Offset Finish Mower

CJBOTA · Mar 26, 2010

Last year I started a small orchard ( 1500 ) trees. At this time I can mow the entire orchard with a standard finish mower. As the trees get larger I am going to want to reach under them and won't be able to get close to the tree because of the roll over bar. I was wondering if there is such a thing as an offset finish mower that would reach in further on one side.
Please don't question why I am using a finish mower instead of a brush hog. I like my orchard to look like a golf course, which I know is stupid but it's my orchard and that's the way I roll.
Anyway If anyone knows if or who makes an offset mower I would appreciate the input? Thanks.....cj from ohio

quicksandfarmer · Mar 26, 2010

You could certainly get a flail mower with offset, there are even some where the offset is hydraulicly operated. Is the cut golf course quality? Well, maybe a public course...

Ductape · Mar 27, 2010

Swisher makes a finish trail-mower that can be offset. Of course........ then you have to gas them up since they are not PTO powered.

Glen Watkins · Mar 27, 2010

Where I mow I have a lot of trees and I was thinking about a Sickle Bar mower!

Frontier Equipment adds longer Sickle-Bar Mower to lineup

tessiers · Mar 27, 2010

Glen Watkins said:
Where I mow I have a lot of trees and I was thinking about a Sickle Bar mower!

Frontier Equipment adds longer Sickle-Bar Mower to lineup

My thoughts exactly, I have a john deere #5 that works awsome, with a 7' reach.

Dead Horse · Mar 28, 2010

How big an area are you mowing, how far apart are the trees, what is the capacity of your tractor?

I own an apple orchard. it has four stages of maturity. Each level of maturity is a different technical challenge.

Without much information, I would point you to a slewing flail mower, PTO driven, outfitted with finish hammers, sized for your tractor's weight and capacity.

sunnyside360 · Mar 28, 2010

Glen Watkins said:
Where I mow I have a lot of trees and I was thinking about a Sickle Bar mower!

Frontier Equipment adds longer Sickle-Bar Mower to lineup

I have this mower and it works very well for my applications. Also, it is very simple and well made ( from Italy?). I would recommend it for sickle bar mower use.

Should add that you can mow down to about 1.5 to 2 inches of grass height.

sixdogs · Mar 30, 2010

Not sure if it will work for you but I bought a 7 ft Woods mower and swung it to one side with the tractor link arms. I can go maybe 18" under my trees.

rbargeron · Mar 30, 2010

Over the years there have been several offset mower designs with swing-away extensions for mowing in the tree row without having to feed the mower in and out between plants. Check out the mower page at Ochard Equipment . Scroll down to see a few examples. The big deal here is avoiding damage to tree trunks and the fruit, while reducing the bulk of ground cover foliage competing with the trees for nutrients. Another approach is using an orchard herbicide to clear a stripe at the tree row.