How do you mow waist high grass?

[Iplayfarmer]

I'm with Bird...

Mow it with a swather and then bale it. "Waist high grass" is fetching $80 to $100 or more per ton around here.

 

[Egon]

waist high grass with a finish mower? .. Boy.. that mower is going to be a POS when it is returned

Why? I've done it more than once or twice with no problems. Really cleaned up the underside of my MM Mower

Think Tall Grass prairie is about six feet tall. Thats what was growing in many areas.

 

[Soundguy]

Yep.. I love that 'garden tractor' terminology, AKA riding lawnmower...

Soundguy

Hi All,

Been sitting and kind of chuckling about some of the responses so finally decided to jump in.
How do you cut a field of 6' high grass\weeds ? On a garden. What else.

Moved from the city ( 25' x 127' lot ) to the country. Now here I am, and new country boy with 2.5 acres. From part around the house\front grass and about 100' behind the house had been kept but the rest was let to go wild.
After trying to cut the front with a push lawn mower, decided to get a "tractor". Now, being a city boy, these lawn and garden guys really suck you in as doesn't matter how big it is, as long as you call it tractor, you can fish the city boys in. Not alot of money after buying house. Bout 3/4 mile up the road is a dealer what has used lawn " tractors " so away you go. Bought myself used 11.5 hp for $900. Now, I am a country boy, Got myself a tractor. So, got a tractor but how do you get it home. No truck\no trailer and dealer didn't even talk about delivery. So, what else, drive it home. It's a tractor.


Tom

 

[neverenough]

Well, a friend of mine who sadly suffers mental problems had managed to grow 6 foot high grass. She figured that since she had ag zoning no one could do anything about it. Of course several people called the health department. She called me and asked how I got rid of it here. I said, well, I have never had grass get to 6 feet tall! In my horse pasture it has gotten to about 2 feet maybe twice in years with a lot of rain. That was mowable as long as I went slow. I figured the only way she was getting rid of grass that tall was with a rotary cutter. I told her I didn't have one yet, that she should rent a tractor with one or see if she could pay a neighbor (had to figure they would be more than happy to get rid of it). Another friend came over with his tractor and cutter and it is down now. So I recently learned it is possible to grow a "lawn" 6 feet high in Ohio. We have had excessive rain this summer! I never actually saw it with my own eyes because I didn't want to, but she is 5'10" and said it was taller than her.

I got 6 ft grass in my back yard where I'm letting it grow. I have quite a few nice trees coming in via nature (that was my goal to get trees to grow naturally). The actual grass blades go up about 4 ft, but the seed chutes go up over 6ft. I'll see if I can get a pic up tonight.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Yep.. I love that 'garden tractor' terminology, AKA riding lawnmower...

Soundguy

No, a Lawn Tractor is a lawnmower. A Garden Tractor has the capacity to pull ground engaging equipment and has PTO either standard or available.

The guys at www.weekendfreedommachines.org will set you straight on that.

 

[Soundguy]

TSC has advertised plenty of 'garden' tractors that are just rider lawnmowers.

Sears has advertised plenty of 'estate' tractors that are just rider lawnmowers.

for a modern unit to be a 'real' -tractor- to me.. it needs at least a cat 0 lift, and a 540 pto. That's my definition for a modern unit anyway. I realize that there are many antiques that did not have a lift, or a pto, ( but did perhaps have a belt pulley ).

I have seen some hybred units that are lawnmower based that had a lift for attachments.. and even a non standard pto arangement.... These fall into a grey area in my classification...

Hit:

http://www.mtdproducts.com/

There web page advertises 'garden tractors'.. aka a rider lawn mower.. etc..

Soundguy

 

[jbrumberg]

soundguy:

Years ago I tried to get my little Ford 1100 classified as a rider mower for tax reasons to no avail. I believe the town assessors used criteria similar to yours. Jay

 

[JimR]

Your neighbor is a moron. Ruining a piece of equipment smashing rocks and leveling high spots with a mower is pure stupidity. Make sure you never lend that guy any tools or your tractor. They probably will be broken when returned. I hope the rental company gets him good for damages. It's one thing to hit a few rocks by accident. It's another to do it intentionally. I bet the rental company has a stipulation for additional charges for abused or damaged equipment.

