I have 3.25 acres here in Chappell Hill. I've mowed it several times via a tractor with a 6' rotary mower, and via a 48" Bad Boy and a 54" bad boy (all borrowed - I don't own anything to mow it with yet.).
The tractor worked well, but there was a lot of tall grass/weeds at the time. It's a coarse cut, and for long term cutting, I don't think it's a solution. Lots of trees to go around, and I will eventually have a good size a lawn area around the house.
The Bad Boys are cool machines (a zero turn mower). Lots of power, but each time I use one, I feel like Pig Pen from the Charlie Brown cartoon strip. A cloud of dust follows you around - EVERYWhERE. Now, if my lot had solid, even grass with no open dirt spots, I might have another opinion, but as my lot is now, and probably how it will be for the next few years, I dread mowing it with the Bad Boy. During allergy season, I have to wear a good dust mask, wear full goggles, and ear protection, of I pay for it that night and the next several days.
I've been thinking that a flail mower with finishing paddles might be the ticket (the spoon shaped cutters - not the Y shaped cutters). I understand they leave no windrows, they area quiet, and I would be more removed from the "action" than the Bad Boy (in other words, mowing is not taking place under my bum, but way out behind the tractor).
Anyone here have a tractor-pulled flail for this size acreage? Or, do you have experience with a flail mower?
Any other ideas for a mower? When my wife and I are both on Bad Boys, (She on a 48" and me on a 54") we can mow the entire lot in 2.5 hours.
Thanks, Todd