Mowing around and between trees

SWB · May 1, 2006

I posted in the Lawn and Garden section but got few responses to the following. I have around 4 acres of old tomatoe field that I built a new house on. I have a grove of live oaks and other trees next to a marsh on one end of the property and am planting trees on two other sides. The ground is very bumpy and uneven. I mow with a CUT (Case DX35) and 5' rotary cutter and get bounced around even on it. I get tired of continually backing up with the rotary cutter to get next to the trees. I would like to get a second machine specifically for mowing around and between the trees on the edges of the property and use the the Cut and 5' mower for the rest. I am looking for suggestions. The few responses I got in the Lawn and Garden section thought that a JD L series lawn tractor would be too light. If I have to go to an expensive riding mower/lawn tractor such as a JD X300 series or better, I may try to find a used subCUT instead. Is the turning radius of a subCUT with a MMM good enough to do what I want? Are there less expensive solutions? Thanks in advance for all your opinions.

Steve B

Bird · May 1, 2006

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The ground is very bumpy and uneven )</font>

It's hard for us to know, or for you to describe, just how bumpy and uneven. Would it be worth your time and trouble to smooth out the bumps with something such as a box blade? How many trees? How far apart? What size trees? You may not have gotten many responses simply because other members may be like me, and just don't know what would be best for the job.

beenthere · May 1, 2006

I stick with the Deere X485 all wheel steer for all my 'around' trees mowing. There is no ROPS so if I can walk under the tree limbs, I can mow under them. The AWS will make quick work of mowing around the trees and turning around on a dime to go in the other direction. I have the 54" deck just because it fits nicely between my trees and a 60" deck would not.
So, boils down to how much room you have around your trees and under the limbs. If a lot of room and height, then a CUT with MMM might be just what you need. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

jcmseven · May 1, 2006

Steve,

I answered your question in the L&G section, for what it's worth. I think you know my thoughts on the matter.

John M

newcountry · May 2, 2006

My BX2230 turning radius is 36 inches with the 60"MMM, if my feeble memory serves me right. I have to do a lot of backing up for all my trees. What about a ZTR? They're not cheap, but cheaper than a sCUT. I'd like to get one but I have no moolah!

Gatorboy · May 2, 2006

How about one of the Billy Goat mowers.

ronjhall · May 2, 2006

Have you considered a MMM. Should be cheaper than a new mower that will cut your lawn. The DX35 can take up to a 84" MMM. Just make sure you plant trees far enough apart to allow for that size mower.

Egon · May 2, 2006

Also consider thoughts on landscaping. Some shrubs/shade tolerant flowers and/or Tall grasses around the base of some of the trees may eliminate some of the more difficult mowing areas.

Egon

pennwalk · May 2, 2006

Steve,
In '95 we replaced a International cub low boy that had a 5' mower deck with a John Deere F525 front mower. Even though the JD has a 4' deck we mow in the same time because it is so manuverable. The deck on the JD is offset to the left so it trims especially well. It only leaves a 7" uncut circle so it is great around trees. One down side is that it scruffs the grass in tight turns so if I am not careful I have bare rings around trees. John Deere doesn't make the F525 any more but I have seen nice used ones in the $1500-$2500 range. You might find it a little hard on your back if your ground is uneven. I have heard that you may get up to 1500 hours of useful life out of one.

Chris

coasterez · May 2, 2006

I second the all-wheel-steer choice. I'm not sure if JD still offers this in their new models. But, there are a lot of 425s and 485s out there for sale used. You should be able to find a good used one for between $4000 to $5000. These are heavy, serious mowers - very stable, fast and nimble. My 425 cuts down to a 13" diameter circle. I too have many trees and flower beds, etc. to mow around. I finish mow about 1.75 acres in about 1.5 hours with a 54" deck and seldom need to do any trimming.

A CUT is just too big for tight spaces and the roll bar often will get in the way. A subCUT, maybe. But, turning radius and agility are key if you have a lot of trees randomly dispersed such that you cannot cut in straight lines.

A ZTR is another option. Though, I'm told they don't do so well on hilly terrain. Or you might consider a walk behind with a trolley.