 

[RegL]

Well, a friend of mine who sadly suffers mental problems had managed to grow 6 foot high grass. She figured that since she had ag zoning no one could do anything about it. Of course several people called the health department. She called me and asked how I got rid of it here. I said, well, I have never had grass get to 6 feet tall! In my horse pasture it has gotten to about 2 feet maybe twice in years with a lot of rain. That was mowable as long as I went slow. I figured the only way she was getting rid of grass that tall was with a rotary cutter. I told her I didn't have one yet, that she should rent a tractor with one or see if she could pay a neighbor (had to figure they would be more than happy to get rid of it). Another friend came over with his tractor and cutter and it is down now. So I recently learned it is possible to grow a "lawn" 6 feet high in Ohio. We have had excessive rain this summer! I never actually saw it with my own eyes because I didn't want to, but she is 5'10" and said it was taller than her.

Man! Things are getting bad when the health police can tell you how long your grass should be on your own property. Are big trees a threat also?

 

[Farwell]

In areas of California, the "Health Police" or what ever name they go by in California, dictate that you can not own a cat in their community that is not fixed.
In some areas of Michigan tall grass or weeds are mowed by the community and the bill is added to the owners property tax.
There is a small area on my property that neighbors complain about my not keeping mowed and neat. It borders on a dirt road that has a steep embankment. A few of the neighbors think that this area is where cement trucks can clean out after pouring a driveway and it is a great place for them to dump their brush, lawn clippings and garden trash. I clean it up once a season with weed whacker and riding lawn mower. Almost every time I clean it up I end up with a flat tire or a dull mower blade. Eventually I am going to change the grade on the embankment, plant grass and make it look nice. Maybe this will discourage the neighbors from using the area as a dumping ground.
Farwell

 

[Soundguy]

Jimr.. it's probably code enforcement that is issueing those citations.. etc.

Same people who won't let you have non-tagged-non running vehicles in your yard.

Soundguy

 

[bncsauve]

Cool movie!

How do you mow waist high grass?

Like this!

 

[sandman2234]

Code enforcement can be a friend or a foe. In the mid 80's, while living in a 70 x 120 lot in town, I bought a 4x4 Ford 1100. In order to justify the cost, I mowed lots for people that were on the list that the city mowers were fixing to mow. I found a way to get the "mow list" on the day they were going to mow, and just started a couple down. Walk up, knock on the door, ask if they wanted to pay me xxx dollars to mow their lot, or pay the city $90/hr with a 4 hour minimun. Several times I was standing on the porch when the mowers pulled up with the city's sticker on their truck. Great money, and usually hard on the bush hog, as they usually got away with not cutting it for about 4 months or more. I finally caught up with one property owner, explained the costs and he kept me busy for years, while slowly building houses on the property. He paid well and worked with my normal work schedule.
Code enforcement is now giving me a hard time about an old run down house my brother lives in (rent free)that he was supposed to maintain. I may be renting a bulldozer or trackhoe for a few hours soon.
David from jax

 

[Soundguy]

Sometimes code enforcement can be a drag though. A buddy of mine needed to do some engine work on his car ( plus body work.. etc. ) It was a good 2 month project.. In any case.. he bought a cheap 'runs' beater and just transfered his tag from his 'good' car to the beater to get him back and forth to work. I would come over on the weekends and help him work on his car. We had all the parts and materials.. it was just a time issue.. car ran good.. just needed a starter, oil pan and clutch, plus a few cosmetic issues.

His neighbor behind him called code enforcement on him the day it went up on jacks to drop the clutch...

They were a real pain about it... In the end, he was going to get the car impounded or he had to move it.. so he sold it to the neighbor across the street.... Who let it set out on his front lawn for the next 2 months while he put the finishing touches on it .. and code enforcement never came back.. go figure???

Soundguy

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Man! Things are getting bad when the health police can tell you how long your grass should be on your own property. Are big trees a threat also?

The county just to the north of us, Jefferson County, merged with Louisville CITY government a few years back. Louisville has had ordinance's in effect for years requiring property owners to maintain them.

