what mower to use far large bumpy lawn

i have a new client, its a cottage and fields either side which dont cut but the lawn thats in the middle is bumpy sloping and quite large... i put my hayter 48 on it, done an ok job, but was hard work on such a big unlevel area and dont want to ruin the mower... what would be a better mower i can get to cut this area. took a good 2 hrs to cut with the 48.

possible options:

1. i could put 2 hater 48 on there but dont want to ruin them? (duno if it would ruin them might not do the drive good as bumpy) ...

2. buy a new mower , not sure what one, maybe a 4 wheel?

3. buy a small ride on but as moment it would only be used for this job... and i have quoted 4 hrs 2 men time which would muck this up..

Several factors involved here....

What do the client EXPECT in terms of finish? Do they want stripes or are they not that bothered?

If not then a four wheeled mulching mower used when appropriate can 'level' a rough lawn over the course of a season. I have experience of this as one of my local pub contracts I used to use a Hayter Double 3 mulcher, collecting or discharging when inappropriate to mulch.

It did improve the ground level a little and the grass always seemed to tolerate drought conditions better.

If you need a bigger pedestrian rotary, then consider an old shape Hayter 56 as then you get a 3 inch wider cut each time (don't use a new model, they are no good).

If it was my customer and they were not bothered about stripes, I would use the Snapper ride on mower that I have, its a very versatile bit of kit and can side discharge, collect or mulch (which it does very well). I use it quite a bit for larger lawns and some of my industrial/commercial sites in the Spalding area. Its only fault is it doesn't have a roller so doesn't stripe - but I am working on it!

Adam

ANP Services Spalding - 'for all your garden and grounds maintenance requirements in the Spalding area'

Replies

Adam Pilgrim July 15, 2011 at 6:25pm

Several factors involved here....

What do the client EXPECT in terms of finish? Do they want stripes or are they not that bothered?

If not then a four wheeled mulching mower used when appropriate can 'level' a rough lawn over the course of a season. I have experience of this as one of my local pub contracts I used to use a Hayter Double 3 mulcher, collecting or discharging when inappropriate to mulch.

It did improve the ground level a little and the grass always seemed to tolerate drought conditions better.

If you need a bigger pedestrian rotary, then consider an old shape Hayter 56 as then you get a 3 inch wider cut each time (don't use a new model, they are no good).

If it was my customer and they were not bothered about stripes, I would use the Snapper ride on mower that I have, its a very versatile bit of kit and can side discharge, collect or mulch (which it does very well). I use it quite a bit for larger lawns and some of my industrial/commercial sites in the Spalding area. Its only fault is it doesn't have a roller so doesn't stripe - but I am working on it!

Adam

ANP Services Spalding - 'for all your garden and grounds maintenance requirements in the Spalding area'
Ian Parkes July 15, 2011 at 6:51pm

think grass got be collected not sure about stipes .. ok yea was thinking 56.. . looks like there got moll problems which is making the ground a bit bumpy.... but i just kick the mounds lol
Adam Pilgrim July 15, 2011 at 6:56pm

Molehills wear blades FAST! on anything... that's my experience - the Double 3 used to get through several blades a year on that pub job, mulching mole hills isn't good, but was unavoidable on that job....
PRO

Gary RK July 15, 2011 at 7:02pm

Hire an ATM (such as a DR Scout) from somewhere (~£40-£50 pd) - it's what we use on scrubland/rough ground etc

We own / use this model :http://www.justlawnmowers.co.uk/pages/productspages/DR_Scout.htm

3 speed & reverse gearbox, huge heavy blade (like on Hayter 53 Pro's) - will take out saplings/small self set trees as well. Gives a reasonable finish considering.
Dan Frazer Gardening July 15, 2011 at 8:24pm

Why has the grass got to be collected?

One of my weekly jobs was a rough field before I started, but regular cuts with the mulching mower for 1 and a half seasons has brought it up to almost lawn-like status! I highly recommend buying a used pedestrian mulcher and at a low cost you won't mind it being bashed around the lumpy lawn.
Ian Parkes July 15, 2011 at 8:33pm

ok guys it really not that bumpy and yes it is more or less a lawn from previous gardeners regular cutting... i would imagine she wants it collected as its same as anyones back lawn... i dont cut the fields either side either but excellent comments, i have used one them before good tools gary be ideal for the field but dont have worry about that luckily. if u kick a mole hill it scatters the soil perfectly i found haaaaa.
PRO

Stuart @ Eco Garden Maintenance July 15, 2011 at 8:40pm

Dont get a ride on for one job. Also they cause far more compaction than pedestrian mowers and are slower if the lawn is a tricky shape with lots of obstacles. I dont use mine much any more. I'd also recommend getting a mulcher.
Dan Frazer Gardening July 15, 2011 at 8:47pm

Before and after shots below:
PRO

Nick @ NM Garden Services Ltd July 15, 2011 at 9:15pm

Good work Dan!
Dan Frazer Gardening said:
Before and after shots below:
Marc Cole July 16, 2011 at 3:55pm

Dan did u treat, top soil and overseed? Only asking because I have a similar situation myself and I would really like to get it to a good looking lawn.