Rookie questions? L3010 HST

[JBrown15]

Bought a 2002 L3010 HST, it has the LA 481 loader.
Want some advice for implements for use on a flat, small 3 acre horse pasture. Tires are not filled.
Which one, finish mower or brush hog? Size?

The pasture is clogged with weeds (none that a finish mower couldn't handle) but I wonder how much of a pain a mid-mount mower is to install/remove. Thoughts?

What sort of tasks will a pull behind rake accomplish?

I have this idea a rake can drag wasted hay/munure out of the feeding lot. And to scratch the surface, do some weed control before a re-seeding. What width rake would you recommend? Other tips?

Any other recommended implements for small pasture work? Thanks.

 

[85Hokie]

It might be just me - but for that situation, the 3 point rotary would be my choice and I would think it would be a lot cheaper than the MMM.

a MMM for that machine might be hard to find and cost well over $1,000, where a used rotary would cost less than that and be easier to hook up and remove.

Width of rake - 6' should work well, maybe a 7' er

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Look at a flail mower, advantages of both the finish and field mowers.
Trying to get a MMM for that model are going to be really hard to do, and really pricey!
Also some MMM do not like a loader/ subframe attached.

 

[JBrown15]

Appreciate. Yep the mid-mount is kinda impractical. And I can back a rotary into a corner. 60" wide is probably right for this compact, agree? A flail has the blade on a rotating arm, correct? Where a rotary is on a spindle?

Glad you mentioned 6-7 foot on the rake. Logic tells me if it's a bit wider than the rear tires (57") I can see the corner of the rake easier.

Using a bucket without teeth to scoop the hay is tricky or maybe even frustrating.

 

[D2Cat]

I agree with a flail. I use a flail to mow pasture. I have a couple of chains with slots in the metal ends that can be used to set the mower at any desired height and not be concerned about hydraulics. I usually leave 8-10" of grass standing for grazing. Leave the chains off and the mower will make a field nearly look like a lawn.

Here's a couple of picture to give you an idea of what can be cut. I'm using a 7' flail with a 60HP Deutz here, but I have a 5' and 6' also. (I collect them like a women does shoes!)

 

[animals45]

Keep in mind that some 3PT rakes angle & a shorter rake might not stick out past the rear tires .
animals45

 

[jimh406]

I think it depends on long term vision for the space. Do you want it "groomed" or just cut. Also, are there any bushes that need to be cut.

Same goes for the rake. A rake will clog up over time. Rakes can be used to put on a finish on gravel. However, a harrow can do it too. If you have a UTV/ATV, a chain type can be pulled behind one of those.

 

[N3BP]

The 3010 is a fine machine and very well buit. Looking at my owners manual, Kubota recommends a max of 72'' for the mid-mount and three-point rotary, and 60'' max for a flail. Personal experience has tought me if you have a lot of open field, the three-point is the way to go. If your lawn is more technical with obsticals, the mid-mount has the advantage.

 

[JBrown15]

I agree with a flail. I use a flail to mow pasture. I have a couple of chains with slots in the metal ends that can be used to set the mower at any desired height and not be concerned about hydraulics. I usually leave 8-10" of grass standing for grazing. Leave the chains off and the mower will make a field nearly look like a lawn.

Here's a couple of picture to give you an idea of what can be cut. I'm using a 7' flail with a 60HP Deutz here, but I have a 5' and 6' also. (I collect them like a women does shoes!)

Watched a good Messick's video on the flail mower. Was impressed, except for the low 1-4" cut height. Thinking I may want to keep the grass taller. Still deciding.

 

[JBrown15]

I think it depends on long term vision for the space. Do you want it "groomed" or just cut. Also, are there any bushes that need to be cut.

Same goes for the rake. A rake will clog up over time. Rakes can be used to put on a finish on gravel. However, a harrow can do it too. If you have a UTV/ATV, a chain type can be pulled behind one of those.

The current need is better grazing and maximizing the forage. Daughter tends to rotate in more horses than it can sustain. Yep, studying the angles on rakes and wheels. I think with some manual labor and a rake I can re-seed portions of the pasture over time.

 

[JBrown15]

The 3010 is a fine machine and very well buit. Looking at my owners manual, Kubota recommends a max of 72'' for the mid-mount and three-point rotary, and 60'' max for a flail. Personal experience has tought me if you have a lot of open field, the three-point is the way to go. If your lawn is more technical with obsticals, the mid-mount has the advantage.

Glad to hear you like the 3010. I did extensive research on which brand and model would work best for me/our small field. I'm enjoying using it so far!

 

[D2Cat]

Watched a good Messick's video on the flail mower. Was impressed, except for the low 1-4" cut height. Thinking I may want to keep the grass taller. Still deciding.

