Own John Deere 790, how to mow around pond/ditches?

[oxymoron]

My grandfather has recently taken ill; I've been trying to take care of his lawn/land as much as possible, he's got a JD 465 Zero turn mower, and and JD 790 tractor this brings me to my question:

I'm trying to figure out the best way to mow around his pond/ditches along the road. I've been using a string trimmer, but I have to say I've been at it for about 4 hours now and am less than 1/2 way done. I was thinking of a sickle bar attachment for the 790, anyone have any suggestions or thoughts?

Thanks in Advance.

 

[davkir]

Used sickle mowers in good condition are scarce around here. You can get a self powered offset mower (Swisher is one brand) for A LOT less money then a new sickle mower.
How close can you "safely" get to the edge of the water?

 

[TripleR]

What attachments do you have now?

Is the ground level?

How big is the pond?

How did he mow it?

 

[whitedogone]

"...... to mow around pond/ditches?"

Probably more folks killed by doing this than about any other thing on the farm.

 

[LBrown59]

My grandfather has recently taken ill; I've been trying to take care of his lawn/land as much as possible, he's got a JD 465 Zero turn mower, and and JD 790 tractor this brings me to my question:

*I'm trying to figure out the best way to mow around his pond/ditches along the road. I've been using a string trimmer, but I have to say I've been at it for about 4 hours now and am less than 1/2 way done. I was thinking of a sickle bar attachment for the 790, anyone have any suggestions or thoughts?

Thanks in Advance.

*Hang a push mower on the end of an adjustable pole and the other end of the pole on the 3 point hitch.

 

[gwjd]

mow everything you can then weed eat a 6 foot pond edge

then at the end of the season clear out everything or in the middle its a little less work and safe... also you have the equipment a little natrual cover might attract wildlife

 

[Bdavis]

I just bought some property and I have a very similar problem. Moated pond and 400 feet of steep ditch. I don't have a zero turn , wish I did , it would help some. I have a mahindra 4500 with front end loader so I am really limited on cutting incline. I am determined to work it out and do it safely but it is a real problem. (push mower, weed eater - or the most effective so far).
However, takes a long time and with the summer time heat (southern Mississippi it is tough). I will post again when I work it out and will check back on this post occasionally.
Thanks for the post and good luck !

 

[RoyJackson]

I'm not required to do such mowing, but the neatest method I've seen (was on TBN years ago) is to go for dualies on the rear axle. This is not a cheap method though.

But oxymoron, the OP, has to ask his grand dad how he kept that area. And, I hope he posts it here, so other folks may use the same or similar method.

 

[TripleR]

I have used and am using a bush hog/rotary cutter and/or RFM to mow my pond levies by backing down to the water's edge. With an HST, it really isn't all that hard and sure beats a weed eater. We have used a sickle mower, but I use a bush hog all summer and don't like switching implements any more than necessary.

On our larger pond, 8 acres this is not practical, so we use a ten foot bush hog which allows us to mow to the edge without putting the tractor in or too close to the water.

 

[Carykong]

I let portions of my pond go "natural" at the edge. A few trees at the edge and cattails in the water have enhansed the natural beauty of the pond. Also, shade near the edge of your pond will allow your fish to stay near the surface during those hot mid summer days. Less work for you.