Mowing a Fence Line

[JayRm]

With new implements in the marketplace, does anyone have experience using either the DR fence mower (3-point hitch attaches to tractor) or any other brand? If not, are you using any of the following: scythe, string trimmer, chemical spraying?

Does your method work well? What would you want to improve the effectiveness and speed of using your method?

 

[mddorange]

Hey Jay, I do spray the fence lines just wide enough to use the cutter or ridding mower.

I think, for it being the cheapest route with what I already have, that it works very well. I do have to spray it about 3 times a year. Up north, you might get by with spraying it only once.

 

[JayRm]

Thanks for your thoughts. I appreciate your input for my thought process. However, I'm going to try not to use any chemicals as we're close to flowing water sources. I'm hoping to find out what others, including you, are doing to compare my methods - scything for the time being, It's good exercise and quiet, but at an advanced age, I'm not sure how long it will continue.....ha ha.

 

[Cataclysm]

With new implements in the marketplace, does anyone have experience using either the DR fence mower (3-point hitch attaches to tractor) or any other brand? If not, are you using any of the following: scythe, string trimmer, chemical spraying?

Does your method work well? What would you want to improve the effectiveness and speed of using your method?

I use chem's because doing with a trimmer would be almost impossible, although I don't like using them. I built a custom sprayer for my side by side. It works well and it quick.

I tried to get my BIL to go in halves on one of the DR's fence trimmers but he wasn't interested. I think the DR would work great for the electric fences.

 

[JayRm]

Thank you for your thoughts on this. From the online video, of the DR , I can't tell if it truly does a nice job around the fence posts. If we can shuttle the tools between New England and Oklahoma, we could share the cost.......ha.

 

[TheMan419]

Titan has one too. I have not used either Titan 3-Point Hitch Attachment Trimmer Lawn Mower Category Cat 1 Tractor

I will have a bunch of fence line here shortly. So I am debating chemicals vs something like the DR or Titan. Like you I would rather use a trimmer and not use chemicals. My east property line is a county maintained drainage ditch. So some ecological sense in not using chemicals. However no restriction against it.

For me the trimmer would also make it easier to maintain a nice looking cut on the ditch "bank". It is not currently in the budget, but in a couple years maybe.

 

[Mike_Kanzer]

I used a dr walk behind string trimmer for many years but got tired of trying to do it frequently enough to look decent. Last year i switched to a spray product marketed by Gordon 's that is a mix of roundup and a pre-emergent. In works really well. Only need to spray at most twice a season. Got the stuff at tractor supply. I have a 15 gallon sprayer in the back of my gator that I spray with. It runs off the gator battery and does a decent job.

 

[John Fitzgerald]

I have a walk behind string trimmer. If you hit posts much, you are changing the line. I prefer glyphosate.

 

[Otto Syracuse]

I bought the DR trimmer and it worked ok. Not as easy to use or as effective as the videos on their website show. It is hard to get into corners, and I had to frequently change the line. It will be heading to Craigslist soon.

I've found the best way is a metal blade on power weed trimmer, it cuts through heavy grass and saplings very easily. Much more effective than using string. I then hit it with Trimec or Roundup, whichever I have on hand. One trip around the fence line once a year with the trimmer, followed up by weed killer and it is good for the year.

If you don't want to use chemicals, I would plan on using a weed trimmer at least three times a year.

 

[DrRod]

In some places I spray Round Up. I have a 15 gallon sprayer mounted on my ATV [Honda Recon] and it works great.

Along the road, we were blessed with daylilies. Wherever they were thin or missing, we transplanted a few and they took off from there. Even when not in bloom, they make a nice even border on both sides of the woven wire fence. Working as one with nature.