converting a mid mower to a dethatcher / leveler

oxfordbob

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B7300 and B2630
Dec 4, 2016
5
1
3
Michigan
I have a 60 inch mid mower on a B7300. Been thinking of gearing it down, putting on dethatching blades, and using it to shave off the many bumpy spots I have on my 10 acres. The ground is so bumpy, if I could smooth it out some, I could knock 1/3 to 1/2 of my mowing time off. I thought I'd need to gear it down or it will just tear everything up. Anybody try that, or have another idea on leveling that much area? Thought about a Harley power rake, but the local guy wants $400 to rent one. I made a drag-behind thatcher with flexible steel tines, but it would take many trips to do anything - hence the thought of using the mid-mower. Now that I have a bigger tractor and 72" mower, it just sits anyway. Thanks! Also, it seems 16" is the biggest dethatcher mower blade available - true?
 
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GreensvilleJay

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query. do you have more 'mountains' or 'valleys' ?

It might be easier to fill the valleys with topsoil, grass seed, than chop the tops off the mountains.

Now re-reading your post you have 10 ACRES of lawn to cut !!! Always curious as to why people want more than 1/2 acre to cut and look nice.....
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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Run a land plane over it!
My grass areas are 100% better after I did it.
I do have very sandy ground though.
 
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oxfordbob

New member

Equipment
B7300 and B2630
Dec 4, 2016
5
1
3
Michigan
query. do you have more 'mountains' or 'valleys' ?

It might be easier to fill the valleys with topsoil, grass seed, than chop the tops off the mountains.

Now re-reading your post you have 10 ACRES of lawn to cut !!! Always curious as to why people want more than 1/2 acre to cut and look nice.....
We do have 10 acres, but not all of it is mowed. I just read an article that says ticks love tall grass. I know one guy who's mom died from Lyme disease and have a neighbor that suffers from it. They have treatment, but no cure that I know of. I'm told it helps keep the little rodents at bay as well. Had one camper "totaled" by the insurance company for mouse damage.. I'm retired, so I don't mind - and it looks nice.
 

oxfordbob

New member

Equipment
B7300 and B2630
Dec 4, 2016
5
1
3
Michigan
Run a land plane over it!
My grass areas are 100% better after I did it.
I do have very sandy ground though.
Hadn't thought of that (actually did not know of it). Was yours an established "lawn" that you wanted to smooth out or starting from scratch? I assume it tore it up pretty much. Was trying to figure a way to minimize the destruction, but maybe unavoidable. Also wondered if I "floated" a tiller to do a shave, if that would work.

Was told by a dealer that a land plane on sod would make a mess. Better to start over than that.
 
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North Idaho Wolfman

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Jun 9, 2013
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Sandpoint, ID
Hadn't thought of that (actually did not know of it). Was yours an established "lawn" that you wanted to smooth out or starting from scratch? I assume it tore it up pretty much. Was trying to figure a way to minimize the destruction, but maybe unavoidable. Also wondered if I "floated" a tiller to do a shave, if that would work.

Was told by a dealer that a land plane on sod would make a mess. Better to start over than that.
I have used it on both established and newer lawns.
Yes on newer lawns it's a bit rough, on but they popped right back into shape, and they were smooth!
Established lawns, I found cutting it really short helped with peeling the high spots off of it without destroying it.
 
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oxfordbob

New member

Equipment
B7300 and B2630
Dec 4, 2016
5
1
3
Michigan
I have used it on both established and newer lawns.
Yes on newer lawns it's a bit rough, on but they popped right back into shape, and they were smooth!
Established lawns, I found cutting it really short helped with peeling the high spots off of it without destroying it.
Interesting. I'll have to see if any places nearby rent those. Thanks for getting back to me.
 

Runs With Scissors

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We do have 10 acres, but not all of it is mowed. I just read an article that says ticks love tall grass. I know one guy who's mom died from Lyme disease and have a neighbor that suffers from it. They have treatment, but no cure that I know of. I'm told it helps keep the little rodents at bay as well. Had one camper "totaled" by the insurance company for mouse damage.. I'm retired, so I don't mind - and it looks nice.
My neighbors at the cottage have about 10 "Guinea hens" and a bunch of chickens that "roam" all over the cut areas of ours, and theirs property, they really help keep the ticks at bay.

They are cool as hell. I love watching them, and using my tukery call to "mess" with them after a cocktail or two..... 😁

1694173583029.png
 

Runs With Scissors

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I also treat my "woods" clothing with this. It works great.


1694174001309.png
 

Vigo

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Jan 9, 2022
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San Antonio Texas
Dont let your cats snuggle up to your dirty laundry if theres permethrin on it. Not sure which other animals might be affected. I know dogs are ok.

Anyway, i think dethatching blades are not going to do any contouring of the ground. I think if you are trying to knock down high spots you have to accept that you will also have bare spots for a certain amount of time unless you install sod or something afterwards.