The flail is designed to be setting on the ground and the roller in the back, skid plates on the side all keep the rotating flails sucking up the grass to cut it off. That is why when used as designed the grass will have the appearance of being cut with a belly mower or a zero turn!

I posted the pictures for you to see what can be done with the same equipment. Just raise the mower to the desired height and the suction is enough to cut the field for grazing. I don't cut brush with a flail although it will take out smaller stems.

You might keep an eye open for something used. All of mine I found used. 6 footer needed a bit of work, but have used it quite a bit. Cost $400. 5 footer is like new, it's a Ford brand. Man bought it at an auction and thought it was a tiller. He soon found out he had something he didn't want, and advertised it as a 6 footer. When I got to his place and realized it was a 5', but in excellent condition he sold it for $500. The 7' I bought from someone who bought if from the Corp of Engineers. It was not used excessively, well maintained, had trail wheels for height adjustment, and I paid $700.

My point is you don't have to pay a premium price for a nice piece of usable equipment.

Also, your idea of a rake( a rake can drag wasted hay/manure out of the feeding lot. And to scratch the surface, do some weed control before a re-seeding ) will do just a you described. A 6' will do you fine. It will allow you to back into a stall and drag hay crumbs and waste out easily. May take a few back and forth maneuvers because the rake has no down pressure. You can adjust to top link to get the teeth to work as you want. Once again you can find them used.

 

[JBrown15]

The flail is designed to be setting on the ground and the roller in the back, skid plates on the side all keep the rotating flails sucking up the grass to cut it off. That is why when used as designed the grass will have the appearance of being cut with a belly mower or a zero turn!

I posted the pictures for you to see what can be done with the same equipment. Just raise the mower to the desired height and the suction is enough to cut the field for grazing. I don't cut brush with a flail although it will take out smaller stems.

You might keep an eye open for something used. All of mine I found used. 6 footer needed a bit of work, but have used it quite a bit. Cost $400. 5 footer is like new, it's a Ford brand. Man bought it at an auction and thought it was a tiller. He soon found out he had something he didn't want, and advertised it as a 6 footer. When I got to his place and realized it was a 5', but in excellent condition he sold it for $500. The 7' I bought from someone who bought if from the Corp of Engineers. It was not used excessively, well maintained, had trail wheels for height adjustment, and I paid $700.

My point is you don't have to pay a premium price for a nice piece of usable equipment.

Also, your idea of a rake( a rake can drag wasted hay/manure out of the feeding lot. And to scratch the surface, do some weed control before a re-seeding ) will do just a you described. A 6' will do you fine. It will allow you to back into a stall and drag hay crumbs and waste out easily. May take a few back and forth maneuvers because the rake has no down pressure. You can adjust to top link to get the teeth to work as you want. Once again you can find them used.

Yessir. I viewed your pics. The video I watched said what you said about raising it and cutting. It's just not a real clean cut but horses don't care and neither do I. There are no bushes or trees and I would pick up any beaches on the ground from the tree line.

I sure do want to find good used implements. Thanks for taking the time and explaining.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Just IMO I think a flail does a better job mowing, however if you need to back into brush a rear brush cutter gives the operator a little more distance to what being cut…if that makes a difference…cutter will set back 8ish feet back from the mower allowing you to back into brush with out limbs getter to the operator IMO. For straight mowing, flail does a better job though. If you are wanting to take on off, something off the three point much more convenient than a MMM IMO for install removal and basic maintenance (greasing etc PTO shaft etc). Good luck.

 

[D2Cat]

Here's a picture of a field I was cutting, to show the heighth of grass and what I cut it to.

 

[JBrown15]

Just IMO I think a flail does a better job mowing, however if you need to back into brush a rear brush cutter gives the operator a little more distance to what being cut…if that makes a difference…cutter will set back 8ish feet back from the mower allowing you to back into brush with out limbs getter to the operator IMO. For straight mowing, flail does a better job though. If you are wanting to take on off, something off the three point much more convenient than a MMM IMO for install removal and basic maintenance (greasing etc PTO shaft etc). Good luck.

Appreciate your opinion and others. I'm not doing a MMM based on what I've read here. Since there is not much/any brush the flail is going to be what I'm looking for. The right flail at a good price will be the challenge. A landscape rake should help too. Searching for a 72" rake that isn't to beat up for less than $500. Have seen rakes for 700-1000 used. That's to pricey.

 

[JBrown15]

Here's a picture of a field I was cutting, to show the heighth of grass and what I cut it to.

Yeah, I'd be satisfied with that cut, and that grass. I have over 50% weeds.