Finally got the new mowers up and running and gave them a spin. Cut the front and back at .7 since it had gotten a little tall during the past few days of rain. Really impressed with the difference these have over the Mclane. Plan on creeping it down to .5 over the next week or so and see how it does.

 

Little time load never hurt anyone!

 

Looking good. Still amazed at how well the 2 JD's cleaned up. Makes me want to go detail my toro again. Yours look almost brand new

 

Ya they really surprised me as well. They both cut great, except something seems to be going on with the reel on the 180c. Now I have to contemplate putting a little more time and money into it or just let her go.

 

Is there any play in the reel? Grab it and and see if you can slightly move it from side to side. If so might need new bearings. I would actually try to keep the 180c working over the 180b just because it is newer.

 

@Ral1121 When the reel is spinning it appears to have a wobble. I can't tell if the reel is unbalanced or possibly a busted bearing. I really wanna keep the C as well, that's why I might sell the old Mclane and just use that money to buy a new reel and bearings.

 

By grabbing and pulling in all directions on the reel it should be pretty obvious if a bearing is bad. Any play in any direction means a bad bearing. If there is no play maybe the reel is coned which would mean it needs a grinding and new bedknife. If you do need a new reel maybe take the reel from the 180b to use on the 180c. Not sure if they are compatible but I would think so. You would then just need new bearings. You could fix the 180b at a later time too.

 

No play when I just use my hands, but once it's spinning it looks like it's moving around. Can't tell if it's the reel being out of shape or actually moving, no crazy vibrations though. Either going to take it apart and see what it does swapping it out or just take it to a shop and let them look at it.

 

If you are looking for someone to do the work for you, you can call Silverhorn golf course here in San Antonio and ask to speak to Arnold. He does sharpenings,(only spin grinding) but also does all the maintenance and work as well. I don't know what he charges but it will probably be cheaper then most other places especially some of the golf dealers around. I know it is a bit of a drive but depending on what part of Austin you are in, it is probably only a little over an hour away.

 

If you are looking for someone to do the work for you, you can call Silverhorn golf course here in San Antonio and ask to speak to Arnold. He does sharpenings,(only spin grinding) but also does all the maintenance and work as well. I don't know what he charges but it will probably be cheaper then most other places especially some of the golf dealers around. I know it is a bit of a drive but depending on what part of Austin you are in, it is probably only a little over an hour away.

Just add it to my tab :roll: . I'm north Austin so that course would be about a 2hr drive, so go ahead and call it 5 with traffic lol. There is a place up here that works on reel mowers I'll try out. I think I can get everything swapped out on my own, just need to have the reel and knife ground.

 

With the greensmower up and running I want to get my HOC to .5", so today I did a summer scalp and took it down to .38" to reset everything.

Definitely lost most of the green . I put down 2lb/1k of fertilizer and plan on watering that in tonight.

 

My awn has hit struggle bus central! With the 6MO becoming more active and my work schedule increasing I find my self struggling to find time for my lawn. But never the less I continue to the venture. The lawn appears to be recovering from the scalp I did last week, but this has also brought with it new problems. I believe I have fertilizer burn in a few areas, and possibly some fungus creeping in. But my biggest concern is the three areas in my front lawn that for the life of me I can't get to fill in. If I can get my hands on a pro plugger I might try that next.

Still enjoying the JD180B, hopefully the 180C will be ready to step up and take her place here this week! one thing the greens mower has taught me though is that I need a lotttt more sand :lol: Back yard is manageable, but the front yard is a mine zone. hopefully I can get this under control before season ends,

 

Went all out today. Started off the day mowing at .5", edged and trimmed everything. Got a wild hair and decided to go for it with the PGR. Mixed up 4gallons at a rate of .25/1000sqft. Sprayed away!! See how the lawn reacts.

Pics post mow:

 

How do you like mowing with a greens mower with all those obstacles in the front

 

@Ral1121 it can be a pain, but I've figured out a pattern that works. Clean it up with the LB afterwards. Half tempted to just plant some bushes around it and call it a day though.

 

Started to have a grub issue a couple weeks back.
8/2




Used a bayer product from HD and allowed the grass to come out of the last PGR app. Kept to my usual fertilizer schedule and the grass has rebounded!

8/26





Still have a few areas in the front lawn struggling to fill in commpletley. Trying something new and used a mix of local soil mix and sand to fill them in.

