Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants cutter/rake for weeds

do you guys use a cutter then a rake to help manage underwater weeds or is there an all in one tool? i ask cause i seen a tool that claims to do both cut and drag out what it cuts with it. seems like you'd need two seperate tools. how do you guys handle this? thanks. matt.

Could you please supply the name or link for this miraculous tool?

I use both the Jenson Lake Mower and Lake Rake. Sometimes a Weed Shear and a landscaping rake. Depends mostly on depth or proximity to the shore. I use the Lake Mower because it cuts everything fast. Then I either rake or float out the material. Did an 8 hour session a few days ago, mowing bulrushes, cattails, coontail, pondweed and that little spikey stuff near the shore.

The Weed Shear can be thrown, but I took all of that off and made and extension for one of the 2 foot sections to 8 feet. So I just use the handle, with about 14 feet of extensions. Then I landscape rake that material out. Some tight places, unknown underwater structure and on or near rocks for it.

I looked forever just to find a tool that would cut just about everything. I have to stop occasionally just to clear the cut material off of the shaft of the tools. I can't visualize a tool that could both cut and rake.

it's called the weed gator. you can search the net or i know for sure they have a video on you tube, search them there also.... perhaps they were just removing excess debris as you described but i figured they were claiming an all in one tool... check it out.

Same thing as the weed shear (or whatever its going by these days). extremely sharp blade on a pole with a rope attached. it works for light stuff, but you'll pull your arms off if you have anything that's matted/knotted or thick like cattails. good workout though.

How did the lake mower work? Did you like how it performed?

The Lake Mower is amazing. I like it because no gas motor, I cna run all day on a deep cycle, and if I use electric trolling, no exhaust and clean quiet run for myself and helper. It mows the toughest material or plants I have fast. Cattails and bulrushes. With new customers I always get a wow, what is that? But when they see it in action is the thrill. The other day I cut 5 different pond plants with it. There are some tricks to using it most effective. But it just makes easy work on deep water weeds. I had a pro video guy comeout and attach an underwater camera to the shaft above the cutter to get come footage for Jenson. Even he was amazed. Hopefully that will help Annamarie who is just a sweetheart. One thing about me, I do not endorse anything I do not use and get superior results with. I get superior results with the Lake Mower.

The weed shear or gator is for leftovers, or places I don't want to risk the Lake Mower. I don't want to get near large rocks, underwater obstructions ot trees. I have yet to break it, even blow a fuse. There is a breakaway bracket, but I keep it loose enough if I bottom out it pivots. My routine is to do everything I can with the Mower, and cleanup the rest with the Shear. I just don't have to throw it, because that is where I use the mower. But I did manufacture a 8 foot extension to replace one of the 2 footers. Gives you a good bicep and forearm workout, but on a fixed shaft it perfroms intricate cutting vs a yanked rope. I can cut within inches of desired plants. In one pond I use it to cut around lilies I am establishing. Out with the cattails, in with lilies. Down to 9 feet deep. Just like any other tool, there are a few tips to maximizing it's effectiveness for your job site and needs as well.

No tool I know of both cuts and rakes. Large harvesters cut and gather, but I don't go that large of scale. I don't need that investment. If you ever need any tips or tricks using any of those tools I will gladly pass them on.