Buying Advice Optimum machine, for multiple uses?

[ShadowCaver]

Pardon a question that has probably been asked numerous times before , but was not able to quickly find related thread. In mid-Missouri (upper Ozarks), ground is fairly rocky in these beautiful hills. My mom's house is in some of these woods, and although her, dad (recently deceased), my boys, and I have mowed here for some 30 years, there are still a few friendly rocks that grow every year... so, the yard is a challenge at times to mow, and a challenge to keep blades sharp, and windows in-tack! But, since it is a yard, desire to keep it looking nice and trim. Now, we've a ~1 acre lot near a lake ~3/4 mile away, that also desire to keep nice, for times over there. However, as it is even more wooded / secluded, and as I live ~9 hours away, it only gets mowed a couple times a year. On this 1 acre lot, there is maybe 1/4 - 1/3 acre that gets mowed... and at mom's house maybe about the same amount of grass.

Ok, so now the question, with that all said, what would be recommendations that could mow both areas: tall grasses at the lot, and nicer yard at the house? Or, if there is not equipment (relatively inexpensive the better... sending oldest boy to college this coming fall too!) that could do both, then what would recommend for either?

Thanks!

 

[dusty3030]

I'd just pay a neighbor to keep the lot by the lake mowed.
Does mom mow her own place? If so a dependable regular duty / standard sized riding mower.
For the lot by the lake I'd bet you could find a neighbor that would mow it for just the cost of fuel or some other return favor every now and again.
I mowed a widow lady's 5 or so acres for several years. Her worthless kids wouldn't do it when they visited so I just mowed it every other time I mowed mine or when it started getting wooly. She never asked me to do it and I always refused payment.