Recommended ways to tackle big yard

flyinj · Jun 14, 2005

Hi,

In august 2003 I moved up to central PA and bought a home on 6.25 acres (All grass). Since I was moving up from Florida from my .25 acre rental house, I only had a 22" Murry push mower. Researched machines and decided on the BX2200 w/60"MMM for mowing due to quality, warranty and cost. Since I had just put a mighty hefty down payment on the house (first home purchase), I didn't consider anything bigger (more expensive) than the BX (wife woudln't let me, she wanted me to get the $1999 Craftsman to cut 6+ acres). I also use the BX in the winter with the 60" plow to clear snow from our private drive.

Right now it takes me about 4 hours to completely cut the lawn with the BX and 60"MMM (not counting trimming, that takes another hour behing push mower and weed whacker). I was wondering if anybody had some suggesstions on an ideal setup that would save me some time. Now that I've recovered from the house down payment, I'm thinking about some upgrades to my mowing situation. I see the B series has a 72" deck available, but I don't know if it would be worth the upgrade. I also thought about dragging a 9' gang reel behind the BX, but from what I've read, that wouldn't be a good solution in my situation.

We do have an old 1986 John Deere 160 that my father-in-law gave us my wife used to help cut with, but she is pregnent with our first baby and I'm keeping her off the equipment. Even if she wasn't, the old JD is tempermental and will randomly die until it cools down for a couple hours.

If anybody has ideas on good set-ups that would work for 6.25 acres, I'd be happy to hear. Thank you in advance for your time.

flyinJ

Dargo · Jun 14, 2005

I mow 12 acres every week. With a 84" deck on my tractor it took me almost 7 hours with trimming. I bought a Grasshopper zero turn radius front mount diesel mower - 61" deck (well, 2 of 'em now) and can complete mowing and trimming in 4 hours. With both Grasshoppers going, wife on 1, I can mow and trim 12 acres in 2 hours.

grandad · Jun 14, 2005

I've been considering two options for my 6 acres of pasture-type grass. Option 1 is adding a tag-along mower behind my BX2230 so it mows another 60" beside the 54" deck on the BX. Option 2 is an 84" or larger 3pt finish mower for the big tractor. The tag-along is cheaper, but it won't last as long, uses more fuel, it's one more engine to maintain, and the BX is pretty rough riding on my sort-of smooth fields. The 3pt costs more, but will probably get the job done about as quick since you can run a bit faster on the bigger tractor without jarring your fillings out. Either way, the BX does the close in work, along with a push mower.

Since you don't have the bigger tractor option (at least not yet! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ), you might think about the tag along. You can double your cutting width for under $2,000, and keep all the flexibility for using your BX for other work also.

Egon · Jun 15, 2005

Have you condidered a change in landscaping to cut down on mowing?

Egon

Boone · Jun 15, 2005

Have you condidered a change in landscaping to cut down on mowing?

Egon
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I use my horse and mule to keep things under control.

I think the tag along mowers sound like a good way to get things done faster, at a low cost.

btolle · Jun 15, 2005

( and the BX is pretty rough riding on my sort-of smooth fields.
)

Have you changed the air pressure from what the dealer put in the tires? When I picked up my B7510 they had aired the tires up to the pressure the owners manual calls for and it rode like buckboard. I lowered the air pressure by about 10 pounds and it helped the ride considerably.

Bill Tolle

Berniep · Jun 15, 2005

Have you condidered a change in landscaping to cut down on mowing? 

That was my first thought also. If you have any of it that you can let grow and just bush hog it once or twice a year. If not a zero turn mower will definitley speed things up. I could not beleive how much faster I can get the mowing done with my Dixon. With a little chemical edging (roundup) around the trees and outbuildings, and changing some things around so I can get the mower between/around everything, I have eliminated push mowing and cut way back on string trimming

PBinWA · Jun 15, 2005

( Have you condidered a change in landscaping to cut down on mowing? 

That was my first thought also. If you have any of it that you can let grow and just bush hog it once or twice a year. If not a zero turn mower will definitley speed things up. I could not beleive how much faster I can get the mowing done with my Dixon. With a little chemical edging (roundup) around the trees and outbuildings, and changing some things around so I can get the mower between/around everything, I have eliminated push mowing and cut way back on string trimming
)

I'll second this recommendation. When I first moved to my 5 acres. I spent too much time mowing.

This year I let around two acres go to pasture and I now have some great fields of Daisies. I figure I brush hog it all down at most 2-3 times a year. Next year it will be three acres of pasture or more if I can. I'm trying to re-forest some of it but that actually creates more work when you have to mow around seedlings and try to keep the weeds from competing with the trees.

I mow paths for walking and around the trees that I planted and it is a nice effect. The high pasture also covers up the mole holes that drive me crazy (out of sight - out of mind).

You could rent a tiller early next spring and till up an acre or two and go crazy with some wildflower mix. Or even selectively till little patches. I planted sunflowers (used bird seed) on half an acre and they are just starting to get some flower buds now. I think they will look great in another month.

I had a tow behind mower for my Craftsman LawnMower that allowed me to cut an 8 foot swath. It worked well except for being a little awkward on corners. It works great for trimming around the big Douglas Fir trees I have.

If money were no issue and you like the big lawn then I would consider a ZTR - they are very cool.

Lockport · Jun 15, 2005

You should look into a gang mower. Go to www.northerntools.com and search for gang mowers. 7 reel units 4 acres per hour, $1299 - even folds for storage!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

flyinj · Jun 15, 2005

Thanks for all the replies!

I would eventually like to get a ZTR-like mower, but thats a bit out of my price range at the moment.

I have consider some landscaping changes, but could only find about 1 acre that I could let go to pasture and it's pretty close to the house, I'd be afraid of an increase in insects.

I am very interested in a pull behind that I can offset to increase my cutting swath. I have the 60"MMM and could get another 60" pull behind. How much overlap is there typically. Any additional testamonials on this type of setup? They sell them at the Tractor Supply Company not far from here.

I thought about the gang reel, but from what I've read, it wouldn't work well for my yard.

BX2230_Lockport - How does that Snowblower attachment work for you. My dealer said says they really throw the snow.

Thanks again for all the replies.

flyingJ