Ride-on Mowers

[Dogstar]

Wasn't sure where to post this but here goes..I will shortly need to keep nearly two thirds of acre well mown and it looks a bit much for my normal petrol mower. However I know nothing about ride-on mowers. Could I pick your brains; not sure whether to go for a ride-on mower, or a mini tractor, or quad with mower attachment? Also is it possible to actually hay-make a whole 6 or 12 acre field with a mini tractor or quad? Thanks!

 

[HappyHooves]

Have 4 acres and a ride on mower! OH has an old tractor (boy's toy!) but doesn't have hay making equipment, only a harrow, for the fields are used for grazing with nothing left over for hay. Mowing tends to select for fine grass and you will lose diversity of grasses if you have to regularly mow, or so I was told; so set aside what you need for grazing and leave the rest for hay. With our ride on we can spread fertiliser and spray. But if you are going to make your own hay then I would stick with something big enough to do the job easily - strain a small machine and you'll end up with engine burn out and the time it takes to do
6+ acres could drive you nuts. Also make sure that whatever machine you have chosen has the right add-ons for spreading, spraying, cutting, turning etc etc!

 

[Dogstar]

Thanks for the reply. May I enquire as to the make of your ride on please? I would like to make my own hay, but it won't be enough to warrant investing in a full size tractor and full hay making kit. But that is a good point that it would probably burn out a little quad kit

 

[bounce]

I have a ride on mower, just a small Roper one and it is good for topping small areas. I've got 3 acres and only do bits and pieces as and when required. It would be no good for cutting for hay though as they chop the grass up very finely. I think you would need specialist equipment for cutting for hay.

 

[Dogstar]

I was more thinking that an agricultural quad bike or mini tractor might be dual purpose cope with a smallish acreage of hay; if I got a ride on mower it would just be for the 2/3 acre site which actually seems to be the better idea Thanks.

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

Def go for quad and flail topper.

OH bought a crappy ride on for me to mow the paddocks with and I have broken it so many times burning out belts and all sorts because its not man enough to deal with a few docks or long grass. Drives me potty. I would kill for a topper to go on the back of the quad!!

We have a fertiliser thing that sits on the back of the quad which is ace.

 

[Dogstar]

Sounds great advice thanks, I did wonder if a ride on might be a false economy compared to a quad. Thank you

 

[Goldenstar]

I have a countax ride on mower with a heavy duty field mulching deck.
Its good at topping and copes with thistles docks etc but it's best to get them before they get too stalky, does a good job of giving brambles a nasty fright if you get them youngish in spring and early summer .
It's a very useful machine it does our lawns and has a grass collector for that.
A ride on will of course not make hay.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Wasn't sure where to post this but here goes..I will shortly need to keep nearly two thirds of acre well mown and it looks a bit much for my normal petrol mower. However I know nothing about ride-on mowers. Could I pick your brains; not sure whether to go for a ride-on mower, or a mini tractor, or quad with mower attachment? Also is it possible to actually hay-make a whole 6 or 12 acre field with a mini tractor or quad? Thanks!

We brought a ride on mower , though not to use as such but to pull the trailer round the field ( de pooing).

We had a westwood, they are ok but only lasted 2 years doing the job we wanted it for, ,i would advice you do some research over the best makes and durability, . Kubota is the name I recommend, we have had it nearly 9 years and it goes on and on and on and on and on.

Ours is very very similar to picture number three.




http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/kubota-ri...7?pt=UK_Garden_Lawnmowers&hash=item2ec887dd87

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kubota-T1...K_BOI_FarmingEquipment_RL&hash=item19ddc252f8

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kubota-B7...K_BOI_FarmingEquipment_RL&hash=item19ddc252f8



.

 

[texas]

I would recommend stretching the extra funds to a 4wd if at all possible! Means you can use it to drag water, hay etc around in the winter and mud too.

 

[Goldenstar]

Sounds great advice thanks, I did wonder if a ride on might be a false economy compared to a quad. Thank you

I think the key thing would you need a drive on for your lawns if the answer is yes then a mower with a field mulching deck will keep the paddocks neat .
I have a tractor for rolling pulling trailers etc I also have a big cutting deck for the tractor but I have to say the mulching deck on the mower does a better job.
I am looking after around fifteen acres grazing and a eight acre wood and garden lawns.
I think a quad would be a good choice but all the things to add to it like a cutting deck etc will add up in cost the main reason I went to the ride on was I needed one for the lawns.

 

[Dogstar]

Hmm lots to think about! I think the vendors had a Kubota thing, but it looked more like a buggy? I think realistically either a ride-on, quad, or little tractor would do the job so I just need to get my decision making head on and check out the classifieds! Thanks for all the help

 

[4x4]

Where are you? I know a man in Kent who deals in all sorts of things agricultural, reasonably priced and a farmer who makes hay so would be able to advise you.

 

[Dogstar]

That would have been ideal but I am in Bucks, so a long way. Thanks for the thought though

 

[Twinkley Lights]

Def go for quad and flail topper.

OH bought a crappy ride on for me to mow the paddocks with and I have broken it so many times burning out belts and all sorts because its not man enough to deal with a few docks or long grass. Drives me potty. I would kill for a topper to go on the back of the quad!!

We have a fertiliser thing that sits on the back of the quad which is ace.

This would be my view too our ride on is overfaced by 4 acres.

 

[Goldenstar]

This would be my view too our ride on is overfaced by 4 acres.

If you go for a ride on it MUST have a heavy duty field mulching deck a normal lawn deck won't cope I traded in mine to buy the one I have now because It could not cope.

 

[Twinkley Lights]

If you go for a ride on it MUST have a heavy duty field mulching deck a normal lawn deck won't cope I traded in mine to buy the one I have now because It could not cope.

Yes I think we were slightly undersold as we did say it had to do 4 acres at time of purchase. Still this one copes ok with orchard (more a twiggery at mo) and pulling the arena grader so I will wait until we are flush and go for the quad , flail and sprayer solution.