New land purchase and need advice on mowers...

HuskerInVA · Feb 17, 2005

I'll be buying property soon and I wanted some advice on mowers/rotary cutters.

Property is 12 acres. Currently about 3 acres is finished cut and the rest has been regularly cut with a rotary cutter. It's a fairly wide open and level lot.

I'm trying to maximize my investment on attachments (primarily because my wife will have my hide if I spend too much). I'm looking in the 30-35 hp tractor range (but that's another post). I currently have an old Allis Chalmers riding tractor with 42" cut.

I'm wondering if it makes sense to buy a single finish mower 72" to 84" range. Mow the 3 acres more often for lawn appearance then set higher and mow the rest, on an as needed bases.

Other option is pick up a rotary cutter for the large area and use my riding mower for other 3 acres. I'm concerned that this option will take up to much time.

Is anyone out there using there finish mower in this method?

Thanks in advance. This is a great forum!!!

jwstewar · Feb 17, 2005

I would be hesitant to use the finish mower on the field. You are looking at least $1500 piece of equipment in that size. Sure would hate to hit something that "appeared" in the field and break something - big repair bill /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. I would take $500 - $600 and buy a cheap 5' KK rotary cutter from TSC and use it on the field. It'll pay for itself the first time you hit something and break shear pin vs. destroying the whole mower.

Cutters & mowers are designed for totally separate uses and shouldn't overlap - usually. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

BB_TX · Feb 17, 2005

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I would certainly agree with you on this one. My house sets on an acre that I mow with a 42" lawn tractor. With the house, walks, drive, flower beds, storage building, etc. I am probably mowing something over 1/2 acre. That takes quite a while. I would not want to mow 3 acres a week with that mower.
But I agree with Jim. I would not want to use an expensive finish mower to cut the other 9 acres. Sooner or later there is going to be something hiding in that 6" to 12" tall grass that wasn't there the last time. I would go with a smaller less expensive finish mower for the lawn and an inexpensive 6" rotary cutter for the rest. However, if the 3 acres is truly a lawn, a 30-35 hp tractor may be a bit much for lawn grass maintenance. If you can only have one, you may want to look at a smaller tractor. Something that can mow a lawn and still run a 4' to 5' rotary cutter.

armyret · Feb 17, 2005

No Advice but will tell you of my experience.
I have 16 acres with a yard of aprox 3 acres and 10 acres of hay field that is level to moderate level. I have a b7800 and a 5' finishing mower. I mow the yard at about 2 and 1/2 inch and then raise the blade height to 3 to 4 inches and cut my hay field normally only two to three times a year,\ the hay field is now begining to look like the yard. I would not dream of changing anything, completely satisfied. Have had no problems with the finishing mower just wish I had got a 72 inch instead of 60 inch. I got mine finishing mower that was new but had been on the lot for sometime for $995. so the paint was faded some. No problems it was a brush hog brand.
I can mow my yard 3 acres in about 2 hours when the sun goes down. It is a rear dischage it really helps if the grass in the yard or hay field is dry does not leave a trail. Happy mowing whichever way you go.

Riddler · Feb 17, 2005

I posted a thread on a very similar question recently. I have decided to go the way Army has gone, with a RFM as my one cutting implement. Unfortunately, I doubt I will get as lucky as he did on the price of the unit that I buy.

I plan to cut my field as high a possible at first, and perhaps run a landscape rake over it few times before I decrease the cutting height. Once the field is clear of possible obstructions, I am relatively sure it will stay that way. To me, it is worth the extra effort up front to enjoy a cleaner appearance for years to come.

Soundguy · Feb 18, 2005

The finish mower cutting the pasture wil just about ruin it.. and cutting 3ac on a rider mower WILL ruin it.. My neighbor has been thru 2 JD' riders on his 3 ac pasture sice I've been here ( 5 ys ). You will also eat up alotta time cutting 3 ac on a 42" cut..

Get a rotary cutter for the brush, and just cut yourself a small lawn around the house with the rider.. say 1/4 to 1/2 acer. Mow the rest of the '3' with the rotary cutter more often and it will give an 'almost' lawn appearance.

Soundguy