[4seasons]

I use mine with a defining blade(cuts down on the amount of debris) for spring muchings.
then the rest of the year with the new bed blade.
Spring definately on a weekly basis for about 2 months.
Rest of the year just whenever we rap up a landscape.-- some years more thAn others.
have a blade for low voltage installs-- but haven't used it yet becausemost of my install wouldbe on loose soil.
Another downfall of the machine is on loose soil-- edge isn't the best
Ifyou can get the people tolet you come back thefollowing year itedges alot better.

[NCSULandscaper]

Originally Posted by GLAN

Let me ask you guys using these machines....

Are they mostly for new bed creation?.........a once or twice a year?

What about on a weekly basis?

i use mine twice a year for full maintenance accounts, for spring and fall mulchings.........no need to do it weekly, just keep the edge maintained with a string trimmer

[GLAN]

That's what I thought Matt

Thanks

[kinnanscaping]

How many of you then use a border material? Either black plastic lining, natural stone, pavers, etc.? I am thinking back and looking at some of the installs that we did last year, and I am regretting the black edging. Even when I bought the heavy-duty 3/4" tubed stuff from my nursery, it was a pain to work with, and it never looked "nice." There were a couple of jobs that I just cut a nice edge for, and it looked much more natural. The simple cut was enough to hold back the mulch. No matter what you have in place, I think some mulch/rock/etc will end up out of the border.

[sandim]

We're young so we don't have a tremendous amount of equipment. Personally, I love an edged bed, period. No black tubing or pavers, unless necessary. Of course, each job has it's own character, but generally, unless there's a real necessity, a request by a client or some other beastie, we just edged with a flat spade or edging shovel. Seems to hold the mulch back and keep the edge (provided it's trimmed) for the better part of a growing season.
Hence the original post, we're trying to work smarter, not harder...

Based on that smarter, not harder, what happens with the Brown when you just need to clean up the edge? It almost appears to dig a fairly wide trench, if you have plant material somewhat close to the edge of the bed, how does that work?

[johnkeegan]

The "trench" itself isn't wide. The straight part of the edge goes maybe 3" deep and the 45 degree-angled part of the edge goes back into the bed maybe 5". However, the "hood" covering the blade , which catches the debris, does extend into the bed a little further. Rarely a problem, but if a shrub is right on the edge just release the handle that controls the blade as you approach it...swivel by the plant...re-engage the blade and go on your way.

[sandim]

Hmm, it all sounds good. I was poking on line last night and there don't appear to be any Brown dealers around here, but I did email them to see if there was.

Thanks much for everyone's input, it really sounds like it's worth the $$. Good to know before investing in equipment!

[GLAN]

Regarding edging material.....

Every time we use stone.....we put in an edge

For certain applications of mulch we use an edge.......basicaly where surface needs to be flat with the surrounding area.........as in a Swing Set

[Grubbworm]

I have used the yellow "BedShaper" for about 6 years and have saved a ton of labor & sore backs. It cost about $3700, hydrostatic drive, very fast. I use this on every new install job. I also use to slice good grass/soil and bury low voltage cable, electric dog fence wire, etc. About the only draw back is that it can not 'Man Handle' really hard clay soil as well. The salesman taught me a couple of tricks that help (put a weight on cutting wheel and use two pass's, one forward and the other back the other direction with a 3" gap between the two).
Anyway, if you install alot of new beds from scratch this thing is worth it!
Grubb Worm Landscaping - Home

[johnkeegan]

The Brown Bed Edger has not had any problems with even the hardpan soil around here. You may have to go a little slower but it handles it fine...and, again, I believe it cost around $2,500 (5-6 years ago).

[obryanmaint]

we use walker mower so have invested(many years ago) in a bed shaper that goes onto it....nothing is faster or more maneauverable.....but it would be overkill in a lot of situations



if i did not have a good plowing year long ago i would just rent or have bought a cheaper unit

although this thing will last 2 lifetimes of heavy use