I got a new challenge! How many acres of lawn can you mow in 1 day?

Jstas

Since my grandmother had to move in to the nursing home, my mom did not renew the "contract" with the guy next door ($35 to mow the lawn but he was doing it every week unnecessarily and **** my grandmother out of $140 a month, did the same to all the elderly people on her block). So the chore falls to me. I mow my parents lawn for them already plus I do a friend's lawn because he works night shifts and has severe allergies. But now I'm up to just under 3 acres of grass to mow. I have a 23 inch push mower. Yeah, been mowing grass for 6 and a half hours straight.

Oh, and the guy who was mowing my grandmother's yard is pissed off because he lost, literally, all of his business. So he takes it out on me and leaves lovely stuff like apple cores, orange peels and dog crap all over my grandmother's backyard. He's a pal. I am supposed to be moving in to my grandma's house and I'm not even their "neighbor" yet and I'm already having problems.

That and their kids keep running all over the yard. I left the side door open while I was mowing and walked in half way through to get some water and get the sweat out of my eyes. I hear noise in the back of the house and was like "WTF?" So I walk back there and these kids are back there trying to figure out how to turn on the TV! I flipped out, they screamed and ran, broke a lamp on the way out that my mom was getting ready to sell and went crying to their dad. He comes over in a huff and starts laying in to me. I picked up an ax handle (sans ax head, it's a spare I use to prop open the shed door) turned around and asked him what his problem was. When I informed him that his brats were running around in my grandmother's house, he said "Oh." I told him that he and his family were not welcome on my property and any intrusion would be considered trespassing. Oh and that I already call the police and filed a report while they were at Sunday "Mother's Day" breakfast for the littering they have been doing in my yard. I told him to have a good day and escorted him off my property.

I hate people.

Mowing 3 acres is tough too.

dave shepard

My yard is 3.5 ac and I use a 60" finish mower on the back of my Kubota BX2200. I can't imagine using a push mower NO F@#*ing WAY. If you use a push mower to do all that what the hell do you need a sans ax head for?
Should have smacked him in the mouth to show his kids that when they do something stupid like that their Dad will get an **** beating.

Dave

ohskigod

that neighbor needed a quick lesson in regards to rule changes now that you live there and not grandma......sounds like you did a good job of that so far.

some might argue that you overreacted but I will not be one of them. I take the sanctity of my home very seriously and take great offense to those who choose to disrupt and intrude against it. I've had to lay down some law when I moved into my house as well. this includes a clear message sent that messing with me for fun is just not worth the aggravation.........sounds like you just did that as well.. you might have to do that again a few times.

neighbors can be real dicks until they realize you can be a bigger dick if antagonized. as long as you stop when they do, they will get the message loud and clear usually.

gdb

Two things you might want to do, stop leaving doors open, and, go to an auction and buy a lawn tractor or a zero turn radius mower with at least a 48" cut width !:)

I-SIG

I can do 5 acres, in, around and between 32 mobile homes, meter pedestals, trees, cars, porches, etc. with a GrassHopper in about 6-7 hours back home in GA.

Wes

George Grand

John,

Sounds like everything is looking rosy for you. Congrats.

George

snow

Not sure how quick the grass grows at your grandma's house but mowing it once a week doesnt sound like your neighbor was mowing it unnecessarily to me, now $35.00 per mow might be overcharging depending on the size of lawn but you have to figure that if he is doing it as a buisness he has to make something for his efforts.



REGARDS SNOW

nadams

I used to do 7 acres in a day with my dads 36" JD lawn tractor. Nowadays it takes me about 15 minutes to do all the grass on my property. 20 if I have to break out the string trimmer. Some say that's better than spending all day mowing, but I always liked getting out and riding the tractor on a Saturday.

