Small Brush Clearing

[SLOBuds]

Is there such thing as a brush clearing mower, in the size of a riding lawn mower?

I have used our riding lawn more to, basically, use it as a brush hog. My wife can handle that size and do the easier parts of our parcel. But even the easier parts are hard on the lawn mower, and I know that it is not the right tool for the job. I'm replacing the first bearing now, and know it won't be the end. Plus feel kind of guilty for using it the wrong way!

We have looked around some but could not find anything. I'm guessing it would be like a riding mower but much more heavy duty on the suspension and the rest.

Thanks

 

[rekees4300]

I'm not aware of a brush clearing riding mower but there have been many posts about how good the DR Power equipment is. Perhaps their tow-behind would work with your mower? DR Power Equipment - Equipment for Country Properties - Brush Mowers, Wood Chippers, Backhoes, Rototillers, Lawn Vacuums and more

 

[Scooby074]

DR is an option, but it will definately wear you out.

There are Ride-ons available in europe. AS-Motor makes one.

Heres a video of it in action. YouTube - AS-MOTOR AS 911 destroying thick brambles.wmv

Very nice. 4wd and low CG. Im not sure if theyre available in North America,If not, they should be, they'd sell a bunch.

AS-MOTOR : Ausitzmäher

Canycom makes one too. They are available here i think.http://www.canycomsales.com/menu/products/cmx222.php

YouTube - Canycom CMX 222

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqIWx6zip6U&feature=related

No idea on the prices of any of the units, but one is made in germany (As motor) and the other Japan, so id expect some major sticker shock

if you have`a`ATV you could look at a tow behind from DR or Swisher as another option. Good luck!!

 

[coobie]

I would also check this out www.billygoat.com

 

[Ken45101]

Since you want something that your wife can ride you really need to go to a small tractor with a 3 pt rotary cutter (e.g. "bush hog"). Kubota makes some very small tractors. You will probably be limited to a 3 or 3.5' cutter for the smallest models. (You need something beyond a lawn tractor, something with a 3 pt hitch and a PTO to hook up a rotary cutter.)

You could also pick up an older small farm tractor with a bit larger cutter (4-5'). Unless your land is very flat, make sure that it has roll over protection (ROPS) which a lot of the older tractors do not have.

The DR walk behind mower will "go anywhere, do anything" but takes a lot of strength and effort to guide. It will wear you out. The DR tow behind mower is a disappointment IMO, over priced and does not do nearly as good of a job as the walk behind. However, it could probably do the job for you. Swisher has some tow behind "rough cut" mowers are lower cost, I don't know if they do a good job or not.

Ken

 

[2manyrocks]

I can't think of a single ride on brush mower that is like a regular lawn mower. Seems like these things are mostly walk behind units. The old Gravely walk behind had an optional ride on sulky that is about the closest to a regular lawnmower that I can think of.

 

[beenthere]

I'm thinking the most important consideration would be the tires on whatever tractor, that will have to take the punishment of brush stubble. That would be the main reason I wouldn't take my Deere lawn tractors through brush (albeit I cleared out a neighbors newly planted 12 A tree field with some horse-weed growth 8' tall with my JD 425 and 54" mower deck).

When I first moved onto my wooded property, all I had was a 20" Sears push mower with a Clinton engine. Anything I could get up on was chewed down to stubble and mowed 2 acres regularly after that. Now I would use the Stihl brush cutter and make short, easy work of brush up to 2" diam.

 

[magicheater]

Wouldn't it be more effective to remove the brush?

 

[debushau]

The Canycom stuff is crazy expensive. The CMX222 sells for over $13,500 (basically a suped up ride-on mower with 4wd). Their walk behind brush cutter (CG81) is about $9,000 (sort of like a tracked BCS). And their CG431 super-duper stand-on brush cutter for mowing steep ground is more than $70,000! Those are AEBI-like prices.

Another option might be a used Toro Dingo (or similar) with a mower attachment.

 

[Scooby074]

The Canycom stuff is crazy expensive. The CMX222 sells for over $13,500 (basically a suped up ride-on mower with 4wd). Their walk behind brush cutter (CG81) is about $9,000 (sort of like a tracked BCS). And their CG431 super-duper stand-on brush cutter for mowing steep ground is more than $70,000! Those are AEBI-like prices.

Another option might be a used Toro Dingo (or similar) with a mower attachment.

:thumbsup: i knew they were up there. i found a single ad for a single used 222 in california for like 13k. Remember though, that these 222's are 4 wd and commercial quality so the price really isnt out of line.

Many on here run commercial ZTR and front mount ride on mowers that are that much or more, so for some on here, especially if you had enough land to justify, it could be an option as it could do general mowing duty as well.

the stand on flail is mighty impressive. ive seen videos of them mowing terrain so steep you couldnt walk up and ground so soft you couldnt walk across. the low ground pressure of the tracks is amazing. For a commercial operator, it could definitely fill a niche for rough terrain mowing, even at its high price.

 

[whistlepig]

My wife uses our riding tractor for a brush hog most of the time. It took me a while to find something that could survive her ability to break these things. We are on our second Gravely riding tractor. Our first one was an 8163-G. We presently use a 16-G. These are tanks. Overbuilt in every way. They no longer make Gravely riding tractors. If something happens to our 16-G I will be looking for another used Gravely. Nothing in a riding tractor these days is made as stout as these.

 

[jbooth]

Swisher makes a towbehind with its own motor. It can be offset to either side so your present mower when towing would be in cleared ground after the 1st pass. I think DR now makes a selfpowered tow behind also. Several other companies make the tow behind units but Swisher is priced the most reasonable. I have not owned a Swisher but wanted one until I bit the bullet and got a brush cutter for my skid steer. "Priced the most reasonable" always reminds me of this quote. "Its like buying oats, If you are satified with the oats after it has gone through the horse it should be a little cheaper".




Swisher Mower & Machine Co.: Products: Trail Cutters