Field Mow'n in Maine - TC18 in action

[hazmat]

Re: Field Mow\'n in Maine - TC18 in action

The "old" man says he's ready for a job with the highway dept. What do ya think?

The Tractor and Cutter performed better than expected. Got the fields mowed in less time than I thought. Some rocks did do a number on the blades though (didn't get a pic of them). I'll have to bring my big socket & pipe up next time to get them off for sharpening.

 

[F350Lawman]

Re: Field Mow\'n in Maine - TC18 in action

I'll have to bring my big socket & pipe up next time to get them off for sharpening.

I was planning on just using a good cordless drill with one of those sharpening stones attached. They sell them at HD for about $10 for mower blades, I suppose a RM will take longer.

Seems much easier, maybe not as precise. Do you think that will work?

 

[hazmat]

Re: Field Mow\'n in Maine - TC18 in action

might work, I saw a 4" ryobi angle grinder at the Depot for $25, I thought long and hard about getting it, considering I spent $16.99 for the socket at sears to be able to use my bench grinder.

 

[jinman]

Re: Field Mow\'n in Maine - TC18 in action

Hazmat, that's a very nice series of photos. Was this a "native" field that had never been mowed before? I was a little surprised to see many of the same weeds/grasses that we have here in Texas. Of course, our fields are mostly brown right now. It's been close to a month since we've had any rain. Mowing is a very, very dusty job. Also, I jokingly call my rotary cutter a "rock" cutter since I have so many limestone and sandstone rocks. Just when I think I have them all picked up, I find new ones. I generally sharpen my cutter blades once per season and you can do it very successfully with an angle grinder as you suggest. Just use your loader to set the cutter on its side and grind away./forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I have one suggestion that will make your mowing much more comfortable and your tractor more maneuverable. I'd take that loader off for that big of a job. It really does make the tractor ride much better, even if all you have is small bumps.

 

[MikePA]

Re: Field Mow\'n in Maine - TC18 in action

<font color="blue"> I'd take that loader off for that big of a job </font>
I'd imagine that the loader is needed to offset the weight of the cutter, right Hazmat?

 

[hazmat]

Re: Field Mow\'n in Maine - TC18 in action

The field has been mowed before, this is the first time this season. According to the U Maine Ext office, it should be done three times per year to minimize weed growth so the grasses & clover can thrive. The "back forty" was weedier than the rest.

Regarding the loader, I left it on for counterweight, I don't have any front weights. I was kind of worried about popping wheelies with the 450# cutter on the 1,600# tractor. Manuvering was a breeze - the field is wide open. Especially compared to the dozens of trees I have to navigate around at my house (I use the MMM there w/ no FEL).

 

[Inspector507]

Re: Field Mow\'n in Maine - TC18 in action

Looks like you figured out the dilemma of what to do with that new camera /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Those pics looked great

Jerry

 

[jimg]

Re: Field Mow\'n in Maine - TC18 in action

Steve,
Could you give more detail...like times and field sizes. Looks like the 18 did just fine too. How was the radiator screen when you were done? Was it pretty clogged up? ALso how wide is the bush mower...48"? jimg

 

[jimg]

Re: Field Mow\'n in Maine - TC18 in action

Wouldnt sharpening on the machine put the blade out of balance?? All of the blade sharpening Im aquainted w/ was off the machine and they were balanced before being put back on. Seems that an even bigger blade would want the same drill. jimg

 

[Justaplain]

Re: Field Mow\'n in Maine - TC18 in action

If you cut the tops of some of those Maine rocks you are goiing to need more than a cordless drill to put an edge back on. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif bcs