Rotary Cutter Dealing with grass clumps

[DavidAubke]

I frequently mow a ~5 acre field. I use a 4' rotary mower which leaves big clumps of cut grass strewn about the field... as bush hogs do. I'm looking for something I could use to either collect or just break up and distribute those clumps after mowing.

I don't want to invest in a finish or flail mower for various reasons. Also, I need to be able to run the clean-up pass at higher speeds. The job already takes a long time as it is.

I'm thinking a landscape rake but if I have to stop frequently to dispose of the piles it collects, that would take too long. Also, I'm guessing I wouldn't want to tear along at top speed with one of those.

Would a drag harrow work? what about a homemade chain-link harrow? I don't really care about removing the grass. I just want to break up the clumps... quickly. Maybe I could even drag the harrow behind the mower.

 

[beenthere]

Mow more often, and avoid the clumps ??

Or get a finish mower with three blades to chop it up finer.

Or just don't worry about clumps (not sure why I don't seem to have clumps that would cause me to worry, but then don't see a pic of yours that may be worse).

 

[SandburRanch]

I frequently mow a ~5 acre field. I use a 4' rotary mower which leaves big clumps of cut grass strewn about the field... as bush hogs do. I'm looking for something I could use to either collect or just break up and distribute those clumps after mowing.

I don't want to invest in a finish or flail mower for various reasons. Also, I need to be able to run the clean-up pass at higher speeds. The job already takes a long time as it is.

I'm thinking a landscape rake but if I have to stop frequently to dispose of the piles it collects, that would take too long. Also, I'm guessing I wouldn't want to tear along at top speed with one of those.

Would a drag harrow work? what about a homemade chain-link harrow? I don't really care about removing the grass. I just want to break up the clumps... quickly. Maybe I could even drag the harrow behind the mower.

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To disperse the clumps, behind the bush hog, pull two trailing mowers with de-thatching blades set just high enough to make full contact of the clumps.

 

[Localmotion]

Would a drag harrow work? what about a homemade chain-link harrow? I don't really care about removing the grass. I just want to break up the clumps... quickly. Maybe I could even drag the harrow behind the mower.

I'd go with the chain harrow - you can even drag it inline behind the mower so long as you don't need to back up at all :thumbsup:

 

[DavidAubke]

Mow more often, and avoid the clumps ??

I'm trying that this year. I don't think I can mow frequently enough to avoid clumps. I really only let it grow a few inches last time and it's still a mess.

Or just don't worry about clumps (not sure why I don't seem to have clumps that would cause me to worry, but then don't see a pic of yours that may be worse).

I'm thinking running with the deck fully lowered may be helping cause this problem. Grass piles up in front of the front skids.

Yeah, so I'm trying to get a finish mower job out of a bush hog.. I know. I'd just like to try to improve the outcome a little bit and breaking up those clumps would really help.

I'd go with the chain harrow - you can even drag it inline behind the mower so long as you don't need to back up at all :thumbsup:

Oh yeah.. backing up. That would be an issue but it'd be worth it if this worked.

 

[TrenaryDucks]

Free range chickens will flatten any grass hump in a heartbeat.

 

[jake98]

Free range chickens will flatten any grass hump in a heartbeat.

No doubt about that! I let mine out a couple times last week and they did half my raking for me! :thumbsup:

 

[bikerdib]

If you are getting clumps that are piled up higher than the grass cut height, you can run the shredder back over the clumps. I run mine over the clumps with the clumps in the middle of the wheels so they go in the middle of the shredder. This chops up the cut grass even more and disperses it. And since you won't be cutting as much grass, you can do it at a higher travel speed. Works for me anyway.

 

[wedge40]

Is your mower side discharge? This is going to sound weird to most people, but what I do is keep cutting over what I've already cut and create windrows. After about 4 passes I make one round in the oppisite direction to put the windrow out the way. When I'm dont I have a bunch of rows of piled up grass that I can run the sweeper through or pick up by hand.

Wedge

 

[Carykong]

If ya want to make pretty with a brush hog,you can avoid clumps by raising your mower deck. Let the cut grass dry a few days and then make another pass with your brush hog at a lower setting. You can avoid the clumps with more frequent mowing but then again that is what a brush hog is good at--infrequent mowing.

In the end, if ya really want a pretty cut, a finish mower or flail will be the most efficient answer to your problem.

