[thunderbirl]

I've recently figured out that the 60" mower on my CC3225 is really good at striping and wanted to share the outcome. All it seems to take is a roller that (mostly) flattens the grass in the direction of travel and you have to mow back and forth. The down side is that it takes 3-4 widths of mowing at the edges or you have to stop, back up, restart the PTO and then mow. I've done it a couple times now and found it takes no longer than mowing in circles and it's a nice effect.

Picture 1: Yes those are deer! The oak tree dropped acorns this year!

Picture 2: The swale you see in the upper left was dug with my CC3225!

Picture 3: Bigger picture of stripes. I mow about 2 acres.

Picture 4: This is my 3225 after I gave the wheels a little accent last year!

 

[PurplDodge]

My 1440 laid down some pretty good stripes today at the Apartments, and I dont even have a roller bar. Sorry, but I dont have any pics.

 

[Gary in NJ]

Very nice! Is that just from driving back-n-forth rows?

 

[Glad2bHere]

Very nice. You have a beautiful place. I am envious.

 

[savageactor7]

Real nice gently swale trench you dug there thunderbirl.

 

[thunderbirl]

PurplDodge - The 291 mower has four rollers that effectively cover the entire width of the back. I'd heard that striping took rollers to bend the grass in opposite directions - now I guess not! I had this mower for three years and never new it could do this!

Gary - Just back'n'forth! It turns out to take no more time.

Glad2bHere - Thanks for the kind words.

 

[thunderbirl]

savageactor7 -

I have the hydro-tiller and a johnny bucket Jr. It took a couple days to till a swath, then turn and scoop. The swale keeps the rain cascading down the hillside to the left from getting down to the flatter ground outside the basement walkout on the right. It's made an amazing difference in the spring and fall.

 

[PurplDodge]

PurplDodge - The 291 mower has four rollers that effectively cover the entire width of the back. I'd heard that striping took rollers to bend the grass in opposite directions - now I guess not! I had this mower for three years and never new it could do this!

Mine does it because the way the rear of my deck rolls over the ground. But the downfall of not having a roller is it will only stripe under specific conditions. Mine only stripes on that back area, and it doesnt really show everywhere else.

 

[Gary in NJ]

OK, the tiller loosened the soil. The JB moved it. What did you used to grade and then level the ground?

 

[thunderbirl]

Gary,

Not sure I understand the question.

I scooped the dirt of the swale and dumped on the downhill side. I tilled the whole area about 3" deep so that I could work the soil. I contoured and dragged it smooth with the JBjr (going backwards with the bucket tipped so that I had an "edge" to work with). Got it close, then raked it out and planted grass seed. Nothing too inventive - just using the tools I had.

 

[Gary in NJ]

Not sure I understand the question.

You answered it. I was wondering if you used a york rake and rollers, but you used the JB.

Well done.

 

[thunderbirl]

Gary,

Every time we meet on this board I learn something. I never knew what a york rake was until you raised it as something that might be useful for me. Thanks!

 

[Gary in NJ]

A york rake is a very useful tool for finish grading.

The reason I asked the question is that I have a very lumpy section of lawn behind my house. It knocks me out of my seat it is so uneven. After seeing your photos I'm inspired to regrade that section using a tiller, my dozer blade and a york rake.

 

[thunderbirl]

I've got a section like that too - It's known as the "downhill rodeo ride"! I found some old photos that showed huge trees down on that part of the property and accounts for the bumps.

I've thought about getting some soil and filling it in. So far I've waited for the thoughts to pass - but if there's a tool that would make it that much easier...

Check this out -->> Taylor Rental !!

 

[diesel_nut]

Try to stripe bermuda sometime Maybe with some hair gel

 

[thunderbirl]

Try to stripe bermuda sometime Maybe with some hair gel

My local rental store has something for every need ---> Try this!

 

[diesel_nut]

Maybe with a hair dryer

 

[jsoluna]

Looks really professional thurnderbirl! I've become addicted to doing stripes an any lawn I can. It really brings out the contours of the land.