Finish Mower question

I am thinking of buying a finish mower to pull behind my 8N, but I'm not sure its the way I want to go. I have about 4 acres and have mowed it for 10 years with a brush hog. No rocks, stumps, etc, so I know it would be ok for the finish mower. The wife and I have decided we would like the groomed look over all the propery rather than the "rough finish" cut of a brush hog. I do keep the blades relatively sharp though.

Anyway, my questions:

I do have several trees to go around, and one of the problems I have with the hog is it seems I am either dragging the front end or leaving a rut with the wheel in the back when going around sharp corners. I use limiter chains on the top of the three point, but no matter how much I fiddle with it, I can never seem to get it where it won't drag somewhere. I realize this is probably due to the fact that its a BRUSH HOG, not a lawn mower, but will I have the same kind of trouble with a finish mower? I see that a FM sits on the ground and all the wheels swivel, but still, will it turn sharp with no "rutting"?

I have gone back quite a ways in the forums and it seems most people tend to mow in 2nd gear. Is that the norm? I know when I am pulling a BH, 3rd gear seems a little slow, but 4th is WAY too high, so 3rd it is. I am not looking to set any land speed records, but I'm not sure I want to possibly double my mowing time.

I guess I have been spoiled since I have been doing some volunteer mowing for an outfit and they have a grasshopper. What a machine! Fast and agile.... and expensive! If a finish mower behind the 8N would look as good, I wouldn't mind a little extra time.... and a whole lot less money!

What do you think?

Thanks
Odie

Thanks for the info. I was leaning toward a finish mower, rather the a "newer" type mower. I have kept my eye open for a used one around here (Tulsa, Ok. area) but they seem to be slim. Even a new one will be considerably cheaper than the other grass cutters.

Hadn't considered the "horse" thing though. Something tells me you can't just put those away for the winter when the grass quits growing.....

Looks like I may get to spend more time on the old Ford. There's just something about being out there and getting work done with the almost 60 year old machine!

Thanks again.

Odie

Grease that tail wheel so that it pivots freely.. it shouldn't rut up your yard.. it should spin and track the mower.

Also.. weld a couple bolts a the front of your hog.. slide some deck wheels on it.. lowes/HD has them for about 3 bucks.. slap a lock-nut on it. The wheels will set a minimum cut depth.. and should keep the skid plates from rutting the yard as much.

If you want the superior groomed luck.. you are on the right course with a finish mower.

Soundguy

Bill C.

The difference in time between 2nd and 3rd gears on four acres won't make you late for supper.LOL

My finish mower doesn't create ruts, and it turns just fine. I almost always finish mow in 3rd gear. Only drop down for especially tall grass.

Each year I let me fields grow during the spring until most of the rain is done. Then I brush hog to knock it down. The rest of the summer I finish mow. Takes the pressure off of keeping up during the start of the spring.

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Jon in Mass