Suggestions for mowing around new fence

[suttles]

We just had a fence build around the perimeter of our property. This is a Bekkaert solidlock fixed knot.

I bushhogged after it was finished the other day and I realized that we are going to have to be very careful when getting to the end of the pasture and making a turn that the bushhog will extend into the fence.

I think that we should buy something smaller that would not extend while turning because sooner or later it might happen.
I wondered if getting some type of belley mower would be best for mowing the perimeter and after making a couple of rounds then using the 3130 with the bushhog.

We are going to need a smaller mower for out yard after we can get a house built so if there was something that could do yard work and then pasture perimeter that would be even better.

Thanks,
sandy

 

[Volfandt]

I don't know the dimensions of your fencing but I've found that the best way to control vegitation around fencing is to spray the base of the fence and out about 6" or so with Roundup. It will kill off the grass and whatver else may try to grow and gives a a nice buffer so you don't have to mow so closely.
As for mower type, a MMM or a small lawn mwer with a belly mower will be much more manuverable around the fencing but you'll still have problems cutting the corners, but not as bad as with a rear cutter. If you spray out a bit in the corners (like I do) so you can cut them with the cutter of your choice and you'll not be needing the weed eater as much

Good luck
Volfandt

 

[suttles]

I thought we would spray some around under the fence but it is the changing directions and always remembering to be several feet from the fence.

With the fence going all the way to the ground the change of directions makes the bushhog swing way out and now we will have to be several feet from the fence so that we don't hit it while we go back and forth.

I think we will have to be about twice the width of the tractor and bushhog before we can change directions and the bushhog not hit the fence.

This fence cost us more than I ever thought we would pay for any fence. I have to be sure we keep it in good shape.

Thanks
sandy

 

[PBinWA]

I bought a used Flail Mower this year and sold my brush hog. That big tail is a weapon. If Criagslist is in your area start looking for a Flail mower.

Otherwise, Swisher makes a fence mower that tows behind a mower/tractor and offsets.

I just use Roundup for right along the fence line and drive my ride-on mower around the perimeter most of the time. I can actually get pretty close with the Flail mower but you have to still skip the corners.

 

[suttles]

What is a Flail Mower?

 

[MarkV]

Sandy, A flail mower uses small blades referred to as hammers that swing on a common shaft. Without a large pair of blades, like a bush hog, it does not have to be as long as a bush hog type of mower. Flail mower also will not throw something like a rock the way a bush hog will so they are used by cities in more populated areas. The down side is that they do not cut small trees and such as well as a bush hog and they are expensive.

If I understand your mowing problem correctly, you are making a turn at the end of each pass and going back the opposite direction. That is when you are worried about hitting the fence. Would you not solve the problem by making a perimeter cut along the fence before you start making your back and forth passes?

MarkV