Kudzu, a pond and a BX2230

[kkesler]

On a roll today, so I will ask another. Would a small sickle mower work on the 2230 for cutting kudzu? We have a pond that has kudzu on the banks (well, more like cliffs as the banks there are near vertical from 2 to 6 feet high) and I need something that will cut out to the side to at least get this stuff off the edges next to the pond.

 

[RonR]

I'm not familiar with kudzu and after doing a 15 minute read about it--I'm GLAD!

A sickle mower would likely work on the BX and it would power it fine.

I would be very nervous about getting close to water as close as you'd need to be with a sickle mower.

I have seen pics before of something that I think would work near a pond. Guys have built a 3PT boom arrangement so they can hang a rotary mower on the end. Depending on how you constructed it, you could extend it farther out than a sickle mower would cut. A mast and winch arrangement, plus the 3PH could control the mower heigth. The good thing is this will keep your BX on firm ground. Sorry, I don't have pics, but I hope this gives you enough to go on.

Not sure a rotary mower could cut your kudzu though.

Best Wishes,
ron

 

[kkesler]

Hi Ron, indeed you are fortunate to not be familiar with kudzu.

Getting further away from the edge is my goal, as now I run the tractor about 12-18 inches from the edge. With the 60 mmm, this gets a good bit of it (and cuts it with ease) but it grows out over the water so I need about 2-3 more feet. Keep in mind it is completely flat, so I am not working on a slope, and the ground is quite hard. I am not worried about cutting that which grows on the bank, just the stuff that is reaching for the sky.

I have considered getting a junk 42"-48" deck that has a gear housing, then welding up bracketry to hang it off the 3 point and use the rear PTO to run it.

The stuff is easy to cut. I have a stihl trimmer and it slices through it like it's not even there, which is what got me started thinking about a small sickle. Guess I could duct tape that to a 2x4 and hold it in my lap.
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[RonR]

Do a search in the build it yourself forum for "boom mower". This isn't the one I was thinking of, but gives a good idea. If you attach the boom to the mower directly over the top of the motor, you could pick up the whole thing probably.

You certainly could build one PTO driven, but by the time you purchased 1 or 2 gearboxes and drivelines, you'd have some serious money invested, plus the time to set it up just right.

I think you could build a boom mower hanging a $50-100 gas operated mower out there and control it with the 3PH and a boom.

If I only had a pond..................................

Years ago, one of my uncles had a 3 acre yard that he cut with a small JD riding mower. He got the idea to buy a cheap push mower and using the handle from it, fabbed that into a tow hitch. He welded a rod to the rear of the JD, dropped the towed mower into that hitch, and increased his width by about 30%. It was SLICK mowing around all his huge trees. First lap around it with the push mower next to the tree. This left a narrow strip between the JD and the pusher. 2nd lap with the towed mower picking up the strip, with the JD farther out--In two trips around the tree, you had a 6ft clearance from it!

ron

 

[Av8r_2230]

One thng the little BX's don't lack is power! If you can find one that can be mounted ot your BX, it'll run it!

 

[Volfandt]

They make scut sized sicklemowers. Some of the distributors that advertize on this site can probably help you out.

I use a 50" sicklemower thats mounted on my ole Wheel Horse 856 garden tractor to mow around a small pond as well as other inclines where I previousy had to use weedeater as the banks are too steep.
It does pretty good and I don't have to use that weedeater nowhere near as much as I used too /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Unfortunately. I'd say a new one for the BX will cost quite a few $$$'s. I don't know what sizes will work nor what prices they'll command but it seems that those who sell scut sized implements are very proud of them....

Volfandt

 

[kkesler]

What you have there is EXACTLY what I need. I do know what you mean about the dollars, too, as the manufacturers of that equipment certainly seem to be proud of it. I have seen older tractors already equipped with sickles sell for less than just the sickle mowers.

Who makes that sickle you are using?

 

[Av8r3400]

test...

 

[kkesler]

I have seen some "used and abused" small decks with a gearbox on them I could get for next to nothing. Don't know about the rpm requirements for those, though. Just seems a sickle would work much better.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Do a search in the build it yourself forum for "boom mower". This isn't the one I was thinking of, but gives a good idea. If you attach the boom to the mower directly over the top of the motor, you could pick up the whole thing probably.

You certainly could build one PTO driven, but by the time you purchased 1 or 2 gearboxes and drivelines, you'd have some serious money invested, plus the time to set it up just right.

I think you could build a boom mower hanging a $50-100 gas operated mower out there and control it with the 3PH and a boom.

If I only had a pond..................................

Years ago, one of my uncles had a 3 acre yard that he cut with a small JD riding mower. He got the idea to buy a cheap push mower and using the handle from it, fabbed that into a tow hitch. He welded a rod to the rear of the JD, dropped the towed mower into that hitch, and increased his width by about 30%. It was SLICK mowing around all his huge trees. First lap around it with the push mower next to the tree. This left a narrow strip between the JD and the pusher. 2nd lap with the towed mower picking up the strip, with the JD farther out--In two trips around the tree, you had a 6ft clearance from it!

ron )</font>

 

[RonR]

Sickles do good in theory. There is some maintenance with keeping the sickle sharp and keeping good clearance between the guards and sickle. A dull sickle and worn out guards and they don't cut worth a hoot.

Weeds also cut better/easier than grass. Some wire grass type stuff won't cut well with the best of mowers.

Have fun,
ron