And if Tom doesn't mind, I'd like to ask a follow up question: Can a walk behind brush hog handle youpon holly that was cut once, but is growing strongly once again?

I don't want a tractor in my mixed forest, banging into trees.

Thanks, Terry

I have used a DR brushcutter to clear 3-4 acres. It works fairly well and cut small trees (1-2 inches)down without much trouble. I just rented one for a day from a local hardware store.

Thanks, 1truett. The DR is sort of the Cadillac of such equipment, esp. price-wise! And for the most part, I'd not be cutting brush per se, but alfalfa. I suppose I could use it to cut through some willow brush in a spot we wish to make a trail. At any rate, it worked for your needs. Anyone else?

+oM

What about hiring someone with a tractor w/ brush hog? That's what I do. Much cheaper than buying them.

"Also, since my tree rows are in staggered arrangement, it would be difficult to accomplish this with a tractor/brush hog combo."

I think that is why he wasn't considering a tractor with a brush hog.

99% of what I cut down with the DR was grass and nettles above my head with the occasional small tree/bush. It was less than $100 to rent the DR for a 24 hour period so doing that a few times a year is a pretty good deal compared to buying one for a few thousand.

He didn't say how much spacing. There are different sizes for tractor with brush hog as well that would make it easier to mow in limited space.

Trees are (Will be, actually) 8'x8' spacing, aprox. Staggered arrangement, so yes, with a sufficiently small tractor/mower combo, one could make a pass the long way down the rows, but there would be little areas between each tree that would have to be gotten somehow else. No cross-cutting will be possible.

1truett, that rental doesn't sound bad. I may end up doing just that. But I'm going to need the thing for, like ten years or so. We'll see.

+oM

If you're going to walk behind a hog, watch out for getting smelly stuff on your feet . . .

;-)

The waste products of this type of hog are all gaseous and particulate matter!
;^)

+oM

Tom- If you are talking 10 yrs or so, I would suggest biting the bullet and buy a quality zero turn. I had a similar dilema as you describe. I purchased a Dixie Chopper 72-inch XTreme zero turn that I use around my reforestation project (I mow the entire thing about 3 times per year to keep it from getting out of control).

I have similar plans - mow for 5-10 yrs until the trees come close to developing a canopy, then let them go and just mow trails through the developing forest along with mowing my open fields/yard.

No, I don't mow circles around each tree in case you were wondering. I mainly use the zero turn for it's higher mowing speeds. The one I pruchased is advertised at 9 acres/hr, but I'm not quite that fast. I do mow circles around the specimen trees in areas outside the reforestation area - it is great for those.

I have an old 1952 Ford 8-N with a brush-hog that I used for a couple years, but my wife was getting sick of me spending forever mowing. My DC can mow through the tall stuff with no problem - they advertise it to do so as well. My curved rows are planted betwen 8 to 12 foot on center and the 72-inch works real nice. I bought the 33hp mower - you could get by with less, but I had a different dealer talk me out of a sale becuase he stated the smaller hp mower wouldn't cut through the tall stuff. He did say a smaller hp zero turn would be okay if you went with a more common 60-inch deck.

If you add up what you would pay for hiring someone over 10 years - that would go a long ways towards a new/used zero turn mower for you. Plus most hold their value well - not to mention they are fun to drive.

John

Good to here from you, John, as I know from past threads that you and I are on a similar path. I'm going to research some of these zero-turns. Is Dixie Chopper an especially good one, would you say? Or was it more a matter of what was available in your area?

+oM

I used one once on the job chopping through everything from willow to blackberry (got cut up real good - me) but man these things chop to a manageable height but when the brush is as tall as a human (6'), there's a lot of debris still at your feet. They do work though. Just like you see on tv commercials. I don't know the model as it was years ago but I did a good half days work with the machine and nothing got in the way of its path. The machine was maybe twice the size of a lawnmower, exactly what you're looking for, I'd reckon...

Dax

Thanks ltruitt and Dax. That's what I needed to know.

John, I can't see sending a nice expensive zero turn into my particular application yet. I think I need a few years of walk behind control first. But I do want a ZT.

Tom, thanks for your tolerance.

Tom- I've been on several mower forums and the concensus was DC's and Grasshoppers are arguably the best ZTR's. I went with a DC because of the speed and it was somewhat less expensive. They are an investment, but I can tell you buying something cheap can be a pain in the neck.

My neighbor saw me mowing with a slower 48" tractor mower around my trees a few yrs back and brought over his ZTR for me to use for the day. That one mowing got me hooked on ZTRs. They mow extremely fast and they are fun.

The ZTR gives me a ton more manueverability (sp?) than my brush hog and 48" lawn tractor did. I would periodically run over a tree with the brush hog, but it rarely happens now.

It obviously comes down to how much time you have and how much $ you want to invest right now. I wouldn't worry about tearning up your mower mowing alfalfa- a good ZTR can handle that fine.

Looked up some ZTMs today. Man, those things ain't cheap, as you alluded to. Pretty close to the price for a small tractor, which, while not as efficient a mowing machine, could also do other things I need done, like plowing snow, carrying stuff, etc. I'm gonna think on this one some more. Also, at least right now, the bottom line is cash is pretty limited. I did put into my application for cost-sharing, my estimate-possibly a bit low-for the walk-behind unit. I "think" we're going to be approved, which will mean that among other things, equipt. costs would be reimbursed at 50%.

+oM

The ZTR/tractor could be a tax write off on the earnings on your project. That would help a little. I assume you mean mowing costs rather than actual equip costs are reimbursed? Doubt they will pay for 1/2 of a new mower. I get paid for mowing (weed control) - I'm guessing that's what you are referring to.

The DC ZTR's have an available snow blade attachment and are the only mowers that have a hitch for towing up to 1 ton.

Most dealers will deal at least a couple thousand less than list price - similar to buying a car. Also, most dealers will gladly haul a ZTR out to your property for you to test drive for a day - no strings attached. I did that - they didn't flinch at all when they showed up and I had grass/weeds a 1-2 foot tall. Even if you don't buy one right now, you could get a free mowing out of the deal.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

john

hey tom .... no specific opinion for any machine ...

but where ever you are leaning.. bite the bullet and spend 100$ for a one day rental .. just to give it a spin.. before you re-mortgage the house ... lol ...

ken

John, actually the program I've applied for DOES reimburse directly for equipt. costs, at 50%. The next round of awarding is May 1, so we'll know soon enough.

+oM

I took a chance and ordered an early model DR walk-behind, back around '95. I can truly say it has proven to be one of the best investments I have ever made. However, it appears my original design has been substantially modified, and I think Troy Built is closer to what I have, rather than the newer model DR's. This machine I have is truly amazing. I have put so many hours on it, over a 15 year period, that the engine has been rebuilt twice, and I am on my third set of wheels. I use the machine to manage brush on a 20 acre parcel of land in northeast Oklahoma. It is the perfect compliment for a tractor drawn brushhog.