Brush hog vs finish mower

[JMER817]

I'm going to have approx 3 acres of lawn that I will mow only 2 or 3 times a year. Just want to keep it tamed. I currently have a brush hog that will do the job, but may want to have more of a finish cut so thinking about a finish mower. Will a finish mower handle grass that will be at times 12" tall? I have 35hp at pto and thinking of a 72" rear mower.

 

[motownbrowne]

What about a flail mower?

 

[TripleR]

We have rotary cutters and finish mowers, 12" grass will smoke the belts on our finish mower.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I'm going to have approx 3 acres of lawn that I will mow only 2 or 3 times a year. Just want to keep it tamed. I currently have a brush hog that will do the job, but may want to have more of a finish cut so thinking about a finish mower. Will a finish mower handle grass that will be at times 12" tall? I have 35hp at pto and thinking of a 72" rear mower.

No. I run a 5 ft King Kutter finish mower and once the grass hits 6 to 8 inches I have waited too long. They just aren't made for taller material. My two cents...

 

[jeff9366]

If you do not need to use the Bush Hog for saplings, sharpen the blades a bit with an angle grinder and an improved cut will result.

 

[DK35vince]

Finish mowers do not work well in deep grass and will slip the belts.

 

[jenkinsph]

I agree with others that the brush hog would be a better choice for tall grass.

If it were me I would cut more frequently with a finish mower as this will retain a better finished appearance and less weeds problems. Infrequent mowing will lead to weeds taking over your lawn area. I think if you compare the costs vs. benefits that more frequent mowing will be the better long term solution.

 

[wisoak]

CID Attachments X-treme medium flow brush cutter, doesn't stop at much...

 

[Thomas]

Kinda of lot ask of finish mower,more so if the grass damp.

 

[LD1]

Agree with others. Use a bushhog.

And with sharp blades, and only knocking it down from 10-12" a rotary cutter leaves a pretty good finish already IMO. I actually think when cutting 10" grass, a good rotary cutter leaves a better finish than a finish mower. The only thing the finish mower is better for is rolling terrain, as a bushhog will cut more uneven if the terrain is rolling, since it is basically one big blade. (5 or 6' on a fixed plane)

 

[brin]

No. I run a 5 ft King Kutter finish mower and once the grass hits 6 to 8 inches I have waited too long. They just aren't made for taller material. My two cents...

:thumbsup:

 

[Rocky Hoffler]

Maybe in Michigan mowing three times a year is fine but If your concern is for it to look good seems moot when it's only going to look good 3 times a year the difference between a good and bad haircut is about a week
Just kidding