 

[kubotakid USA]

Sounds like dull blades, Mowing more often, not quite so low, and keep the rpms high, so it does a better job of mulching, are a few things Id try, , Eric

 

[Arkaybee]

This quote from the Bush Hog manual for a single spindle rotary cutter may be what will solve your clumping problem (it is the last statement in italics that I am referencing):



"3-2 ADJUSTING FOR WORK
The cutter should be operated at the highest position
which will give desired cutting results. This will help
prevent the blades from striking the ground, reducing
blade wear and undue strain on the machine. For
best results under heavier cutting conditions, always
tilt the cutter approximately 2 inches (51mm) lower in
the front. This tilt decreases horsepower requirements
and increases potential ground speed.

When fine shredding is desired, adjust cutter deck level or
slightly lower in the rear. This will keep the foliage
under cutter until thoroughly shredded. More power
is required for shredding.

HTH

Arkaybee

 

[flyinlow402]

There is also a difference in mowers. I started with a King Kutter and had a terrible mess with clumps (more like piles). Grass would build up in front of the skids, and the discharge portion of the mower was steel that was bent at an angle causing a void that would let grass ball up finally spit out a big clump. I got rid of it and bought a Deere. The skids in front are at less of an angle and rarely drag, and the discharge portion in the rear is a nice smooth radius. It is rare that I ever get a clump anymore, no matter how tall the grass is.

 

[TripleR]

This quote from the Bush Hog manual for a single spindle rotary cutter may be what will solve your clumping problem (it is the last statement in italics that I am referencing):



"3-2 ADJUSTING FOR WORK
The cutter should be operated at the highest position
which will give desired cutting results. This will help
prevent the blades from striking the ground, reducing
blade wear and undue strain on the machine. For
best results under heavier cutting conditions, always
tilt the cutter approximately 2 inches (51mm) lower in
the front. This tilt decreases horsepower requirements
and increases potential ground speed.

When fine shredding is desired, adjust cutter deck level or
slightly lower in the rear. This will keep the foliage
under cutter until thoroughly shredded. More power
is required for shredding.

HTH

Arkaybee

We do this with our Woods DS1260 and it eliminates clumping, but kind of stumbled on it by accident. On my LP RCR2672, I don't mow quite as low and have chains which seems to help over rubber shields.

 

[Chilly807]

If you're mowing ONLY grass, and the rear of the mower has a removable plate or guard, you can try removing that and let the mown grass blow freely out the back. It's not ideal safety wise, but neither is a typical lawn mower with side discharge.

Like TripleR mentioned, chain shields are available for some mowers that will reduce or eliminate clumping. I suspect the mown grass builds up against the back of the mower deck until it gets too heavy to stay there, then it rolls out as a clump.

Mowing wet grass is bad for clumps too, dry stuff it less likely to clump.

Sean

 

[clemsonfor]

I frequently mow a ~5 acre field. I use a 4' rotary mower which leaves big clumps of cut grass strewn about the field... as bush hogs do. I'm looking for something I could use to either collect or just break up and distribute those clumps after mowing.

I don't want to invest in a finish or flail mower for various reasons. Also, I need to be able to run the clean-up pass at higher speeds. The job already takes a long time as it is.

I'm thinking a landscape rake but if I have to stop frequently to dispose of the piles it collects, that would take too long. Also, I'm guessing I wouldn't want to tear along at top speed with one of those.

Would a drag harrow work? what about a homemade chain-link harrow? I don't really care about removing the grass. I just want to break up the clumps... quickly. Maybe I could even drag the harrow behind the mower.

Run over it at as high a speed as you comfortably can drive with the bushhog after, it will spread those clumps out.

 

[the6shooter]

If you have a round rear deck type mower, remove the rear cover and replace it with a safty chain kit. by opening up the rear of the cutter, you will be able to disperce the cuttings.

I had a massy, mower that was closed in the rear and every few feet there was what I call a grass fart, and by remowing over it was like hitting a stump.

I made a purchase of a Frontier (jd) 1060 5ft cutter w/ safty chains and have never looked back. problem solved. grass lays down all spead evenly on the ground.

I now have a Modern Ag. mower that came with a rubber cover, got rid if the rubber for the chains on the rear. another happy mower, and no grass farts to deal with.:thumbsup:
david

 

[the6shooter]

And don't be afraid of sharpening the blades, I do every 12 hrs. of mowing

 

[tables]

So there is no answer for windrows and clumps. Does the width of the mower have any effect?. I have the same problem(s) and don't really have time to mow more often or go back over it.

 

[tables]

Thanks a lot!