Forum

Replies

• 

  Phil Crossley June 16, 2014 at 9:29am

  we have the same problem Geoff using Etesia's. We cut without the grassbox first, then collect as much as possible. After that it's out with the springtine rakes to get the remaining grass as upright as possible and cut again. That way we avoid a return visit.
• 

  David Cox June 16, 2014 at 9:59am

  You could try striming it with a "swathing" action first, removing the windrow before cutting then, I find this works quite well aslong as its dry, otherwise its a long slog.
• 

  Alex Moore June 16, 2014 at 10:45am

  I find that the majority of long grass jobs I take on are seldom straight forward and require strimming first. Then I rake the waste up onto a long tarpaulin and remove. Personally I opt for a return visit (which is priced in) by then the grass has sorted itself ready for a second cut.
• 

  Colin Hunt June 16, 2014 at 5:01pm

  I'd go along with Alex - strim first to remove the bulk, then two or three passes with a rotary. We use a Honda with side chute, which clears the grass out and away - much kinder on the mower.
  
  Alex Moore said:

  I find that the majority of long grass jobs I take on are seldom straight forward and require strimming first. Then I rake the waste up onto a long tarpaulin and remove. Personally I opt for a return visit (which is priced in) by then the grass has sorted itself ready for a second cut.
• 

  Paul McNulty June 16, 2014 at 5:43pm

  Done one today, last cut in October and a lot of it was coming on a metre high.

  Strimmed and raked the worst up, left it to dry a bit whilst I did the hedges, then three or four goes with the mower.

  That was still only the highest setting, one notch down for the last "stripe". Any more and it'd be completely brown, but it will need another go over in a week easily.
• 

  Colin Hunt June 16, 2014 at 6:01pm

  Good point there Paul - 'left it to dry a bit', I know it's not always possible, but a drying day is most helpful and will make life a lot easier.
  
  Paul McNulty said:

  Done one today, last cut in October and a lot of it was coming on a metre high.

  Strimmed and raked the worst up, left it to dry a bit whilst I did the hedges, then three or four goes with the mower.

  That was still only the highest setting, one notch down for the last "stripe". Any more and it'd be completely brown, but it will need another go over in a week easily.
• 

  Robert Keetley June 16, 2014 at 7:16pm

  I've done quite a few jobs like this, as I contract for a letting agent. I use my old red rover without the box on the highest setting, then rake it up, then go over it again with the box on & collect the cuttings.
  I'm not sure if its the short blades on the rovers that make it so good for the rough stuff, but they work.

  Rob
• 

  Graeme @ BGS June 16, 2014 at 8:09pm

  I really love these type of jobs as long as you cost it correctly!
  

  This particular job was mowed using the rough cut ride on mower but for smaller areas, strim and rake and then mow with the roller mower.

  
• 

  Sarah Russell June 16, 2014 at 8:25pm

  I use my old mountfield wheeled roller on its highest setting and I then mow it with the mower tilted up on its rear wheels. It works a treat! You can then work on getting it lower with the mower on all four wheels. For best results the grass has to be dry though.
• 

  Bespoke Lawncare June 16, 2014 at 8:39pm

  Etesia Bahia with the side flap held open with a bungee strap then close strap and collect
  If a small lawn Viking 750 without box on takes it down then box on and collect