What machine, or equipment, can mow an uneven grassy pasture the fastest? Zero Turn?

[JJT]

So rolling a field or lawn.

It makes it smoother, but does the process "over compact" clay soil?

What's the experience?

Rolling will flatten the mole hills, but do little else. Unless you are using a 10+ ton vibratory roller, that should flatten and over compact everything it touches.

 

[plowhog]

Appreciate all the responses.

Sounds like some have good experiences with ZTR in a pasture. But also some batwing fans for high production which I understand.

I have a fair number of obstacles-- fences, trees, raised sprinklers, pond shoreline. So while a batwing could quickly get a lot done, I would also have a lot left to go back and address afterward, using a different machine. The nice part of the Ventrac is I can mow open pasture plus easily mow around raised sprinklers, while I am already there, and under tree/branch overhangs quite easily.

My largest pasture is the most bumpy. It accounts for about 1/2 the total area mowed. And the rest of pasture area is smoother. So I am wondering if a ZTR could be used to improve mowing speed for most of it, and use something else for the bumpiest part?

And I still am quite interested in a flail mower to get the cut height down and reduce the mowing interval.

Re: the suggestion to remove the front loader (grapple) and loader arms. My complaint about using my 8ft twin spindle rotary cutter was severe bouncing of the cab tractor requiring slow speed-- sometimes hanging onto the door handles while the cab jostled left and right. I think I need to try using the rotary cutter again with the loader arms removed-- as I should be doing if I pull anything behind-- batwing or flail.

And trying out a ZTR would be good if I can find a way to do that.

 

[Gord Baker]

I am wondering if a Zero Turn, such as a Ferris with suspension, would be a better faster smoother more comfortable mower for my pastures?

All I see in promotional videos are using these for lawns, not pastures. But if a speedy ZTR could perform well, I might be more comfortable (suspension) plus get more done by mowing faster.

My equipment right now is either an 8 foot rotary cutter or a Ventrac with tough cut. Using the rotary cutter means mowing at about 3mph due to terrain. Sometimes bumpy enough where I don't even try to go faster han about 3mph using a tractor. The Ventrac can average about 5mph, handles bumps a little better, but with a smaller deck and width of cut it is only a little faster than my tractor. And I still bounce around a lot.

I see advertisements for mowing at 12mph in a ZTR. Is it realistic to think a ZTR could mow a grassy pasture that varies between smooth and bumpy? If I could even do, say 8mph, that would be huge.

Here is a Ferris ZTR with suspension -- and a CAT 48hp diesel LOL. Only $40,000 and it is yours!!

Q- is anyone using Zero Turns to mow pastures?

IS® 6200 Zero Turn Mower

Comfort, durability, and power are what make the IS 6200 more than a luxury, it's a necessity. The 48 hp* CAT^® turbo diesel engine provides up to two times more longevity than a traditional gas engine. Designed for the rigors of maintaining municipal and industrial properties, the IS...

www.ferrismowers.com

The 8' Rotary you have should do the job best and ultimately quickest with the width. I have never heard of an 8' bushhog. Slow down or rent it out for pasture.

 

[Hay Dude]

The 8' Rotary you have should do the job best and ultimately quickest with the width. I have never heard of an 8' bushhog. Slow down or rent it out for pasture.

I had the perfect 8’ bush hog. A John Deere MX-8 with hydraulic side shift.
Bought mine lightly used and literally built my field mowing business with it.
Excellent A+ mower. Mowed way beyond it’s capabilities. I highly suggest you seek one out if you are in need of a mower that size. I simply outgrew mine.

 

[CH4Ohio]

I had the perfect 8’ bush hog. A John Deere MX-8 with hydraulic side shift.
Bought mine lightly used and literally built my field mowing business with it.
Excellent A+ mower. Mowed way beyond it’s capabilities. I highly suggest you seek one out if you are in need of a mower that size. I simply outgrew mine.

View attachment 3421537

View attachment 3421535

That is/was a nice setup!

 

[Hay Dude]

That is/was a nice setup!

Yes it was. I started my business with the M-7040 and that MX-8 side shift twin spindle mower. Super nice mower. Could reach sideways about 30” each way to get under trees.
Deere makes the nicest rotary cutters, IMO.

Made a lot of money with that little set-up. Probably should have just kept it, but the urge to grow bigger was too much to overcome.

 

[Hay Dude]

I also had a John Deere 390 offset flail mower

and a Ferri swing arm flail mower

 

[chim]

So rolling a field or lawn.

It makes it smoother, but does the process "over compact" clay soil?

What's the experience?

Tried rolling with a 24" steel pipe roller filled with concrete. The yard laughed at it.

The seat that allows you to comfortably mow rough terrain at 15MPH also allows you to beat the snot out of your equipment.

 

[Hay Dude]

So rolling a field or lawn.

It makes it smoother, but does the process "over compact" clay soil?

What's the experience?

Try doing it after it’s rained. It’ll be mushier and your lawn roller will work more gooder.

 

[RayIN]

Years ago(25?) a friend mowed about 20 acres of pasture+his lawn with a ZTR-brand unknown. Approx, 6-8 years of that and the ZTR was worn-out, so he junked it and bought a finish 3-pt. mower. AFIK, he's still using that finish mower and farm tractor today.