quality of cut from disc mower

[Builder]

Can you use a disc mower to cut a customer's field that is not for hay? Like customers with a large pasture that want a semi-finish-looking cut? I realize it won't leave a cut like a true finish mower.

Or what would a disc mower cut be like compared to a twin spindle bush-hog kind of cut?

[Robert_in_NY]

Yes you can but if it is a mower/conditioner it will move the cut material into the middle some (even on the widest swath). I have one guy who hires me to mow his field twice a year with my 9' discbine and he is happy as after a week you don't notice the mowed grass much at all.

[RickB]

Or what would a disc mower cut be like compared to a twin spindle bush-hog kind of cut?

Way, way better.

[Builder]

Yes you can but if it is a mower/conditioner it will move the cut material into the middle some (even on the widest swath). I have one guy who hires me to mow his field twice a year with my 9' discbine and he is happy as after a week you don't notice the mowed grass much at all.

Right, that's what I'm thinking. The disc mower would not winrow the material, so the cuttings look more spread around. This would work better since they don't want hay.

[art]

A bush hog style mower will do mutipule cuts or shredding of the hay, a discbine style would which only makes one cut and then lays it down making a windrow that might make the next mowing more difficult.

If there was to be a second cut in a season it might be more difficult after a discbines single cut as the hay would not have been able to decompose as it might after a full year.

[VALENT]

The cutting will be far superior. But, the grass will be full length lying there. If the grass is short when you cut it, it will be a wonderful looking job. If the grass is long, there will be a lot of material lying on top. I dont think you need to worry much about future cutting as the disc cutters will suck it up and run it through as it cuts the grass that is there.

[Robert_in_NY]

A bush hog style mower will do mutipule cuts or shredding of the hay, a discbine style would which only makes one cut and then lays it down making a windrow that might make the next mowing more difficult.

If there was to be a second cut in a season it might be more difficult after a discbines single cut as the hay would not have been able to decompose as it might after a full year.

I didn't have any issues cutting again and again. The first time I cut the field was last year then again this year and once more 6 weeks later. The hay was never picked up but left in as wide a swath as possible. I was originally worried it would be an issue but it wasn't.

[Builder]

Then what's the best choice for cutting small (2-8 acre) fields that won't be put in hay?

Maybe a heavy duty finish mower? It sounds like that would be too slow.

[Robert_in_NY]

A rotary cutter is whats best as its much cheaper to repair if you find a hidden obstruction. They are slower but for 2-8 acre fields a 8-10' cutter would be more then adequate.

I only cut fields I know very well with my discbine, if I have never been in them before I use my rotary cutter.