Pond Edge Maintainence

[bobframe]

I have a 3 acre pond and am somewhat **** about maintaining it's edges. Currently we weed whack the edges by hand (using a couple of Stihl hand held weed trimmers/sickle bar cutters). We also use the Kubota L3010 and 60" bush hog to back up over the edge. The process is time consuming and difficult to do....especially along the dam...petrified I am going to put the tractor in the pond. I also use my Scag Turf Tiger (62" cut) to get close to the edge, but cutting all the way to the edge risks putting the mower in the water (DAMHIK).

I wish I had a more "automated" means of trimming things.

I'd like to hear how others maintain their pond edges.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Bob

 

[murphy1244]

There is a thread in here that a poster converted a pushmower connected to his tractor.
Welcome to our world...

 

[ncnurseryman]

I maintain my by hand with the weed eater. It's a lot of work but I can't get to close to the edge because of the bank slope. I thought of a sickle bar cutter but can't justify the cost.

 

[TripleR]

We use a combination on our ponds, some we use our M8540 with a 10' pull type rotary cutter. The wheels are set wide and it is very stable. I also use my L5030 and 6' rotary cutter and back down to the edge and use the hydraulic top link to set the height properly on the incline.

On a couple, our renters use a 7000 Series John Deere and 15' bat wing rotary cutter.

In some areas, we leave a band of vegetation for wildlife cover.

 

[rekees4300]

I'd like to hear how others maintain their pond edges.

My 1 acre pond edge has a steep slope so no way I'm going anywhere near it with a tractor. Learned my lesson the hard way! There just seems to be some unwritten law of nature that requires tractors to be sucked into a pond! :shocked: I use a weed whacker by hand twice a year. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"

 

[bobframe]

I thought of a sickle bar cutter but can't justify the cost.

Are sickle bars made for compact tractors? They look incredibly dangerous to use and I'm guessing they can get jammed when cutting heavy/woody weeds...but I can imagine just running it along the edge and cutting the grass/weeds in one swoop.

 

[ncnurseryman]

Not sure whether it works on a compact tractor, I have a jd970 and I use most other attachments so maybe it could. I'd love to be able to, sure would save a lot of back ache.

 

[CBW1999]

Sickle bar mowers come as small as 5 feet as far as I know. I believe newer models have the breakaway ability if the grab something and hold on- all you have to do is clear the jam and back up for the spring to pull it back in place (don't quote me that all models do this). the other option is getting a used/older model.

The best option would be to get one with hydraulic tilting(angling) that goes down enough to cut the bank. otherwise it is a P.I.T.A. adjusting it as frequently as needed.

I've been back and forth quite a bit on getting one for similar uses. I just don't know how many different types of mowers need to be decorating my side yard!

Ken Sweet (Sweet tractors) always has used one's available- he has always been helpful answering questions- shoot him a P.M. and see what he thinks.

 

[bobframe]

I checked Sweet Tractors used implements...more expensive than I thought. But thanks...looks like a nice option.

 

[TripleR]

Sickle bar mowers come as small as 5 feet as far as I know. I believe newer models have the breakaway ability if the grab something and hold on- all you have to do is clear the jam and back up for the spring to pull it back in place (don't quote me that all models do this). the other option is getting a used/older model.

The best option would be to get one with hydraulic tilting(angling) that goes down enough to cut the bank. otherwise it is a P.I.T.A. adjusting it as frequently as needed.

I've been back and forth quite a bit on getting one for similar uses. I just don't know how many different types of mowers need to be decorating my side yard!

Ken Sweet (Sweet tractors) always has used one's available- he has always been helpful answering questions- shoot him a P.M. and see what he thinks.

We have a Massey Ferguson sickle bar mower that "breaks away" and will mow some pretty steep angles, but haven't had it out of the shed in years. It is just too much trouble switching equipment, but it works really well on pond banks, ditches etc.