Mowing over drain field

[bajabum]

I had a septic system installed in 2002, standard setup.
I live in south central Oregon, just outside Klamath falls.
My question is:
Can I mow the brush that has grown up over the leach field the last 12 years?
I have a 1800 LB tractor on R4's, and a bush hog.
As an alternative, I also have a 13 HP DR mower, that I know won't damage the drain pipes, but I really don't want to use it unless I have to...
(The DR kicks *** at both ends)...

Is the tractor too heavy?

How about If i mow on the diagonal?

Once I get the area mowed, I'd like to seed it with pasture grass.

Any recommendations?

I know, lotta questions, but I thank y'all in advance for any answers!!!

 

[RoyJackson]

Just my opinion...

R-4 tires are pretty wide and with an 1800 lb tractor and (guessing the weight) 600 lb cutter, you should be OK. The soil type will be a factor, however.
Do the mowing when the ground is dry to reduce compacting the soil.
Now, if the area is less then an acre, you might want to do it with the DR cutter...

 

[flusher]

The pipe in my leach field is buried about 3 ft down. I've run over it with my Mahindra 5525 (about 6000 lb dead weight) with no problems. When the septic system was installed, the contractor used a Cat 4200 tractor/loader/backhoe (TLB) to dig the trenches and backfill. He used the TLB to pack the fill in the leach field trench. That thing weighed at least 10,000 lb. No problems after nearly 10 years.

 

[oosik]

After 32 years I had to have my drain field replaced. It's not cheap. I'd error on the side of caution and cut it with the DR. You know this will be safe - why take a chance. There are just too many variables to give you an educated guess on using the tractor.

 

[breadtrk]

If you had it installed, then you know how deep everything is and what it is made of. Like has been suggested, do it when dry. I might to the area over the actual tank with the DR but your pipes should be at least 3 ft down if there was an inkling of permits or codes involved. That small tractor isn't going to hurt those pipes.

 

[Clint S]

I too do not think the small tractor will hurt it. I would mow across it and not with it. The short time you are on it should not hurt it. I would stay off the tank and distribution box though. At my parents house there are 2 pipes under the driveway to the leach field with no issues. I am always extra careful with mine though.

 

[Gary Fowler]

If they are properly installed or at minimum of 18" deep, then running over them with a heavy 10000# tractor isn't going to hurt them. I put in a light 4" plastic pipe for a drain to get the patio runoff to go over a slight rise and I didn't want a trench in the yard. The pipe was so flexible that I could crush it with my hand. It is not more than 4-6" deep in the deepest and I can run over it with my 4000# Kubota B26 and not damage it. NO WAY will you harm a field line that should be at least 24 -36" deep.

 

[DHD]

I don't think all septic drain fields are created equal, some will probably be more forgiven to heavier equipment than others.

I haven't mowed mine with anything heavier than a 600 pound riding lawnmower, for the past 22 years, and the septic still seems health.

My neighbor use to use his John Deere 790 with a 5ft wide RM mower, and had to replace his septic drain field when it was 13 years old.
That 790 with the 5ft mower probably only weighed about 2000 pounds.
He now uses his riding lawn mower on his septic field.

 

[RoyJackson]

My neighbor use to use his John Deere 790 with a 5ft wide RM mower, and had to replace his septic drain field when it was 13 years old.
That 790 with the 5ft mower probably only weighed about 2000 pounds.

Probably closer to 2400-2500 lbs (assuming no loader)...