Grass/weed cutting applies to any property under 5 acres, and/or adjoining a residential property. Grass/weeds aren't allowed to grow over 10" tall. "Operation Brightside" will serve notice, give owners 21 days, then they show up with an army of weedeaters and tractors to mow it for you. Typically, an average "city lot" will cost owners around $500 to have Brightside mow it. THEN the owner gets a stiff fine on top of that. My mother-in-law had this happen to her a few years back. Fine was $1400 on top of the mowing fee.

Also, no unlicensed cars or trucks stored in residential areas. There is an "exclusion" available to those who register their "collector cars". (NON licensed) They must not be visible from street, sidewalk, or neighboring residential lots.

When City and County Gov. merged, the county area is now under the same restrictions. Some of Jefferson County is still rural. You can only imagine the turmoil that causes.

In the past month, our little "city" of less than 7500 has enacted a simular ordinance. They appointed a code enforcement officer who gets a percentage of fines levied. (All the motivation he needs, I'm sure)

Good or bad, that's the way it is. If people would just keep their surroundings clean, they avoid the wrath of Code enforcement. But in a little redneck town like ours, that just isn't going to happen without a battle.

 

[riptides]

I cut "waste high" all the time.

Rotary cutter. Two day job. I let it dry and make another cut.

-Mike Z.

 

[RegL]

The county just to the north of us, Jefferson County, merged with Louisville CITY government a few years back. Louisville has had ordinance's in effect for years requiring property owners to maintain them.

Grass/weed cutting applies to any property under 5 acres, and/or adjoining a residential property. Grass/weeds aren't allowed to grow over 10" tall. "Operation Brightside" will serve notice, give owners 21 days, then they show up with an army of weedeaters and tractors to mow it for you. Typically, an average "city lot" will cost owners around $500 to have Brightside mow it. THEN the owner gets a stiff fine on top of that. My mother-in-law had this happen to her a few years back. Fine was $1400 on top of the mowing fee.

Also, no unlicensed cars or trucks stored in residential areas. There is an "exclusion" available to those who register their "collector cars". (NON licensed) They must not be visible from street, sidewalk, or neighboring residential lots.

When City and County Gov. merged, the county area is now under the same restrictions. Some of Jefferson County is still rural. You can only imagine the turmoil that causes.

In the past month, our little "city" of less than 7500 has enacted a simular ordinance. They appointed a code enforcement officer who gets a percentage of fines levied. (All the motivation he needs, I'm sure)

Good or bad, that's the way it is. If people would just keep their surroundings clean, they avoid the wrath of Code enforcement. But in a little redneck town like ours, that just isn't going to happen without a battle.

I can see not allowing junk yards, but requiring 5 acre groomed lawns is Communism. No meadows and wild flowers allowed? Next your going to tell me , theyall use that red mulch. LOL.

 

[roxynoodle]

There are country areas in Ohio that have stupid zoning laws. Some places will not let you park in a driveway or own a boat or RV! If you have a guest for more than a week that must park in the driveway you need to get permission. I couldn't believe it when I heard this stuff. I do not have a garage and my vehicles and trailers are in my driveway or even the back yard. Luckily no one can do anything about my unlicensed corvair that needs work.

Chances are my friend with the 6 foot lawn couldn't be in trouble with zoning due to her property being zoned ag, like mine. That is probably why the neighbors chose to complain to the county health dept instead. Probably figured enough complaints and something would be done.

 

[dmccarty]

Farmwithjunk,

Sounds like lawsuit time against the county/city. I did not realize that L'ville had merged with Jefferson county. I could see having the restriction on small lots. Maybe even a acre but 5 acres is beyond stupid. Our house sits on about 4.75 acres and to mow the areas that can't handle the tractor takes a good two hours. To mow with the DR the rest of the place would have to take a good 6-8 hours. Or does woods not count and only "open" areas have to be mowed....

Can't believe the city came to Jefferson county.....

Later,
Dan

 

[John47]

I'm glad I don't have to put up with all that BS down here! I don't even need permits for building! Both Missouri and Arkansas have no state laws on formal building permits. So as long as your outside city limits, on 5 or more acres, do what you want!

When I lived in the foothills of the Sierras, local fire dept's required us to keep the grass down to a decent level, and all flammable materials well away from any structure, but that was because of the major scrub fires we had up there.