Dooger54
08-11-2008, 02:56 PM
I’m looking for help in making some major decisions on equipment to buy. First off, I am not a commercial operator so I hope this doesn’t offend anyone by posting here. This post will also be quite lengthy, so bear with me!! I have been on this site for almost 3 years now and have found the information invaluable.
I purchased a 14 acre property in the country (central Illinois) to build a new house after ours was destroyed in a tornado in July 2004. At this point, about 3 acres is being mowed as turf grass and about 2 acres will be planted in prairie grass and wildflowers. The remainder is home site and timber.
The turf I have now has been established by me over the last 3 years. It is a Kentucky Bluegrass mix with the typical fescue and annual rye included. I have a New Holland compact tractor and a Hustler Super Z to work it. Following are some pics of three different areas of the lawn.
116821
The first is an example of where the grass has done very well.
116822
The second is an example of the many areas that have not filled in well.
116823
The third is an example of areas I have not done much with, still has what I refer to as “pasture” grass.
I want to really get serious about building up a quality lawn on the 3 acres of turf. So I am looking at putting some money into the proper equipment. Here is what I am looking at and the reason why. What I am asking for is opinions on what I really need, and the strategy involved.
1) Core aerator. From what I have read, aerating is probably the one thing that will be most beneficial for my lawn. It is severly compacted now, it has never been aerated. I have already purchased a used Woods 72” (PL72) for this. I plan on using it each spring and fall. So that decision has been made.
2) Spreader. I will be buying a spreader to mount on the front of my Hustler. I am looking at both the JRCO and Earthway brands. Again, this is something I know is needed.
The following pieces of equipment are what I am not sure about:
1) Dethatcher. I have been looking at the JRCO 60” dethatcher for use with my Hustler. I would use this for regular dethatching (how often?) and in assisting with overseeding. If I want to overseed, I understand the best course is to mow the lawn very low (pick up clippings (see #2 below), dethatch, pick up thatch again, overseed, and the use the dethatcher again to work in the seed. I would also aerate prior to overseeding. Is this the proper use of the dethatcher? Do you recommend dethatching every year as good practice, even when not overseeding??
2) Lawn vacuum for use with the Hustler. I do not intend on using this regularly, as I always let the clippings stay on the grass. But from what I have read, if I want to overseed and do some dethatching, I need to be able to pick up the clippings/thatch. Based on this, I would only use the vac once or twice a year. A good system will run $1500-$2500 and I hesitate to spend this much on something that is used this seldom. There is nowhere here I can rent one, so this isn’t an option.
3)Topdresser. I have read many posts about the benefits of topdressing with compost. Although it would take a large amount to do 3 acres (about 35 yds acre at ¼” depth), I think this would really help. I would do this every fall for at least 5 yrs or so. I have looked at the topdressing units made by Earth and Turf. They seem like my best option. Again, is this worth $3000 or so? The compost will cost about $500-$750 year also.
Again, sorry for the length. I hope people will take the time to read this and respond.
Doug
I purchased a 14 acre property in the country (central Illinois) to build a new house after ours was destroyed in a tornado in July 2004. At this point, about 3 acres is being mowed as turf grass and about 2 acres will be planted in prairie grass and wildflowers. The remainder is home site and timber.
The turf I have now has been established by me over the last 3 years. It is a Kentucky Bluegrass mix with the typical fescue and annual rye included. I have a New Holland compact tractor and a Hustler Super Z to work it. Following are some pics of three different areas of the lawn.
116821
The first is an example of where the grass has done very well.
116822
The second is an example of the many areas that have not filled in well.
116823
The third is an example of areas I have not done much with, still has what I refer to as “pasture” grass.
I want to really get serious about building up a quality lawn on the 3 acres of turf. So I am looking at putting some money into the proper equipment. Here is what I am looking at and the reason why. What I am asking for is opinions on what I really need, and the strategy involved.
1) Core aerator. From what I have read, aerating is probably the one thing that will be most beneficial for my lawn. It is severly compacted now, it has never been aerated. I have already purchased a used Woods 72” (PL72) for this. I plan on using it each spring and fall. So that decision has been made.
2) Spreader. I will be buying a spreader to mount on the front of my Hustler. I am looking at both the JRCO and Earthway brands. Again, this is something I know is needed.
The following pieces of equipment are what I am not sure about:
1) Dethatcher. I have been looking at the JRCO 60” dethatcher for use with my Hustler. I would use this for regular dethatching (how often?) and in assisting with overseeding. If I want to overseed, I understand the best course is to mow the lawn very low (pick up clippings (see #2 below), dethatch, pick up thatch again, overseed, and the use the dethatcher again to work in the seed. I would also aerate prior to overseeding. Is this the proper use of the dethatcher? Do you recommend dethatching every year as good practice, even when not overseeding??
2) Lawn vacuum for use with the Hustler. I do not intend on using this regularly, as I always let the clippings stay on the grass. But from what I have read, if I want to overseed and do some dethatching, I need to be able to pick up the clippings/thatch. Based on this, I would only use the vac once or twice a year. A good system will run $1500-$2500 and I hesitate to spend this much on something that is used this seldom. There is nowhere here I can rent one, so this isn’t an option.
3)Topdresser. I have read many posts about the benefits of topdressing with compost. Although it would take a large amount to do 3 acres (about 35 yds acre at ¼” depth), I think this would really help. I would do this every fall for at least 5 yrs or so. I have looked at the topdressing units made by Earth and Turf. They seem like my best option. Again, is this worth $3000 or so? The compost will cost about $500-$750 year also.
Again, sorry for the length. I hope people will take the time to read this and respond.
Doug