field mowing for fun and profit

brad_oatley · Jan 20, 2006

I'm considering mowing fields this summer, mostly for enjoyment, maybe a little profit. Around here, it wouldn't be for haying or ag purposes but for 1-20 acre open spaces that the wealthier large property owners have. It wouldn't be finish mowing but there wouldn't be much brush either. I've got a New Holland TC-35D and I'm considering a Woods MD-080 mower instead of a regular rotary cutter. Anyone have any thoughts less pleasurable aspects of what I'm thinking about (ie, reality) and does anyone have any experiences with the MD080 ? Thanks fellas
http://www.woodsequipment.com/agricultural/rotary_cutters/multi_spindle/80_belt_driven.asp

ronjhall · Jan 20, 2006

I always worry about running over that tire and wheel that someone threw in one of those field. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif The mess it can make out of a cutter will not be fun or cheap to fix. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I would want some serious money for my fun in someone else's field. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

sweettractors · Jan 20, 2006

I would tend to stay away from the belt drive mower for some of the applications you mention. No telling what could be lurking in those larger plots that only get mowed 1 or 2 times a year--Ken Sweet

andrewj · Jan 21, 2006

no way brother. all the damage i did to my tractor came from bushhogging. hidden stumps, scrap metal, yellow jacket nests, nothank you.

Farmwithjunk · Jan 21, 2006

Almost everyone that's owned a tractor and bush hog has done some mowing "on the side". If you can pick and choose your spots, it's not a bad way to make a few bucks. If you start taking on everything people throw at you, forget the fun part, and start thinking in other terms besides the PROFIT idea too.

I've had people ask me to "mow some weeds" that turns out to be nothing short of clearing wooded ground. Then there's "buried treasure". Car wheels, old bicycle frames, rocks, last weeks garbage, dead animals, tree stumps, the list goes on and on.

Our church owns 15 acres not far from the house. I mow it 3 times a year. (for free. Maybe that'll help save my pour soul /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif) It's not much more than cutting tall grass. The fellow that used to cut it (3 years ago) charged us $400. That would be decent money, not a bad job, and a fair amount of "fun".

A friend is after me to mow a strip of land he owns that is an access easement to some more ground he owns. The city has put him on notice that they'll be fining him soon if it isn't mowed. It's 55' wide, 630' long, and looks like a rain forest. He "offered" me $100 to haul 30 miles, cut the weeds, and haul home. I graciously declined the offer. Not decent money, not a good job, and MOST DEFINATELY NO FUN.

Pick your spots.

Also consider insurance, its cost, the dangers of NOT having insurance, the over-all risk to you (personally) and your equipment. The work needs to be profitable, or you're better off letting someone else have the worry. (IMHO)

scott_vt · Jan 21, 2006

Mornin Brad,
I kind of feel like the others, if you dont know whats out in the field, expect to hit something. That could cost some money as others have said. After mowing my property the last few years, you get a pretty good feel were trouble might be lurking, and even then your field will grow stones over the winter months /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Good luck whatever you decide.

scotty

MrSteve · Jan 21, 2006

brad_oatley if you want to do, then go ahead and do it. Sure it is fun and even more fun when you are making money. IMO you still should charge the going rate for that type of job, you will wish you did when something happens and YES something will happen.

Here is one for you to think about... You are mowing along and all of a sudden "BOOM" "What was that?!" You just ran over someones old 4" well stand pipe OUCH. No never happen to me, but every time I think of something like that my stomach feels like it just went down a roller coaster.

brad_oatley · Jan 21, 2006

I know theres a chance I'll damage equipment and I'll charge the going rates for my area so as not to "undercut" anybody. What I'm still wondering is if you think the 80 inch rotary I mentioned above is good for the 35D in tall grass and do you think this tractor mower matchup is good for what I'm proposing to do.

tawilson · Jan 22, 2006

Ok, here's what I think. From what you described of the type of fields you will be mowing, that mower should work. I had a Brushhog belt driven and used it on heavier stuff than recommended and it worked, but I did burn up a belt. If you get steady customers your mowing conditions will improve every time you mow. I'd say if you have a use for that mower and want to hire out to offset the cost, go for it. If you don't, and just want to make some spare cash, I'd pass.

