Flail Mower Flail mower vs. rotary? (pros & cons)

[IslandTractor]

I can imagine the flail mower having most of the same problems mentioned above as the finish mower.

Not really. It is more tolerant of rocks, brush etc. It never bogs down because it has one large roller not wheels. And flails are WAY quieter than either a bush hog or a finish mower.

 

[johnstractorworks]

Thanks for the great info. I've been on the fence about adding a flail to my inventory and now I guess i'll start looking for one. I have a 40hp Mahindra and was thinking of a 7 foot HD flail. What do you think?

 

[Piston]

I've often thought about a flail as well. I'd like to give one a shot but I buy most of my implements used, and they are fewer and further between than a rotary mower in the used market. One of these days I might just break down and buy a new one.

You can't beat the simplicity of a brush mower, however, if we all used that logic, then we'd all be driving around in the most basic, simple tractors anyways (and that certainly isn't true of most of us) :thumbsup:

 

[leonz]

Thanks for the great info. I've been on the fence about adding a flail to my inventory and now I guess i'll start looking for one. I have a 40hp Mahindra and was thinking of a 7 foot HD flail. What do you think?

About your mowing,

You should have plenty power with your tractor, the issue is your mowing conditions and the need to dlow down a bit to adjust for the mowing conditions. As I have stated previously my dad used a Ford Jubilee with a John Deere 7 foot 25A finish flail mower to reclaim and manage overgrown pasture that had 10 -12 foot golden rod and other weeds.


There are many good used and new flail mowers for sale on tractor house and other internet sites.


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Once you go flail you never go back:thumbsup::licking::drool:
Pronovost or not at all!!!:thumbsup::licking::drool:

 

[IslandTractor]

You can't beat the simplicity of a brush mower, however, if we all used that logic, then we'd all be driving around in the most basic, simple tractors anyways (and that certainly isn't true of most of us) :thumbsup:

I agree that a rotary "bush hog" is a simpler and easier, cheaper to maintain mowing device. If you are only mowing rough fields and are nowhere near roads, houses or playing kids they certainly make a lot of sense. Flails are a bit higher maintenance but give better cuts and have a significant safety advantage as well as better maneuverability and smaller overall footprint for equal cutting swath. As a flail can give close to a finish mower cut it also potentially saves the cost of an added mower for some people with yards and fields to mow.

 

[Green Acres Homestead]

Is a flail mower fairly resistant to damage if they hit a rock. Our property has a fair share of rocks but I would like a flail because I could do other peoples lawn. I have a l4740 and would like an offset for mowing atv trails, road side stuff.

 

[IslandTractor]

Is a flail mower fairly resistant to damage if they hit a rock. Our property has a fair share of rocks but I would like a flail because I could do other peoples lawn. I have a l4740 and would like an offset for mowing atv trails, road side stuff.

The mower will be fine. You might lose a knife or two. The mower will vibrate differently if you lose a set of knives. Still possible to keep mowing but replace the lost blades as soon as convenient.

I live in New England and we grow rocks as a winter crop here. I lose several sets of knives every spring. PITA but doesn't hurt the mower.

 

[Green Acres Homestead]

Thanks for the info island tractor. We have a nice crop of rocks here in Cape Breton as well. lol.. So if I buy a good brand and use it about 100 hours a year, should I assume I should not have to many problems(other than replacing knives) for 5 years or so?

 

[Green Acres Homestead]

How high can you set most of the flail mowers. Can you get is up 6 inches or so? I assume you can run it up of the ground using the 3 point hitch?

 

[IslandTractor]

Thanks for the info island tractor. We have a nice crop of rocks here in Cape Breton as well. lol.. So if I buy a good brand and use it about 100 hours a year, should I assume I should not have to many problems(other than replacing knives) for 5 years or so?

Mine is 8 years old. I mow about 30hrs/yr. Half meadow and half BushHog type brush mowing. Replaced a bunch of knives and am on my third set of belts. Grease before every mowing session. Mine has dents from rocks but otherwise is near perfect. Still works exactly as it did when new.