rbtjr
Gold Member
I have a First Choice sicklebar mower that will run vertical and I have tried it and it does work. It will cut brush and small limbs very well. But I have got to tell you that it is nerve racking work having that sickle running right behind your right ear and above your head with stuff falling down in your face. A sicklebar is a little floppy when not supported on the far end by the ground. I would not recommend using one that way. But maybe I'm just a chicken.
I have miles of trails and roads to maintain. For me the best method is to use a chainsaw, polesaw, and bushhog. Once I get the brush and trees cut back far enough at ground level upkeep is alot easier. I use the sickle bar at ground level to reach under the branches and keep stuff on the sides from growing.
One thought is to mow with the sickle bar at less than a 90 degree upright angle--maybe 80 degrees or 75--so if the hydraulics fail gravity will cause the mowing bar to fall down away from you.