Pull behind rotary mowers, which one? Cancel The title field is required!

1. Michnuk John

   
   3/2/2017 8:03 AM

   My course is a huge piece of property. 135 acres and it's only 18 holes and a driving range. Approximately 90 acres of it is rough. Right now, the only equipment I have to take care of all the rough is 1 John Deere 8800, 1 JD 7400 (that is 10 years old and worn out) and 1 JD 1545 (that's 11 years old and worn out). I've got a small staff and During the growing season, it seems I am never caught up. Under perfect conditions, I'm lucky to get 12 holes of rough mowed a week. I'm trying to convince my owners to purchase a pull behind rotary gang mower as I feel it could cover more area with fewer personnel in a shorter period of time. I demo'd a Lastec last year and was impressed and thought they were going to come through for me, but at the last minute I got denied. This year is a new year and I'm going to make a push for one again. I'd like to hear some other recommendations and input of some other brands that are out there. Which ones to look at and which ones to avoid.

   
   
   
   
2. Curt Brisco

   

   3 posts
   
   3/2/2017 12:03 PM

   John,
   If you have a relatively flat course, I would suggest looking at a Bush Hog TD1700. It is a 17ft wide mower we overlap to 15ft. We went with the 1700 because all three decks are the same. They sell a 1500, but the middle deck is smaller. It is a simple, rugged machine that gives a nice finish mower cut. The price is very reasonable for the amount of work you can get done. Good Luck.
   
   
   Curt Brisco
   Fox Prairie Supt.
   Noblesville,In

   
   
   
   
3. Frank McQuiggan

   

   2 posts
   
   3/3/2017 5:03 AM

   We use the Progressive 120 and have approximately 50 acres of rough to be mowed. 5 decks and only half day three days a week and all of the rough gets completed.

   
   
   
   
4. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   3/3/2017 7:03 AM

   I've had a BushHog TD11, a Lastec Articulator and currently have two Progressive Tri-Deck 15' models and a Frontier 12' batwing. I would buy the Progressive, BushHog or Frontier again without flinching. I would also look into the TriMax mowers.
   
   I prefer the pull-behind mowers because a) they are around the $12,000 price point and b)I can use the power unit in the off-months for other tasks rather than it just sitting in the shop collecting dust. Likewise, a tractor/mower combo would last you much longer than a traditional self contained unit.
   
   Of course, this is only if your course is relatively flat with minimal terrain and you have a smaller trim mower to get into tight spaces.

   
   
   
   
5. Rick Tegtmeier

   

   0 posts
   
   3/3/2017 8:03 AM

   We have both the Bush Hog and the Progressive. The Progressive is a better cut and you can back up with it. The Bush Hog can hog off a lot of grass in a short period of time. I would say the golfer never questions the quality of cut with either mower.

   
   
   
   
6. Michael Hummel

   

   0 posts
   
   3/3/2017 12:03 PM

   John:
   
   I also would recommend the Tri Max mower.. They are using in the sod farm industry with good results . Send me a e mail and I will give you a contact to get a proposal.

   
   
   
   
7. James Smith

   

   112 posts
   
   3/7/2017 7:03 AM

   John I second the trimax mower. I saw it at the trade show and was impressed. Unlike the lastec, which I own one, the trimax has big rollers connected with pillow block bearings. we replace most of the small deck tires 2-3 times a year for one reason or another. it gets pricey. Trimax also tells you to only grease the machine one time per week. At least look into them if you can get a chance.

   
   
   
   
8. Christopher Thuer

   

   101 posts
   
   3/7/2017 11:03 AM

   The Lastec works well in our situation due to the undulations. We are on our 4th such unit. They do take some maintenance and the deck wheels do wear out too fast imho.
   
   If flat I would look at any of the Tri deck units. I ordered a Woods at the last course but I changed jobs before they took delivery. Word was that it did well for them, especially since it replaced a 7 gang reel pull behind unit.

   
   Chris Thuer, CGCS, Bear Slide Golf Club, Cicero, IN
   
   
9. Ogden Justin T

   
   3/7/2017 6:03 PM

   I would recommend anything other than a Lastec unless you really hate your mechanic. I'm pushing hard for a trimax right now. Good luck, let us know what you get and how you like it.

   
   
   
   
10. Ryan Reimer

    

    3 posts
    
    3/9/2017 8:03 AM

    I also recommend the TriMax. We are in the process of trying to purchase one.