tractor mounted weed eater

[deereman64]

Why do you say that? They look easy to set up and run and cost only about $1300 which is not that bad for a specialized hydraulic tractor implement. Check out the videos on their website. I'd say it would take about half an hour to set up the first time and ten minutes to master the technique.

Im sure the setup is very straight forward. I was concerned about the safety aspects of its use. That cutter coming through long grass could easliy missed by an onlooker

 

[IslandTractor]

Im sure the setup is very straight forward. I was concerned about the safety aspects of its use. That cutter coming through long grass could easliy missed by an onlooker

That is true I guess though presumably the operator knows the sickle is there and would not "mow" any onlookers. Compared to the ubiquitous bush hogs that can launch lethal projectiles at any moment I'd say a sickle mower is pretty safe. Even if it hit you, which would not be pleasant, it would nibble at ankles and be unlikely to inflict a lethal injury which is not true of a bush hog accident. I have a walk behind sickle mower (Garden Way) and feel sickles are probably the safest type of mower in general. They don't have any high speed whirling parts which is a major advantage safetywise.

 

[Maknwine]

Jeez Louise I am glad I found this thread. I have been looking high and low for a vineyard trimmer and the cheapest I could find was BDI Machinery's acampo cutter bar.

This looks pretty good for doing 10 acres of dormant pruning as well as the summer pruning we do to get ready for harvest. Now I know the name I'll search the www to see if there's any good/bad info on them. If you look at their website, that vineyard video is exactly what I need. Thanks TBN, hopefully now my arms will shorten back to their normal length from holding the gas trimmer.

 

[clemsonfor]

just start using herbicide. Use glyphosate up close to anything that would need to be weedeated, like buildings poles and flower bed edges, then all you have to do is mow around and you can cover up to the edge, then you will only need to touch up to kill crabgrass and the other stuff that sprouts every few weeks.

 

[jtmaher47]

The DR company in Vermont has a 3 pt mounted trimmer you might want to investigate.. Looking that way myself.

 

[CobyRupert]

The DR company in Vermont has a 3 pt mounted trimmer you might want to investigate.. Looking that way myself.

I saw one of these on display at the local fair. At the time I wondered if having a hydraulic cylinder swing it in and out would be better than the spring arm. But watching the video on the DR site makes the spring arm look suitable. Maybe having both (a spring mounted/anchored hydraulic cylinder, if possible) would be best.

It would be interesting to hear from someone who has one.

Edit: Their website has los and lots or reviews from customers, both pros and cons, on this product.