How to get to mowing?

[Hotwheels]

I have about 7 acres. It is on a hillside and it is a combination of rock and hard clay soil. Lots of weeds. I cut it now with string trimmers. Longer term I would like to use a CUT with a mower. However, the numbers and size of rocks seem to be working against that option. If you have rocky soil, what are the attachments to use so that the ground can be mowed?

 

[Hotwheels]

I have about 7 acres. It is on a hillside and it is a combination of rock and hard clay soil. Lots of weeds. I cut it now with string trimmers. Longer term I would like to use a CUT with a mower. However, the numbers and size of rocks seem to be working against that option. If you have rocky soil, what are the attachments to use so that the ground can be mowed?

 

[jbrumberg]

Hotwheels:

Welcome to TBN! It must take forever to string trim 7 A's. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I use a rear mounted (3PH) 5' rotary cutter on my CUT to mow my field. Rear mounted cutters have higher ground clearances than midmount mowers (MMM) and they can be raised hydraulically as you cut to clear obstructions. Rotary cutters are also known as bush hogs, brush hogs, and shredders. They come in utility/economy, middle, and heavy duty models which roughly correspond to the gear box horsepower capacity and size of tree they can cut (~1", 1.5", and 2" approximately). If and when you do take the plunge and buy your tractor and rotary cutter get a RC with a slip clutch- shear pins are a pain /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif. There is a wealth of information related to tractor/attachment ownership and operation on TBN. All of us would be more than willing to help you spend your money! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Jay

 

[jbrumberg]

Hotwheels:

Welcome to TBN! It must take forever to string trim 7 A's. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I use a rear mounted (3PH) 5' rotary cutter on my CUT to mow my field. Rear mounted cutters have higher ground clearances than midmount mowers (MMM) and they can be raised hydraulically as you cut to clear obstructions. Rotary cutters are also known as bush hogs, brush hogs, and shredders. They come in utility/economy, middle, and heavy duty models which roughly correspond to the gear box horsepower capacity and size of tree they can cut (~1", 1.5", and 2" approximately). If and when you do take the plunge and buy your tractor and rotary cutter get a RC with a slip clutch- shear pins are a pain /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif. There is a wealth of information related to tractor/attachment ownership and operation on TBN. All of us would be more than willing to help you spend your money! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Jay

 

[MattBeef]

Hey Jay,

My shredder has a shear pin set-up. I never thought about a slip clutch - until this weekend. I borrowd my buddy's roto-tiller - it has one (slip clutch). Saved some time and Pain-in-the-A$$.

I think I'll take your advice and get one for the shredder. Where does one purchase a slip-clutch? And, how much does one o' these babies cost?

Be cool,

mlg

 

[MattBeef]

Hey Jay,

My shredder has a shear pin set-up. I never thought about a slip clutch - until this weekend. I borrowd my buddy's roto-tiller - it has one (slip clutch). Saved some time and Pain-in-the-A$$.

I think I'll take your advice and get one for the shredder. Where does one purchase a slip-clutch? And, how much does one o' these babies cost?

Be cool,

mlg

 

[Hotwheels]

Yep, it takes days to use the line trimmers to do my "mowing." I have three trimmers for different conditions; Shindaiwa b450 for the heavy weeds, Shindaiwa t260 and Husy 326 or most of the rest. There are lots of rocks and the line trimmer is well suited to cutting around them, but it takes so long and it is a lot of effort I would rather put elswhere.

I started thinking about the tractor route and thought maybe a landscape rake would allow me to get some of the rocks out of the way, then I could use a a brush hog type mower. I think the MMM style is out becuase of rocks and terrain.

I am thinking of asking the tractor dealer to come over and take a look and see if it is feasible to use a tractor and brush hog to do the job. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Hotwheels]

Yep, it takes days to use the line trimmers to do my "mowing." I have three trimmers for different conditions; Shindaiwa b450 for the heavy weeds, Shindaiwa t260 and Husy 326 or most of the rest. There are lots of rocks and the line trimmer is well suited to cutting around them, but it takes so long and it is a lot of effort I would rather put elswhere.

I started thinking about the tractor route and thought maybe a landscape rake would allow me to get some of the rocks out of the way, then I could use a a brush hog type mower. I think the MMM style is out becuase of rocks and terrain.

I am thinking of asking the tractor dealer to come over and take a look and see if it is feasible to use a tractor and brush hog to do the job. Thanks for the reply!

