Advice On Mowing 10 Acres (X 2) to 1.5-2 Inches. Finish Mower?

[Halftrack]

Another thing to consider with using your finish mower set that close to the ground, is that it will suck up dirt, sand and whatever else is there. This will shorten blade life greatly.

Having owned and operated many flails over the years, I would suggest a flail with either the sweep blades or duck foot blades. The Y blades will leave a rippled effect where the bottom of the Y cuts deeper than the center. Flails cut better the closer the blades are to the ground, but they develop much less suction than a finish mower. Because of less suction, flails do not suck up the grass from tractor tire tracks as well, but you are mowing so low I don't think you will notice.

Another plus is they are very unlikely to throw an object out from beneath the deck. They are heavy and with a rear roller will smooth a field in one pass. If you go looking for one, try to find one that the rotor spins opposite wheel travel, you will pick up a few mph ground speed.

 

[wirlybird]

Another thing to consider with using your finish mower set that close to the ground, is that it will suck up dirt, sand and whatever else is there. This will shorten blade life greatly.

Having owned and operated many flails over the years, I would suggest a flail with either the sweep blades or duck foot blades. The Y blades will leave a rippled effect where the bottom of the Y cuts deeper than the center. Flails cut better the closer the blades are to the ground, but they develop much less suction than a finish mower. Because of less suction, flails do not suck up the grass from tractor tire tracks as well, but you are mowing so low I don't think you will notice.

Another plus is they are very unlikely to throw an object out from beneath the deck. They are heavy and with a rear roller will smooth a field in one pass. If you go looking for one, try to find one that the rotor spins opposite wheel travel, you will pick up a few mph ground speed.

I will be trying my large JD flail also. It's low setting is 2 inches and the lowest setting is 1/2 inch. Height increases 1.5 inches for each roller adjustment.
Going to see how 2 inches does for a first cut. One thing we've been told is you should never "roll" a polo field. I don't know if my flail will be an issue in that regard.

I'm not overly worried about blade life on the finish mower. The blades are not very expensive and will be kept sharpened for optimal cut. We'll see how they do.
I appreciate the info.

 

[Halftrack]

If it is a 3 pt flail, you can lower the cutting height by shortening the top link. Yes, the flail roller is heavy, but I think your R-1 tires (if equipped) will leave more of a mark than the flail. I also understand why they do not want the field rolled, per say, its hard on the horse's legs

 

[JethroB]

I’m still trying to grasp polo being played in Oklahoma. The old cowboys must be spinning in their graves or looking up and giggling.

 

[wirlybird]

I’m still trying to grasp polo being played in Oklahoma. The old cowboys must be spinning in their graves or looking up and giggling.

Yea, I know it! The people who own the ranch and stables come from a history of teaching polo and training polo horses out west.
They have the areas so why not I guess. They have quite a bit of activity on it and are trying to really ramp it up this year with the larger field now being ready to use.

 

[wirlybird]

If it is a 3 pt flail, you can lower the cutting height by shortening the top link. Yes, the flail roller is heavy, but I think your R-1 tires (if equipped) will leave more of a mark than the flail. I also understand why they do not want the field rolled, per say, its hard on the horse's legs

Running R4's. It is a 78 inch JD flail.
Apparently the reason not to roll is it can affect water flow and aeration.
Don't know how much the weight of the flail will really affect it though. We're going to try the flail to see how it does and how the cut is.

 

[5030]

One thing I know for sure, with the cost of fuel today, every blade of grass in my yard will be cut very short this year.

 

[wirlybird]

One thing I know for sure, with the cost of fuel today, every blade of grass in my yard will be cut very short this year.

No kidding!

 

[5030]

Nice thing about all my ground is, it's in hay so mowing it is profit based anyway. It gets cut short no matter what. I keep my disc bine set at 1.5" off the ground.

 

[droy]

One thing I know for sure, with the cost of fuel today, every blade of grass in my yard will be cut very short this year.

No grazing animals on my </> 10 ac pasture; Wife likes to keep it looking like a lawn so strongly considering a weak glyphosate mix to do a “burn back” as a fuel ($$$) saver.

 

[Bill Guenthner]

As mentioned, they are practice polo fields and have to be 1.5 inch max. Clippings also have to be very short, as in you can't see them, or they must be removed from the surface so the horses won't slip on them.

You’re in the wrong place. You need to talk to the groundskeeper at a golf course.