Rivrrat

I take care of any grass at my place with Roundup.

ohskigod

gdb wrote: »

T go to an auction and buy a lawn tractor )

valid point here, I went that route for my relativly large lawn (100X150 lot)

push mow for hours? eff that **** dude. dont need a flashy tractor, the 1000 dollar craftsman jobby will do fine, or like our audio, the used route will be fimne for you since you're handy and all

mmadden28

I have about an acre of mowable grass. When I first moved in all I had was a push mower--took foreeeevvvver. Only did that once. Then I paid for a service to do it for awhile. In my area the avg if $45 to $65--I guess it depends on who you get and how much needs to be mowed. I was only paying $45 per week so that's a good rate from a pro service-They would be in and out in a snap. They always have 4-5 guys come in-Sometimes on two mowers-one for the front and one in the back. Another guy or two trimming and another cleaning up with a blower. It's simply amazing how fast it gets done.

In my neck of the woods it pretty much has to be mowed weekly (although we sometimes skip a week here and there depending on the weather)- so that's roughly $200 per month. To save some money and to regulate the timing of the service better-I just didn't like the uncertainty of when they would be there. Luck always seemed to have them showing up on the w/e so when we want to actually use the lawn, it would have frsh cut grass all over the place. That or they would show up after we had a party so we would have long grass before a bug party. I just wanted to control the schedule myself. soo....

I bought a lawn tractor a few years ago (a Joh Deere LX280) and have been doing it myself ever since .Probably takes an hour or two depending on if I trim or not. I usually trim once every other or third mow. Mowing myself on the tractor was nice because I got some 'me' time and I could listen to audiobooks and such. Then one day my wife tried it and now she finds it nice 'get-away' time away from the kids for her-and well, she mows the lawn now all the time. I'm not sure if I'm happy because I don't have to do it, or sad because I lose my 'me' time. She discovered my secret-now she's suspicious that all the other house and yard work is really just as enjoyable.

Every time I go to my Bro-in-laws house and see the big backyard (although smaller mowable area than mine) with the mow lines obviously made from a push mower, I tell myself, no way now how-I would definitely have a tractor for that.

If I had to buy one today, I'd buy a Zero Turn radius model. I find a lot of time wasted in having to do 3 point turns, or mowing around trees and the fire pit and such. The only reason I didn't get that type sooner is because I needed to also use it for hauling and spreading lawn stuff (lime, grubb stuff, etc) and you just can't do that with a Z turn.

tcrossma

Around here $35 per mow is more than reasonable, and once a week is minimum. In the heart of the summer if you don't have an irrigation system you could go longer than that, but otherwise it all seems pretty reasonable to me. Having a temper tantrum because he lost your business is not good business though -- he needs to get over it and move on.

George Grand

This time of year, if you put the first application of Scott's down in early March like you're supposed to, and it rains as much as it has the last few weeks, you're mowing every 4-5 days. Like I am. Push-mower. With a small hill in the backyard.

hearingimpared

My year old front wheel drive mower just broke down and had to pay to have it mowed.

It's a Sears Craftsman and is only a year old.:mad:

madmax

I can do 1/4th of an acre a week but it makes me want to puke. I HATE cutting grass.

Sherardp

hearingimpared wrote: »

My year old front wheel drive mower just broke down and had to pay to have it mowed.

It's a Sears Craftsman and is only a year old.:mad:

Havent you heard of John Deere?:rolleyes: Nothing runs like a Deere bro.

I don't even own a Deere and I work for the company. I run a Poulan, push mower. I'm in Japan so no need for anything big. I'll buy Deere when I get back, especially for anything over an acre.

hearingimpared

madmax wrote: »

I can do 1/4th of an acre a week but it makes me want to puke. I HATE cutting grass.

Ditto!

hearingimpared

Sherardp wrote: »

Havent you heard of John Deere?:rolleyes: Nothing runs like a Deere bro.

I don't even own a Deere and I work for the company. I run a Poulan, push mower. I'm in Japan so no need for anything big. I'll buy Deere when I get back, especially for anything over an acre.

I wish I could trade mine in for a Deere.

cnh

I only have a 1/3 of an acre. And a lot of that is taken up by the pool...even so I hate GRASS! And cutting it with the old cheapo W-mart special...well you can take your EARS OUT doing that; which would be horrible for 'most' of 'us'? Grass cutting and audio...not a good mix!

cnh

comfortablycurt

Ehh...my lawn get's mowed about every 2-2.5 weeks. It's filled with dandelions and other various weeds.