MarlandS · Jan 22, 2006

Do you have an FEL on your tractor? It can be your friend in mowing in an unfamiliar field with tall grass or brush, just keep it 4-6 inches off the ground. Since you won't be moving too fast it'll be better equipped to absorb impacts from hidden treasure than the mower. It'll push over sprouts and help save scratches and dents on the tractor too.

Be sure to charge more for first time over and once a year jobs, they involve more personal expense and risk on your part

Soundguy · Jan 23, 2006

Good luck.. as the others have mentioned.. It's a different world if you head out to mow for profit, vs just mowing a friends pasture now and then.

I've got 2500$ tied up in my mower.. and If I had to replace it today.. that would be almost 3000.. not to mention the bucks in the tractor... hauling.. insurance.. etc.

I do have a neighbor approach me now and again about mowing thier pasture for them.. I decide those on a case by case basis, thinking about time, wear/tear, safety, and last onthe list.. money.

Soundguy

HEC · Jan 23, 2006

I don't like mowing other peoples fields just for all the reasons given already, it can end up being very costly .I mowed a friends field last year and like already mentioned I kept my front end loader bucket just a few inches off the ground but was still very nervous about it, and yes there was a yellow jacket nest in that field and then his wife came out and was mad because I mowed a certain section she didn't want mowed due some type of bird being in there.I went home wondering why I did it in the first place.
Herb

Syncro · Jan 23, 2006

Brad- I like the looks of that mower and may get one for use on my own fields in areas that I want to keep looking like lawn, and where I'm 100% sure there are no obsticles. For unknown or high growth fields I'd make the first cut with a regular bush hog.

JoeL4330 · Jan 23, 2006

Have you looked at the BEFCO C70? finish mower w. free swinging kick back blades ...hard tires available

brad_oatley · Jan 24, 2006

Thanks for all the input. I'm really not doing this to make any money, I'd say I just don't want it to COST much either. I enjoy mowing.
On the mowerI guess the consensus is to avoid the belt drive mower and stick with a direct drive.
What's the biggest width I can use on tall dry grass that won't bog down the 35 hp too bad? 5hp per foot? 6 or 7 foot?

MrSteve · Jan 25, 2006

Is that 35hp your engine HP or PTO? I have a 1533 with about 27hp to the PTO, and I have a 6ft mower with NO problems cutting, BUT I have no hills and my grass is groomed.

Most will tell you to stay with a 5ft... I will say you can make the 6ft mower smaller by making a 5ft pass, but you can't make the 5 foot bigger no matter what you do.

RobJ · Jan 25, 2006

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Brad- I like the looks of that mower and may get one for use on my own fields in areas that I want to keep looking like lawn, and where I'm 100% sure there are no obsticles. For unknown or high growth fields I'd make the first cut with a regular bush hog. )</font>

Exactly what I was going to suggest. Good plan, once you mow it you know what's there.

But be ware of that mowing for fun stuff. As a kid I loved driving my Granddaddys tractors. Until after begging to plow the real cotton he said ok. Drops me off at 6:00am and comes back at noon. Hot, dust, boring after the first hour. I still liked discing and drilling beans, if I drifted while sweeping cotton I could take out a couple rows in no time. Same with clearing property for our weekend house. Fun on my brother in laws jd350 for the first hour or 2. After 8 you feel beat to death.

Soundguy · Jan 25, 2006

I'd also add to use the mower for what it was intended. Knocking down 3' tall weeds with a finish mower will work it harder than it was intended.. might wear the belts out faster.. harder on the tractor.

Use a rough cut mower for brush.. and a finish mower to 'groom'..

Soundguy

HammerFour · Jan 27, 2006

On most beltdriven finish mowers the blades are fixed, if you hit a rock or a high spot or a stump or what have you, the belt has to slip or the shock is transmitted up the driveline to your tractor. So like others have said, use something with pivoting blades to mow ground you aren't familiar with.

A rotary cutter that is in good condition will produce a good looking result on grass, especially if you are cutting it regularly.