Advice needed for cutting around a lake

[eepete]

I use a sickle mower. I was overly frugal when I got it, and got a 6' one. I should have got a 8' one because I have to stay 2-3 feet away from the edge of the pond. So I can cut out about 3' of the bank as it slopes down. I live with it, and during the winter cut it down with a weed wacker or hedge clipper.

The sickle will let me angle 30 degrees below level, so it's good for pond edges and the dams.

The sickles are expensive, but I have 2 ponds with dams and also use the sickle to mow around the hay field after each cutting to keep the edges from growing in.

To Darren: Our pond gets mini-floods a few times a year with big rains, and raises up about 1 foot. That keeps the geese out, but I'll remember what you said about high grass keeping them out if we have problems in the future.

Pete

 

[J_J]

Just get one of these.

A J & R Scambler & Son Ltd, Cambridge UK - Bank Tractor, Bank Mowers and Turfcare Machinery

http://www.banktractor.co.uk/irus_deltrack.html

 

[Darren]

To Darren: Our pond gets mini-floods a few times a year with big rains, and raises up about 1 foot. That keeps the geese out, but I'll remember what you said about high grass keeping them out if we have problems in the future.

Pete

They won't stay anyplace they can't see predators approaching. High grass makes them nervous and they don't stay long. I mow everything except for a strip around the pond. I don't have to deal with the droppings and the contaminated water.

 

[Glen Watkins]

:laughing:

 

[beppington]

:laughing:

Those mowers almost never get stuck in the mud or fall in the pond :thumbsup:

 

[boggen]

self propelled walk behind "bush hog" is what i would prefer on some of the hills i have around the ponds/lakes.

a regular weed whacker, that has a shoulder strap is a pain, ((muscles)) and recently been using a pushable weed whaker. ((kinda like a push mower, but it has a weed whaker head on it. and allows for either blades or heavy duty string to be placed on it. much easier on the body, and light weight enough that it is easy to push through and jack around when going through tall weeds.

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running a bushhog on rear of tractor. = very highly suggested FEL with general duty bucket on it.

the FEL can be used to add weight (very important) to front of tractor. but also used to pull you back up the hill if needed. ((prefer ag tires on tractors when doing this, r4 or turf tires *shakes head no* banks and hills near pond tend to be wet enough that tires spin))

bush hog / rotary cutter as other suggest, back down the hill. in straight up and down doings and when on top of hill is when ya angle and move over for next swipe.

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sickle bar mower is always nice for ditches and dams. but for me, there is not enough flat area right near edge of pond vs the hill. so running parallel to bank edge = no go. though if i had the cash, i would have a sickle bar mower and rotatory cutter for implements.

and the longer sickle bar i could get would be better.

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i have enough other things that need to get done before keeping entire hills on ponds clean and looking good. so generally let things grow were a bush hog or sickle mower is needed. and just keep top of hills mowed, then use the push weed whaker to keep a path along the bank open up to walk around the lake.

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if you are having vegetation problems within the water (cat-tails for example) i would be looking at removing them (roots). vs trying to cut them down.