Clearing the edges of my pond
bob frame
Join Date: Posts: 1 |
2004-07-02 89911
I have a three acre pond and need to trim around the edge of it. I've tried backing my Kubota 3010/bush hog up to the edge and this works, but is messy and time consuming. I've bribed my boys into weed eating it, but it takes forever and they hate it. Whats a better way??
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Clearing the edges of my pond
shortmagnum
Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 848 Wisconsin Pics |
2004-07-02 89915
How about a PTO driven sickle mower. These can usually be picked up used used at a pretty low price. ....
Link: used equipment
 
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Clearing the edges of my pond
reason201
Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 91 Nebraska Pics |
2004-07-02 89917
Bob,
I am not sure if you are just finish trimming or if you are trying to control brush type growth. For the brush type growth,I found that using a weed eater with line just won't cut it. (no pun intended)
I took a 10" edger blade and enlarged the center hole in it so that it would mount on my weed eater. With the new blade on there I can cut just about anything I come up against.
As I only have to clean up the area a couple times a year and it is an area I can't get my 4710 into safely, this solution works out great
Good luck... ....
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Clearing the edges of my pond
rjframe
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3 duluth, ga |
2004-07-02 89928
Thanks for the suggestion about a sickle bar mower. I've seen a couple of these and the look like the only way to adjust the angle relative to the tractor is ti get off and manually do it. Are there mower bars that can be adjusted while running the tractor? Also, these things look dangerous. Comment? ....
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Clearing the edges of my pond
shortmagnum
Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 848 Wisconsin Pics |
2004-07-02 89929
rj, I would think that there would be hydraulically adjustable sickle bar mowers out there because they were used for so long to mow along roadways where you would need the angle adjustment.
Dangerous? I suppose. When I was a kid we used an old converted horse drawn pull behind sickle mower that we pulled with our 9N. I spent many hours riding that mower smelling Ford exhaust while Dad drove the tractor. The mower's sickle was driven by the mower's turning cast iron wheels which spun a small flywheel. When we went through some really lush hay the sickle would clog and I had to push down on the foot pedal and raise the sickle so the cutting would be easier. Being a skinny kid I had to jump off the seat and put my whole weight on the pedal. Now that's dangerous!!
I would think the PTO sickle is not really more dangerous than any other type of mower. You can simply see the mean parts out in the open and they look more dangerous. If any of them run over you, you're in trouble.
As long as I'm reminiscing my Dad ended up just using a plain old sharp hand scythe to clean up the edges of our ponds. You swing the scythe out over the water and bring it in which cuts and pulls the grass/weeds back towards you and away from the water. You probably know how much mess the trimmers and bush hog make. I don't do it as much as he used to but it's surprising how little energy is required if the scythe is sharp. Probably less than using a good weed whacker.
Sorry about the reminiscing. Sometimes I just can't help it. :-)
Dave
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Clearing the edges of my pond
ncrunch32
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 762 Kingston, NY Pics |
2004-07-02 89938
We had a pond when I was a kid. My dad constructed a large rake out of wood that we used to drag weeds from the pond. He ultimately used non-reproducible chinese carp (from DEC) to eat the weeds. As far as mowing around the edge - just a lot of pushing on riding mowers when you get too close to edge. We also had a small walk behind sickle bar mower whcih was good for cutting high grass. I imagine now a DR brush mower, sickle bar tractor attachment, heavy duty walk behind string trimmer might be of use. Not sure there are any magic solutions to this problem.
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Clearing the edges of my pond
Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York Pics |
2004-07-03 89957
The newer three point sickle bar mowers have an option for a hydraulic lift which allows you to make adjustments for height for varing contours other then lifting the three point. They come in bar lengths down to 5'. Another option if youwish to keep it short might be the Husquvarna hover trimmer. But that would also be as timely as the the string trimmers or close it just gives a better look. ....
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