Whats good to mow a rough area under trees too low for the tractor?

JCS_in_KY · Jul 20, 2009

Do you think these push cutters like the DR or Billy Goat are more reliable than a pull behind like this Swisher Mower & Machine Co.: 44 Inch Tow-Behind Trailcutter ?

JakeBrake · Jul 20, 2009

JCS_in_KY said:
Do you think these push cutters like the DR or Billy Goat are more reliable than a pull behind like this Swisher Mower & Machine Co.: 44 Inch Tow-Behind Trailcutter ?

I have two DR's. A 1996 model with about 450 hours and a 2002 model with about 550 hours. They will definitely do the job and they are very reliable. They can get closer to the trees than any pull behind.

However, DR's will give you a serious full body workout. You will not need to go to the gym after mowing two acres. I think of my DR's as exercise machines.

dangerdoc · Jul 20, 2009

JCS_in_KY said:
I've got an area on my property that we'd like to keep mowed. It's cleared but is a little too rough for a finish mower (the previous property owners used their Grasshopper mower to do it and managed to do quite a bit of damage to the deck). The terrain is a little rough and there are always small branches down from the trees, that and the uneven ground is pretty hard on a regular mower. I'd be perfectly happy with bushhogging it once a month or so but my MF1533 is too tall to get in around the trees. What's a good option to clear an area like that? I was thinking possibly one of the Swisher tow behind roughcut mowers that I could pull with an ATV, other than that I'm not sure what else to try. All total it's about 2 - 2 1/2 acres of land and if I find something that works good for that I'd like to be able to use it to keep an narrow ATV / walking trail clear around part of property which is probably 3000' or so long.
John

I use a pole saw to trim the trees big enough to get under and roundup under the trees I can't get the tractor under.

I have a DR mower that I mow the dam with and occassionally clear in areas that I haven't prepped for mowing or too big to roundup. But honestly, I'm getting too old for that kind of work. A DR will wear your butt into the ground.

Good luck.

JCS_in_KY · Jul 20, 2009

I bet that DR or the one like it will give you a good workout. That's why I was leaning in the direction of something I could use on the tractor or something I could pull with an ATV. The comment about the wife with the weedwacker is a good idea too but I doubt she will go for that one

I also thought about doing with my neighbor does which is buying a used riding mower cheap and using that to mow those areas. They do that and go through a mower every few years because it tears the deck up but if you can get lucky enough to find one for $200.00 or less like they were doing then I guess that's not so bad. I still like the thought of something I could pull behind the quad though but I'm not sure how well it will work. I'll try to take some pictures of the area I'm working on tomorrow and post them.
John

Charlie MacGregor · Jul 21, 2009

I found the DR has a tow behind too. I've never owned a DR but it looks slick, if a little pricey.
http://www.drpower.com/field-brush-mower_tow-behind.aspx?wb-icon

California · Jul 21, 2009

Has anybody tried Weed Badger? Some of their models have feelers out in front of the cutter, like a cat's whiskers, to retract the rotary mower when it reaches the next tree.

tommu56 · Jul 21, 2009

JCS_in_KY said:
Do you think these push cutters like the DR or Billy Goat are more reliable than a pull behind like this Swisher Mower & Machine Co.: 44 Inch Tow-Behind Trailcutter ?

I do have a Swisher trail cutter it would work too but I was trying to get some one to by a saber to see how it worked.http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif before I bought one.

The only thing I would do if you are cutting with the trail cutter is extend the guide in front of the wheel out to the front of the deck to give it a flatter angle so it slides off an obstruction easier.

tom

J_J · Jul 21, 2009

JCS_in_KY ,

I have a 44 in Swisher with a 11 HP Honda engine on it. Should be just the thing, if you don't try and cut branches over 2 in. One single large blade.

J_J · Jul 21, 2009

JCS_in_KY said:
I bet that DR or the one like it will give you a good workout. That's why I was leaning in the direction of something I could use on the tractor or something I could pull with an ATV. The comment about the wife with the weedwacker is a good idea too but I doubt she will go for that one I also thought about doing with my neighbor does which is buying a used riding mower cheap and using that to mow those areas. They do that and go through a mower every few years because it tears the deck up but if you can get lucky enough to find one for $200.00 or less like they were doing then I guess that's not so bad. I still like the thought of something I could pull behind the quad though but I'm not sure how well it will work. I'll try to take some pictures of the area I'm working on tomorrow and post them.
John

If you could find a 42 in Dixie Chopper, you could cut just about anything and enjoy doing it. The deck on it is 1/4, and the engine is a Kohler Magnum 18 or 20 HP. It is Hydrostatic, and can turn on a dime. I had several of those and graduated up to the 60 in Choppers. Someone once ask me how come you cut so fast on that thing. I simply said because I can.

R_squared · Jul 21, 2009

Most of the equipment rental shops in our area have the Billy Goat mowers for rent. You might want to rent one for a weekend to try it out. They have a straight blade that chops the grass, where a conventional lawn mower mulches. DR does offer a string trimmer attachment that replaces the blade. This is good for rocky areas. They also offer a 42 inch front mounted mower pan that adjusts from 2 to 4 1/2 inches. The DR brush attachment rides on skids and cuts at a fixed 4 1/2 inch height. As others have said, it can be a handful. I try not to maneuver it like a 22 inch conventional lawn mower. Keeping the skids on the ground and using reverse helps conserve your energy. You will be amazed at what they can cut down. A good friend of mine has a similar situation as you and what he does is trim the really low branches and mows with a John Deere 110 riding mower. He mows over just about anything with his JD 110. I borrowed it for a weekend and was impressed with how well it maneuvered between the trees and how well it could cut tall grass. I think you have several solutions available to you. Good luck with your final choice.