 

Looking at getting a game plan set for a winter overseed project. Plan on using a perineal rye grass, just haven't settled in one yet.

 

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Pic with the golf ball is crazy cool!

 

I have never seen trees outlined like you have them. They appear to be sunken down a bit and it looks very cool. I hate mulch and have wanted to do something different with my trees. So if I may ask...how did you do it and what if I made the diameter of the circle smaller? Thanks...

 

@ctrav I just used a manual edger to create the sharp drop and clean edge. Removed all of the dirt to that level(about 1-2 inches). Just put a couple handfuls of mulch on top. To keep it clean I will hit it with the string trimmer or rotary scissors. You can make the diameter whatever shape or size you chose. Once the dirt and grass are pulled away it might be a pain to back fill though.

The sharp drop really helps to prevent the Bermuda from spreading into the beds or trees.

Connor ward gave me the idea.

 

@ctrav I just used a manual edger to create the sharp drop and clean edge. Removed all of the dirt to that level(about 1-2 inches). Just put a couple handfuls of mulch on top. To keep it clean I will hit it with the string trimmer or rotary scissors. You can make the diameter whatever shape or size you chose. Once the dirt and grass are pulled away it might be a pain to back fill though.

The sharp drop really helps to prevent the Bermuda from spreading into the beds or trees.

Connor ward gave me the idea.

Wow thanks for the explanation and video! I agree it will be a pain and I'm debating on how to do it but I want to see how the overall yard will look. I will eventually post when I do it even if that's next spring...

 

It looks good, Flynt. Have you taken a long screwdriver or such to poke down into the soil in the areas you're experiencing issues with? Sometimes there is building debris under the soil, or large rocks (gotta love all the damned limestone we have) that are just under the surface of the soil, totally inhibiting the grass' ability to thrive.

Looks really good over all. When you did your bids on those 180's, did they show the grass catchers as part of it, or did you have to call to inquire about that? I'm seriously thinking about doing the auction myself. I would really prefer a 22 or 26" model, but I can see jumping on an 18" and then selling it later if I find a 22 or 26. I may reach out to you at some point on the shipping company, etc by PM if that's okay with you?

 

It looks good, Flynt. Have you taken a long screwdriver or such to poke down into the soil in the areas you're experiencing issues with? Sometimes there is building debris under the soil, or large rocks (gotta love all the damned limestone we have) that are just under the surface of the soil, totally inhibiting the grass' ability to thrive.

Looks really good over all. When you did your bids on those 180's, did they show the grass catchers as part of it, or did you have to call to inquire about that? I'm seriously thinking about doing the auction myself. I would really prefer a 22 or 26" model, but I can see jumping on an 18" and then selling it later if I find a 22 or 26. I may reach out to you at some point on the shipping company, etc by PM if that's okay with you?

Man I've taken a screwdriver/shovel to these areas and removed everything I could find. At this point I'm wondering if something was spilled in that area during construction.

As far as the auction, everything is as shown. So if you see a grass catcher it has one, if there is not one in the pic, it won't come with one. I've been happy with the 18", anything larger would be to big for my lawn.

 

Ok, that's good to know. All of the ones that I see coming up don't seem to have a grass catcher, and that is something I definitely want. I'll see about making contact with the auction folks to double check. If not, I'll hold off for another auction.

 

So I feel like a total failureee, really let you guys down with my log. But with the new baby and work and school, I don't know Ho I managed to keep up with the yard.

The days are getting shorter and the wind is starting to bring with it a touch of cool weather. Thus we must be coming to the end of our journey my dear Bermuda.

BUT don't you fear....I'll be here waiting one youbawake from your much needed nap we call winter dormancy. You did me well my old friend, when I messed you up, you recovered and asked for more. We created a bond that my wife envies(she literally loved the look of the lawn, but hated how much time I spend in it.) Neighbor's from far and wide would stop to take a look at you, you may not have seen there jaws drop as they ran there fingers through your shirt clean cut hair, but I did. Some would call you fake, others would ask us our secrets. I would tell them a tale of a man, the man who brought us together like so many other, the man, the myth, the legend TLF AKA @Ware. Some tried to compete, but many failed.

As we come to a seasons end, fear not my old friend. I will be overseed if your fertile soil with an old cousin, twice removed and once remarried (PRG). Image may take your place for the time being, but know that Bermuda holds my heart! Let's give the readers some flash back clips of our adventure!!