A number of years back I was using my Gravely with the 30" front deck to maintain the open areas. I was using a weed-wacker and a brush cutter to maintain the bankings and other difficult areas. It was very time consuming. I brought the Gravely back to the city property. I've been having someone brush hog the open areas the past several years. The brush hog is mounted on the back of a tractor. They drive around the open areas. The periphery, bankings, and other difficult areas are becoming over-run with brush and bramble. The hillside needs to be taken back from the brush and poplar saplings. I also need to open up a trail to the far corner of the property. I originally thought that the open front deck, as in your picture, would be my best option. Now I'm thinking that the mulching head would be more suitable. I have to give this serious thought.
What I liked about the Gravely was that it was easy to run it into the tree line on the periphery. The people doing the brush hogging don't back into the tree line. As a result the tree line is being taken over with brush and brambles.
Once I smooth everything out and get good grass going, I think I'll just have the wife mow it with a riding mower.
Thanks for relaying your experience
RonL