 

[JerryG]

We need an idea of how steep your hillside is and the size of rocks that you are talking about. Do you have a picture of this area?

 

[JerryG]

We need an idea of how steep your hillside is and the size of rocks that you are talking about. Do you have a picture of this area?

 

[Jagmandave]

My property is hilly and rough, and I used to mow with my brush hog, but there are lots of trees and other things to mow around, so it didn't do a very good job, and took forever. It also tore up the ground with the lugged tires in the spring when the ground was soft, making it even rougher. My solution was to buy a ZTR. Once you've got it mowed down from the rough condition, it's super easy and fast to keep it in shape.

 

[Jagmandave]

My property is hilly and rough, and I used to mow with my brush hog, but there are lots of trees and other things to mow around, so it didn't do a very good job, and took forever. It also tore up the ground with the lugged tires in the spring when the ground was soft, making it even rougher. My solution was to buy a ZTR. Once you've got it mowed down from the rough condition, it's super easy and fast to keep it in shape.

 

[Alan L.]

If its mostly weeds, some 2-4D might cut way back on the growth. Some roundup might even be better. Then a brush hog raised up over the rocks, assuming the slope is not prohibitive.

 

[Alan L.]

If its mostly weeds, some 2-4D might cut way back on the growth. Some roundup might even be better. Then a brush hog raised up over the rocks, assuming the slope is not prohibitive.

 

[jbrumberg]

MattBeef:

The slip clutch for my Tebben Medium Duty 60" rotary cutter cost~ $184. I believe the slip clutch for my Tebben 40" economy cutter cost~ $100 a couple of years ago. I ordered both clutches when I purchased the cutters and I had to shorten the PTO driveshafts to accomodate the slip clutches' added length to the driveshafts in order to couple the PTO and 3PH. I believe I have seen slip clutches at TSC. Make sure that a "universal" slip clutch will mate with your PTO driveshafts and/or spindle assembly. Good Luck- Jay

 

[jbrumberg]

MattBeef:

The slip clutch for my Tebben Medium Duty 60" rotary cutter cost~ $184. I believe the slip clutch for my Tebben 40" economy cutter cost~ $100 a couple of years ago. I ordered both clutches when I purchased the cutters and I had to shorten the PTO driveshafts to accomodate the slip clutches' added length to the driveshafts in order to couple the PTO and 3PH. I believe I have seen slip clutches at TSC. Make sure that a "universal" slip clutch will mate with your PTO driveshafts and/or spindle assembly. Good Luck- Jay

 

[jbrumberg]

Matt- I forgot to welcome you to TBN. I see from your equipment list that you have a 60" KK shredder. I believe KK products are sold at TSC which is where I might have seen that slip clutch. Jay

 

[jbrumberg]

Matt- I forgot to welcome you to TBN. I see from your equipment list that you have a 60" KK shredder. I believe KK products are sold at TSC which is where I might have seen that slip clutch. Jay

 

[Hotwheels]

Thanks for the replys! I will take some images and post them in the next day. What they will show is a lanscape with rocks from small pebbles to mini boulders. The larger rocks I can work around, it is the 5-12 inchers that worry me and those are everywhere. Maybe that is why there are several quarries nearby. It seems that unless I can deal with the numbers of those, then using a line trimmer may be my only option.

I do use roundup selectively, mostly on start thistle patches and some johnson grass patches. Spraying the whole area with roundup isn't desirable because there are some wildflowers my wife loves and she would not tolerate killing those along with everything else. So, blanket treatment for the weeds is not an option. Mowing is my best bet, it is just how much preparation has to be done in order to use a brush hog or similar mower.

Thanks!

 

[Hotwheels]

Thanks for the replys! I will take some images and post them in the next day. What they will show is a lanscape with rocks from small pebbles to mini boulders. The larger rocks I can work around, it is the 5-12 inchers that worry me and those are everywhere. Maybe that is why there are several quarries nearby. It seems that unless I can deal with the numbers of those, then using a line trimmer may be my only option.

I do use roundup selectively, mostly on start thistle patches and some johnson grass patches. Spraying the whole area with roundup isn't desirable because there are some wildflowers my wife loves and she would not tolerate killing those along with everything else. So, blanket treatment for the weeds is not an option. Mowing is my best bet, it is just how much preparation has to be done in order to use a brush hog or similar mower.

Thanks!