Gravely

[RonL]

Ordered a 16 HP Gravely two wheel tractor with a 30" brush cutter. It's being delivered tomorrow morning ( Saturday ). My yard behind the barn has become completely overgrown. I'll start with cutting that down. In the Spring I'll start clearing my property in New Hampshire. The Plan is to use the brush cutter to clear the open areas and the areas around the trees that are growing. The property was logged over several years ago. Theres a number of 3'' to 5" birch growing in the area that needs to be cleared. After clearing the brush around them I want cut them flush with the ground so they do not pose a threat to my backhoe tires. I'll then bring in the backhoe and pull the stumps.
When I can afford it i would like to get the snowblower , rototiller, and finish mower attachments for the gravely. I'll keep you informed as to how the Gravely works out.

RonL

 

[Solo]

RonL
Your Gravely will work out great. I've had mine for over three years now and couldn't live without it. If you can find them look for used attachments their cheaper. I think for the rototiller new there $1200, I got mine used for $450.
Solo

 

[RonL]

They just delivered the machine. I spent a few minutes running it and cut down a small overgrown patch. The machine ran through foot and a half tall grass and weeds like it wasn't there. Initial impressions: heavy, well built, powerful piece of professional equipment. When I finish my coffee I'm going to tackle the back yard.

RonL

 

[RonL]

After having spent Saturday afternoon clearing the mess behind my carriage house with the Gravely my feelings are: I should have done this twenty years ago! The area is about sixty feet by sixty feet and was covered with brush and weeds up to my chest. The Gravely went through it like nothing. Occasionally I had to lift the cutter and lower it over heavy clumps, then back up. When I was done the yard was covered with shredded material. There were some clumps along the edges. I'll spend about 20 minutes today with the weed-wacker finishing it. With the extended and low profile nose of the cutter I was able to get about 95% of the area. My initial impressions continue. Strong, heavy, competent piece of professional equipment.

RonL

 

[geneP]

I suspect you will continue to have good luck with your Gravely. I bought an 8 hp model 526 new in 1977. I used it heavily around our place digging post holes, plowing, mowing, etc for several years. The engine began using oil after about 15 years and I had it rebuilt. Last year I replaced the engine with a new one, and replaced the tires because of dry rot. Other than batteries and oil changes, that's all the maintenance it has required. They're tough machines.

It's technology is getting old, like me. I use a sulky with it to cut grass, and it's not as easy for me to handle as it once was. Recently I'm thinking of a ride-on mower.