I guess I just don't feel a need to eradicate my lawn down to one species of grass and keep it at the same length all the time. I like variety.;) All the dandelions add a nice splash of color to the lawn, I don't like mowing them down too frequently.

sucks2beme

They charge that much here to mow and edge the postage stamp lawns.
But still, I avoid doing business with neighbors. The guy is going to be trouble.
What kind of kids just go into someone's house, unless your grandmother
let them come in other times. The bad ones stick around and cause trouble
for years. Keep your car and house doors locked. Keep your tools secured in
rollarounds. Cars and garages are the teen hoodlums favorite targets.
And the bad ones go bad very young.

John30_30

Craigslist/Farm & Garden Search for Deere or "Riding mower". Snappers and Deere are popular here.
Portable music jukebox in your pocket and good noise-reducing cans or buds.

ben62670

You can't flip a push mower.

mmadden28

Lasareath wrote: »

21" push mower, I can do my .12 acre lot and then I feel like I'm gonna die!

I remember visting my grandparents house as a kid when they lived in a rowhome in Philly. The grass was probably 6'x8'. My grandfather used one of those manual rotary cutters. No electric, no gas, just push power.

I can't imagine trying to cut a large lawn with one of those things. :eek:

mmadden28

ben62670 wrote: »

You can't flip a push mower.

Sure you can. I've done it.
Haven't flipped my Lawn Tractor yet, but I get close--I have a few steep hills.

I told my wife she can mow the fromt yard anytime, but she's not allowed to mow the back lawn unless I am home.

nadams

Was over at my dad's today... his old LX176 is still running strong as ever -



To date, he's done oil changes, blades, a coil, a muffler, and a valve cover gasket. The hydrostatic unit has never been apart. It's 12-13 years old... I forget when exactly he bought it, but I clocked a LOT of time in that seat, and it hasn't seen easy hours, for sure. Single cylinder 14 horse Kawasaki engine in it.

spwuinmk67

I mow about 10 acres every week, using a combo of push mower, ride on, and big farm tractor with a gang mower behind it. Grass can suck my ****.

comfortablycurt

mmadden28 wrote: »

I remember visting my grandparents house as a kid when they lived in a rowhome in Philly. The grass was probably 6'x8'. My grandfather used one of those manual rotary cutters. No electric, no gas, just push power.

I can't imagine trying to cut a large lawn with one of those things. :eek:

I still use one of those sometimes if the grass isn't too long. It's a little bit more of a workout, but they aren't that bad if they're well maintained.

danger boy

takes me about two+ hours to mow my double wide lot when it's tall. without a catcher. I can't imagine doing a half acre or more, ever. we all have better things to do with our time.

John, get a riding mower and cut your time in half or more at least.

mmadden28

nadams wrote: »

Was over at my dad's today... his old LX176 is still running strong as ever -



To date, he's done oil changes, blades, a coil, a muffler, and a valve cover gasket. The hydrostatic unit has never been apart. It's 12-13 years old... I forget when exactly he bought it, but I clocked a LOT of time in that seat, and it hasn't seen easy hours, for sure. Single cylinder 14 horse Kawasaki engine in it.

Buy your dad a seat cover for father's day

Than and a little pressure washing and car wax and that thing will look like new. :cool:

That is similar to my LX280. You can drop the mower and run without it or step up to a wider cut.

Jstas

gdb wrote: »

Two things you might want to do, stop leaving doors open, and, go to an auction and buy a lawn tractor or a zero turn radius mower with at least a 48" cut width !:)

So essentially, when I am in my own yard, you believe that I should be required to lock my house up as if I was leaving for a week long vacation rather than expect my neighbor's kids to at least be taught that trespassing is against the law and the means that if you weren't invited, you aren't allowed there and thusly trespassing. Also, in many states, even if the door is unlocked, if it is shut (which it was), it is not an invitation to enter and it can still be considered breaking and entering.

snow wrote: »

Not sure how quick the grass grows at your grandma's house but mowing it once a week doesnt sound like your neighbor was mowing it unnecessarily to me, now $35.00 per mow might be overcharging depending on the size of lawn but you have to figure that if he is doing it as a buisness he has to make something for his efforts.

