Okay here's a really dumb question

[NIXON]

Re: Okay here\'s a really dumb question

Okay , I surrender /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I believe a 5ft brush hog will be the best thing for me . Like I said ... Dumb question /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
As far as Goats ..... Not a chance . They're ugly ,troublesome and the don't exactly smell all that good . /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Besides I have a resident herd of about 20 deer and 40 or so wild Turkeys that like to roam through the property . Goats might offend them . That ,and I have two bears that show up at some inopportune times . I don't want to encourage them by advertising FREE FOOD /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif all the best , John

 

[tdenny]

Re: Okay here\'s a really dumb question

Don't surrender,

It was a good question and the first time I've seen it. As far as goats go though you've got the wrong impression. I have 1-3 goats depending on time of the year and I got them to do what the tractor now does. They can be ugly although I tend to think mine aren't. They don't stink (as long as you get them fixed), and aren't any trouble whatsoever. I have a large herd of elk that seem to tromp right through the goats "area" with no problems. I've got no bears yet though. Best of luck on your tractor search.

 

[NIXON]

Re: Okay here\'s a really dumb question

TD , thanks for the post ! What I had in mind was something heavier duty than a finish mower, but not as heavy duty as a Brush hog . Kind of like the old Gravely walk behinds , but mounted under a tractor . Tell you what I'm gonna do (this is a special good deal ) I'll trade you two slightly used bears for one good bull elk /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif You pay shipping ! I still believe I'll pass on the Goats /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif John

 

[tdenny]

Re: Okay here\'s a really dumb question

John,

Ok here's your bull elk.

I find this guy munching on my grass in the morning when all is quiet. The cows run around all over the place but this guy hides out most of the time.

 

[NIXON]

Re: Okay here\'s a really dumb question

Simply beautiful ! Thanks . John
I gotta get a digital camera before spring . I'll send you a snap of my indegent bears /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Soundguy]

Re: Okay here\'s a really dumb question

Exactly the same idea i'm going to do. I've got a few acres fenced for livestock, and I'm developing the back of the 10 ac pasture.. has about 1-2 acres ov overgrowth and small trees I'd like to preserve... I'm going to throw up some 2x4 wire fencing around those dense treed areas and get some goats... neighbors a few pastures over did this with good effect.. ( and saleable goat herd after the fact. ).

Soundguy

 

[tdenny]

Re: Okay here\'s a really dumb question

Soundguy,

They are amazing at clearing land. The only problem is out here I have to actually feed them in the winter since everything green is gone. In Florida you most likely won't have that problem. If you have blackberry bushes that you want to get rid of you can count on them. Make sure you get "real" goats and not pigmies as I have heard that the pigmy types aren't brush eaters. The only other real downside to my goats are that they like to eat the bark off my cedar trees. So I have had to put a little wire around those trees that I want to keep.

Note: If you compost - goat poop works really well

 

[ejb]

Re: Okay here\'s a really dumb question /goats

>>. I have 1-3 goats depending on time of the year and I got them to do what the tractor now does

Just curious to find out what kind of goats you have, and if you had any problems with them getting intop something that poisons them?

I got some goats with the intention of letting them clear some area too, and perhaps selling a few as well, but so far they have managed to poison themselves to near death twice getting into Mountain Laurel...come to find out there is ALL kinds of things that don't agree with them. If I need to go thru and catelog all the plants in the 8+ acres I was going to let htem have(and remove the poisonous ones) I am not sure it will be worthwhile...I'll just keep them in the pasture.

On a related question, what do you use to fence your goats in?...so far my goats are able to get out of both the two setups I tried for them, even a 4 strand electric fence with a powerful charger and they just squeze on thru.....like it wasn't even one...

 

[tdenny]

Re: Okay here\'s a really dumb question /goats

ejb,

I have one toggenburg goat and my neighbors goats come up at times during the year to hang out with mine. One of theirs is a Toggenburg (my goats mother) and the other is a bit larger and I'm not sure which breed. Between the neighbor and I we have had 1 problem with poisonous plants. My neighbors large goat ate some Rhododendrum (highly toxic) and became very ill. Mine hasn't had any problems since I don't much care for Rhody's and only have two on the whole property. The area where they now reside is a smaller pasture (about an acre) and there isn't anything they can hurt themselves on. I have fenced most of my property with 6 x 6 timber posts and use non-climb horse fencing (2 x 4 square mesh). On all the inner fences I also put three rails between the posts. This has done well at keeping the goat(s) in but recently I watched mine jump the fence on the fly. The fencing is about 4.5 feet tall - so I put 1 hot wire at the top with those 5 inch extenders and this has kept all goats inside the enclosure. I don't even have the hot wire turned on anymore. I will try and attach a picture. The outer fences of my property are just 4x4 posts with 5 foot non-climb horse fence attached. This is somewhat less intrusive and there is no way the goats or the dog can get out of it. The elk however jump it standing still. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I'll try and email you some pictures.

 

[tdenny]

Re: Okay here\'s a really dumb question /goats

Sorry I didn't find your email address so I'll put some links to pictures here. The first one is the upper part of the goat enclosure by the pumphouse and this is where I now have an actual hot wire. The second picture show an older picture of my backyard with some "inner fencing" and in the background you can see what I've done around the property perimeter. Picture 1 picture 2

Sorry these are all of the fencing pictures I could find. I'll try and take a couple this weekend.

 

[earthmaster1]

Re: Okay here\'s a really dumb question

I would look at a flail mower, it would work fine on what your looking to do and its alot shorter than a brush mower, also they do a very good job on grass. Yet cost is more.

 

[tdenny]

Re: Okay here\'s a really dumb question

Good idea on the flail mower. You can probably find a used one out there. I almost got one myself for a really good price. Missed out due to brain fade.

 

[gbirky]

Re: Okay here\'s a really dumb question

I have heard from others that flail mowers are a pain to maintain as well. You have to replace hammers(?) or something and keep it well balanced. Perhaps others who have used flail mowers can provide more input.

 

[tdenny]

Re: Okay here\'s a really dumb question

I haven't seen too many complaints about the flail mowers. Most poeple I have talked to said these were great mowers that wouldn't cut as nice as your finish mower but far superior to a cut on a brush hog. Flail mowers are also known to be pretty good at mulching everything they run over so they work really well with small saplings, etc.

 

[NIXON]

Re: Okay here\'s a really dumb question

Manifest newness showing again . But do any of you have a website,or dealer page for flail mowers ? I just wanted to mow brush.But if flails are a problem ,maybe I will want to mow them too /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif John

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Okay here\'s a really dumb question

John,

Got a real kick out of that one...ROFLMA...is what they say in cases like this I think... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I like your style!

 

[tdenny]

Re: Okay here\'s a really dumb question

Very funny!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Taylortractornut]

Re: Okay here\'s a really dumb question

I have 2 flail mowers they do a good job. On a real wide one you have to watch about bowing the flail bar but on a narrow one for a Compact they are tough. You can get rough duty flails medium duty, or finish. Some models have a super heavy drum and can have carbide teeth that can eat small small stumps and limbs, and till them in at the same time. Most mowers do a fine job in the yard with medium duty flails and can be used for mowin sage grass and sericia feilds nd and occasional small tree. I just got another little five foot flail mower this week for 25 dollars its an Alamo but this guys neighbor took it without asking and used it for tilling and its a mow only model. It need new flais but 100 dollars can fixe it. I figue ill redo it and give it to dad.

 

[NIXON]

Re: Okay here\'s a really dumb question

Taylor, Thanks! I found a couple of websites . They look prety HD ,and compact . Again , Thank you . John