally put it to use. Two years ago I almost bought a Swisher weed mower, but it just didn't seem to be that well built. The DR is definetely more substantial. In defense of the Swisher though I must admit it was a lower horsepower model than the DR I purchased. When I get a chance to put it through its paces, I'll report back.