Mowing Big Lots

What do we mean when we say “mowing big lots?” We are talking about acreage mowing, lot mowing, the mowing of a property which is an acre or more in size, a lot much too large to mow with a commercial “push/power” mower.

This, then, is a discussion about mowing big lots, which mowers are best for the job, cost considerations, and a few odds and ends thrown in for free.

We are Keith’s Tractor Mowing, serving the Greater Fort Worth area. Call us for information and price quotes. Even though we are located in Fort Worth, the information in this article pretty much applies for any major city in the U.S.

Mower choice

As a general rule of thumb, a ¼ acre of land is about the maximum limit for using a walk-behind mower.  A quarter-acre is a huge amount of mowing using a walk-behind.  Plan on a couple hours minimum for such a job.  And if it’s a couple hours for a quarter-acre, imagine how long it will take, using a commercial walk-behind, to mow an acre or more?

For perspective, and to help you visualize, an acre lot is about the size of a football field.  Now imagine mowing a football field using your TORO 1.2 horsepower walk-behind mower.

So, let’s all agree that a walk-behind is out of the question, which leaves you with a riding lawnmower, which usually has at least a 42” mowing swath, or a tractor mower for the ultimate big lot mowing jobs.

Which is best for your situation? Cost will help you answer that question.

Costs to consider

Riding lawnmowers cost a pretty penny, starting in the $1500 range and going up to $5000 or so.  Those costs may seem steep, but there is no doubt that a riding lawnmower will cut down the time it takes you to mow that acreage.

Next up the ladder, in cost, is tractor mowing equipment, which generally costs in the neighborhood of $5,000-$15,000.  A quality tractor mower can do several acres in less than an hour, and they also have brush hog attachments so you can tackle the tough jobs of land clearing, but for many the cost is prohibitive.

The other option you have is to hire tractor mowing services to do your mowing for you. They generally cost around $75-$100 per hour, which may seem like a steep price, but compared to purchasing a tractor mower, maybe not so steep after all.

What’s right for your situation?

Unfortunately, we can’t answer this question for you.  You know your budget.  You know the amount of “free time” you can devote to lot mowing.  Only you can decide whether you should spend thousands on a riding mower or a tractor mower, or pay someone else to do it. The only thing we can do is give you the facts.

Remember, also, the safety factor. The bigger the mower, the most risk involved.

A word about Keith’s Tractor Mowing

For over twenty years, Keith’s Tractor Mowing has been the trusted name in commercial mowing in the Fort Worth area. Call us for a quote for your big lot mowing job.