Trail Maintenance - Mower Advice

[Wisco]

Hi all, looking for input for the best budget friendly implement for keeping up with regular trail maintenance. I've always mowed all our trails and foodplots with a walk behind Billy Goat. I have a toddler and newborn at home and am trying to cut down the maintenance time to keep the wife happy. My first thought was an atv, pull-behind brush mower like a swisher. But then got feedback from a buddy all of those are junk (is that right?), plus theyre hard to find used. So then I thought maybe just an old riding lawn mower could do the trick, but worried about power.

I'm looking to spend less than $2k (really would like a lot less than that but enough FB marketplace shopping has shown me thats more or less the price of a pull behind). I'm in SE WI (vegetation is thick) and would stick to the flatter parts of the property (ill keep the walk behind for the tougher terrain and (if encessary) extra thick spots). Its possible I can borrow a skidsteer once a year, but that's not an ideal route either.

I would appreciate your experiences/recommendations.

Thanks in advance!

 

[bigboreblr]

I do my home's 2 acre or so area and about another 2 acres of snowmobile trail between my club and hte neighbors about 20-30ft wide 3/4 mile long with the swisher 42" rough cut mower. IT does the job. Paid $500 for it in 2020. Briggs motor is splash lubricated so it doesn't last a long life like better motors. Mine has been rod knocking for 3 years. Have a new 13hp one when it's time.

Mowing 3ft tall stuff I do 1/2 pass a time. Mowing trails in the woods, they ont get light like an open field. Been through hell n back many times and still kicking. Its like the champ car at the county fair smash up derby........

44 trail mower in sumner on waterloo craiglist for $800......

 

[matinc]

I have been thinking of using my stv and crimper on trails to lay down some big heavy stuff and mow over the top. This way your leveing it out as you go. Curious on thoughts.

 

[bjseiler]

I have a swisher pul behind I’m looking to sell. If you are interested I can take some pictures. I’m on the Indiana/Michigan border on i94.

 

[Stubborn1VT]

I've never run a Swisher, but I know guys that mow their trails twice a year with one. Think they bought it lightly used for $1500. So far, they're happy with it.

 

[Bill]

I’ve got swisher rough cut 42 also. It doesn’t owe me a dime. Deck is rusted enough that the blade sometimes lightly hits the side. Makes a racket when it does. I try to keep 3 extra belts on hand at all times. It’s been through hell and back. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another one.

 

[SD51555]

Hi all, looking for input for the best budget friendly implement for keeping up with regular trail maintenance. I've always mowed all our trails and foodplots with a walk behind Billy Goat. I have a toddler and newborn at home and am trying to cut down the maintenance time to keep the wife happy. My first thought was an atv, pull-behind brush mower like a swisher. But then got feedback from a buddy all of those are junk (is that right?), plus theyre hard to find used. So then I thought maybe just an old riding lawn mower could do the trick, but worried about power.

I'm looking to spend less than $2k (really would like a lot less than that but enough FB marketplace shopping has shown me thats more or less the price of a pull behind). I'm in SE WI (vegetation is thick) and would stick to the flatter parts of the property (ill keep the walk behind for the tougher terrain and (if encessary) extra thick spots). Its possible I can borrow a skidsteer once a year, but that's not an ideal route either.

I would appreciate your experiences/recommendations.

Thanks in advance!

Tell us more about what you want. Are you wanting to maintain your trails at lawn height all year? Are just trying to keep the brush from encroaching? Are u like me and want to keep them short as a means of tick prevention?

Without knowing more, there are two schools of thought. If u just want to whack them once a year so they’re clean for hunting season, hire someone to bring in a tractor or skid steer with a mower. It doesn’t make sense to own a machine that sees one day a year use.

If u want to mow them frequently and faster, get a good riding lawn mower. When I say good, I mean new or almost new. If you think you’re short on time now, buy a cheap used mower. It’ll get worse. That also means your trails need to be in good enough shape to not destroy a lawn mower.


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[bigboreblr]

I’ve got swisher rough cut 42 also. It doesn’t owe me a dime. Deck is rusted enough that the blade sometimes lightly hits the side. Makes a racket when it does. I try to keep 3 extra belts on hand at all times. It’s been through hell and back. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another one.

Mines a belt eater too. I carry a spare 74x1/2" belt I think mine is.

 

[bigboreblr]

I thought native hunter does all his habitat work with a zero turn mower with tougher tires. My preference is a finish mower style, but with a open deck. Little or just about no shouding, so it can stall out from too much grass in it. Swisher fits the bill very good. Some of those kubota belly mowers are great too.

A used BX kubota is small, but nothing to joke at. They're tough and way way faster than doing anything by hand. IF thats all the tractor you can aford, dont sweat it.

My limitaion is my enclosed trailer. I got a 6x12 with insulation, led lights, and dickinson 8000 propane heater. My clubs cabin is nasty dirty with mice, and I have a bother in laws with about 4000+ acres of land he farms or rents to farm. Only can hold 1000lbs or so. honda atv plus an implement or two.

 

[KY wild]

Trails through mature forest is not a problem because once established the shade will keep them open, so I suspect you are referring to trail through a cut over or close to a clear cut, here is what I done to keep open in that situation. I went to rural king and bought materials to make a 5 foot boom to use with my sprayer and then I spray trails once or twice a year with crossbow. Works great, could even face nozzles to the sky to spray high brush. Less that 100 bucks to build small boom and very little work. Easy peasy

 

[H20fwler]

I use a John Deere 415 all steer to mow my trails and orchards. Works great and I'm not afraid to mow over any smaller trees. It's a beast.
I will be getting an 8N and a bush hog in the next couple of years.