REGARDS SNOW

This from a guy who lives in Fairbanks, with a growing season compromised of...yesterday.

As far as how many times a week it's mowed, it's personal preference. My grandmother's house is plagued with zoysia grass. It can go 14-20 days without a mow and still look neat and trim. The backyard is still mostly ryegrass and fescue which require more frequent mowing so the whole yard really only needs mowing every 10-14 days. IMO, he was doing the yard twice as often as honestly needed and at $35 a pop, he was essentially charging her $70 for a regular mowing which is $20 more than most of the services charge. That's over-charging to me. On top of that, he doesn't claim taxes on it because he can't. He's on permanent disability and on state benefits. If he claims $35 an hour on taxes for 6-8 hours a day, he's not "disabled" anymore. He is "legally blind" but he can apparently see well enough with his Coke-bottle glasses to mow a lawn without lopping off a limb. But he also has a card that allows him to posses marijuana for his "condition". His wif3e also works as a nurses' aid so they have his disability, her income and his income from the lawn mowing stuff. So the guy cries poor-mouth but he makes more than I do, tax free and I'm supposed to let him continue to mow my lawn out of pity? F that. When I'm like my grandmother and my legs don't work anymore, THEN I will pay someone to do it for me. Until then, I'll handle it.

The guy is ticked off because people dumped the lawn service as a way of cutting costs. The economy is down. People are losing jobs. Income doesn't go as far. He lost his business because people don't have the expendable income. He just chooses to take it out on me because I'm closest and he sees me mowing the lawn when he is standing around in his backyard with his thumb up his butt. It's not my fault my grandmother is incapacitated to the point where she needs medical attention and cannot live at home anymore. It's also not my fault that others can't manage money and therefore can't afford $140 a month for lawn care that amounts to a sweaty guy that pushes a mower around their yard for an hour or so. Besides, I refuse to pay someone else to do something for me that I am perfectly capable of doing myself. Am I complaining? Not really. Just stating that mowing that much land with a push mower is rough. I know some people have more, some have less. That's how it goes.

Besides, I have found that letting the grass grow longer between mowings helps with drought resistance. This was corroborated with a dude from Scotts who said that letting the grass grow longer between mowings helps promote root growth which helps with drought resistance. It also keeps the grass from losing too much moisture and that also helps with drought resistance. Frequent mowings promote growth also but only with regular watering.

As far as the lawn mower, I don't have a grand to drop on a lawn mower right now. I have a working push mower. I'd have to put a riding lawn mower on a credit card right now and I'm not going to go in to that debt when there is a real chance I could lose my job at any moment due to budget cuts. Could I get a used one? Yeah, probably but then I'm dealing with some one's beat up junk that doesn't work right and will cost me an arm and a leg in parts to fix properly. And again, added cost that I don't want and the money could be used more wisely somewhere else to better prepare for weathering this economic issue, especially if it affects me directly. So I'll make due with what I have for now. If that means I walk 3 acres in a 23" wide path every other weekend then so be it. Gotta do what's gotta be done. Also, a 23" wide mower is easy to toss in the back of my truck with a weed whacker and a couple cans of gas. A riding mower, not so much.

What I'm more worried about is the fact that my grandmother's house has been broken in to 3 times since she had to go to the hospital last October, the salty and sore neighbor is taking out his frustrations on the house and the neighborhood kids seem to think that the house/yard is their own personal playground. On top of that, my dad told me last night after I related my story to him that he pulled up and caught said salty and sore neighbor peeking in the windows of the garage. Why? Well, ever since we started doing work to bring the house up to code so the home inspector would approve the transaction between my mom and my aunts, he keeps making statements like "Doin' alot of work in that house, huh?" and "Throwin' alot of stuff out, huh, almost like you're remodeling." Which makes me wonder what business it is of his and what does he do when nobody is there?

I'm starting to think that a 6+ foot high pike fence down the entire property line is in order.