Leach fields and Tractors

   / Leach fields and Tractors #1  

orlo

Platinum Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2005
Messages
678
Location
Guildhall, VT
Tractor
JD 2305/JD 4720 cab
Hi:

This isn't exactly a tractor question but I figure folks here would know. Does mowing grass that's over a leach field (either flat or raised) with a heavy tractor vs a light lawn mower do any significant damage?
 
   / Leach fields and Tractors #2  
No, as long as the field is properly constructed and functioning , not saturated, you should not have a problem.
 
   / Leach fields and Tractors
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Thanks,
 
   / Leach fields and Tractors #4  
I agree with Dave --- however, with just a couple of caveats. What type of soil do you have? Lot's of clay?

Where is your field located? Well drained, sloping area of your property? Or is it a bit lower -- more shaded and tends to be a little wetter than some of the rest of the property?

How big is your tractor? 2000 x 20 series or 4000 x 20 series? I think that I'd refrain from driving over my leach field if I had a tractor that went 4,500 lbs (with FEL) vs a tractor that was 2,500 lbs.

AKfish
 
   / Leach fields and Tractors
  • Thread Starter
#5  
It's up on a mound so no water accumulates there. Right now I'm mowing with a 2305 but there is a possibility I could be mowing with a 3320.
 
   / Leach fields and Tractors #6  
I mow our septic field using an X585, which is just a bit lighter than a 2305 if there is no FEL on the 2305. When we had the house built, the septic contractor just warned me about using too big of a tractor on the field. Just my $.10 worth of an opinion.

orlo said:
It's up on a mound so no water accumulates there. Right now I'm mowing with a 2305 but there is a possibility I could be mowing with a 3320.
 
   / Leach fields and Tractors
  • Thread Starter
#7  
I always keep the FEL on my 2305 (and the 3320) when mowing but I take the bucket off. I do have loaded R4's on the 2305. I'm probably up a little over 2300lbs when I mow. I'll probably ask the septic guy that's serviced it. If I need to I could mow it with a Craftsman GT5000 if he thought it was a problem.
 
   / Leach fields and Tractors #8  
I drive my TC29D over it all the time. I have asked the septic guy that installed it and said no problem even with my tractor.


murph
 
   / Leach fields and Tractors #9  
When I was growing up in SD, we generally made the effort to avoid driving the tractor in areas that might suffer from the weight of the tractor. These were large Ag machines that were double the weight of the CUT's we're talking about now.

Nonetheless, soil compaction was/is a major reason why tractor and tire companies have invested alot of research dollars over the years to address.

That said, I know what part of my lawn will melt off all the snow first thing in the Spring. I also know where the grass will green up first thing as well.

Most leach fields up here are good for 7-10 years at the outside. However, if I might get another year out of my leach field by mowing it with the lawnmower vs my tractor...

The septic guy is certainly correct in his assertion that mowing with your tractor won't cause any major damage to your septic system.

But I doubt that it will "improve" the function of your system and IMO; I want the most drainage from my leach field for as long as I can get it.

Akfish
 
   / Leach fields and Tractors #10  
AK- My God- We pump our tanks maybe every 6-7 years, our tile beds last until we plug them up, our present one is about 40yrs old. This one is in gravel soil but down around Lake Ontario they are in clay soil. The one I grew up on was about 25yrs old and still OK when I left.
Each year they pass new regs regarding septic systems here in Ontario. Getting very pricey to install a new one the way they want it, plus the new ones aren't as good as many of the oldies. At one point by BIL had to place 3' of sand on what was going to be his front lawn so he could install the weepers there. The soil underneath was also sand, but that didn't matter, could have been bedrock according to the inspector. He had to truck in the extra sand, then raise his house plans 3' to match to get the required fall to the tank....
Our lawn is mostly pit-run with 1" of topsoil. I don't mow with my 4300(R4s) but I am driving over it at least once a week, across the tile bed.
 

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