Grass cutters - Looking for a reasonable 2nd hand one

[IanMelb]

Hi all

I'm on our local Village Playing Fields Committee. We've got a good field, suitable for both cricket and football (in fact a number of other villages pay us for the use of it because they cannot match the quality)

Anyway, our current grass cutter is looking a bit long in the tooth and has had quite a few extensions to its 'use by' date, so we're looking for a replacement.

We've managed to secure a 'Grassroots Grant' (guess they couldn't refuse with that name) for a reasonable dollop of the cash, but we've got to provide a couple of quotes.

Thing is, we don't think we're going to get a decent NEW triple gang mower for the 5-6k we can raise, so we're looking at the 2nd hand market.

Now I know this is a hard-landscapers forum, but I guess that there are a few of you out there who have experience of the soft, green stuff.

Any pointers regarding makes, models, places to get the kit, etc would be welcome

Many thanks

Ian

[Tommy]

Well, for a triple, your looking at either Ransomes, or Hayter. Both cost upwards of 19k new, so a bit out of you price range.

We currently are using a Hayter lt324, which is the middle model (i think) which runs on the standard, amenity cut blades, and is easily capable of producing quality pitches - Does a bietter job than our Gang mowers

We have 15 football, and 4 rugby pitches. With two of the football being of FA standard.

Similarly, when I worked for the council, I operated a Ransomes Parkway 2250 plus. which was used mainly for rough cut areas, but I did use it occaisionally for sports pitches.

The Ransomes is more reliable, and heavier duty, in my opinion, and whilst not having many problems with the hayter as yet (touch wood) is flimsier, and has a much more complicated mechanics.

We have our Hayter on hire, but since we hired in two brand new John Deere Zero turns, and a Kubota rotary, they chucked the Hayter in the contract for free.

As for 2nd hand machines, I'd have a look-see at the hirers and Big leasing companies, who replace decent machines after 2-3 years, in favour of new models and such, so you may be able to drop on something.

Hope this is of some help

[dig dug dan]

I brought an 03 reg john deere triple two years ago for 4k from an auction. Spent £600 having it sharpened and serviced up, and it runs like a dream. Only 900hours on the clock
the only advice i can offer, is the blades need constant attention. regular back lapping and re-setting to the bottom blade. once it hits a tiny stone or two, its got to be re-set. pain, but the contract i have for mowing states gang mowers, so it has to be done!
All rotary work, i have a port agric scimtar 5' rear mounted topper.
Best topper on the market, as it has no belt drive. this means no adjustments or belt changing, and no loss of power

[GB_Groundworks]

we also have a john deere triple rotary for 3 rugby pitches at our club, picked it up from local dealer although was about £8k buts its a big one with a cab and 4x4, does a great job and has about a 10 foot cut. like dan says blades require regular adjustment to get the best from it, like any tool.

[Tommy]

I completely forgot about the Deere machines, although, if I aint mistaken, the cutting heads dont fold completely up like the Ransomes/Hayter machines. All depends on whether it will be doing a lot of travelling, or just on site all the time.

[IanMelb]

It'll be onsite all the time, the boundary for the field is pretty much 1/3 of a mile, so a bit of 2PIr and PIr^2 gives about 22,350 sq metres ...

Thanks for all your comments so far - it looks like it's "do-able" but may not be easy to get two quotes (i.e. buying at auction, etc)

Ian

[Tommy]

The site below has a few decent 2nd hand machines that are near your budget. Based in the midlands (i think)

http://www.hughiewillett.co.uk/acatalog/Mowers.html

[IanMelb]

Cheers Tommy, that looks a pretty useful site