Rotary Cutter Large Area Mowing

[golfsuper]

Yup. We aim to confuse.

Not sure what your tractor is rated for hp, I sure can't see 50 hp running a 12 foot hog???? Possibly an 8 foot, more likely a 7 foot? The highway crews run 15 foot models, and use 150hp or bigger tractors.

I run a 12 foot flail mower with 60 hp, and would not want any less hp - I can bog it down, but it runs fast enough to need to hang on to the trctor. But I think a good flail might do more of what you want than a hog. Flail doesn't like rocks and stumps very well, your rough ground is just rough, not obstructions?

Now, for my soapbox, which you can please totally disregard. Why would someone want to mow 50 acres just ot mow it? Put that land to some use - rent it for hay making, or crops or something. Go native and let prairie grow on it. Pasture it with critters. Sure seems wasteful to me to mow 50 acres for no gain. I farm for a living, I have a 8 acre wet area that I still float a small tractor and hay mower over it, make hay off of it even if it's not the best hay, just can't stand to waste land, it's all so valuable for growing feed/food. Can't imagine just mowing 50 acres for nothing.

There, I feel better. Off my soapbox. You might have fire issues and need to keep it down, or it's just yours, you can do whatever you want with it, none of my business.

Without knowing the situation, I think perhaps you need to look at 50 acres of wild territiory a little differently than you look at a golf course, and let it be a little tangled and uneven. The flail mower might work a tad closer to what you want, but I don't think you can actually do exactly what you want - rough ground and smooth lawn just doesn't add up.

--->Paul

It's a high end, residential development. Marketing is the reason for mowing it, boss wants it looking pretty. There will be less mowing as the development fills up, but Ill still have uses for the mower. Namely, mowing down the natural areas on the golf course. We have 30 ares or so of pasture/fescue we mow a couple times a year to keep the woody stuff under control. Golf courses in general are going this route to save money and reduce pesticide and ferilizer usage.:thumbsup:

 

[james948]

I have a L5030 and a Woods 208-2 twin spindle 8' that I have been using for the past few years to cut 30-35 acres. I works just fine for me, I'm not sure how much bigger I would want to go on this tractor (but 10-12' shouldn't be that much of a difference); it works great for basic field maintenance and keeping paths cut, but it can be a little slow going on really heavy areas with pesky little saplings and such. I primarily use it for basic field cutting now that everything gets cut regularly and it works great, I can cruise through the fields at around 6-8mph

James

 

[golfsuper]

I have a L5030 and a Woods 208-2 twin spindle 8' that I have been using for the past few years to cut 30-35 acres. I works just fine for me, I'm not sure how much bigger I would want to go on this tractor (but 10-12' shouldn't be that much of a difference); it works great for basic field maintenance and keeping paths cut, but it can be a little slow going on really heavy areas with pesky little saplings and such. I primarily use it for basic field cutting now that everything gets cut regularly and it works great, I can cruise through the fields at around 6-8mph

James

Thanks, that's very helpful. How long does it take you to do 30-35 acres?

 

[Hollow]

Look at a Rhino TS12 or a Bushhog 2212. They don't require a lot of HP and the flex deck will give you a better cut on rough terrain. Land Pride also has one to compete but I can't remember what the model number is. If you get one I would spring for deck rings to protect the framing underneath the deck. They'll cost a little more but worth it. But as far as HP recommendations, I don't pay them any attention. I've pulled a Bushhog 3715 with a Ford 5610 around hills that would make some people poop their pants without any problems. The highway department uses 7000 series JD's to mow around here and it is such a waste.

 

[leonz]

It's a high end, residential development. Marketing is the reason for mowing it, boss wants it looking pretty. There will be less mowing as the development fills up, but Ill still have uses for the mower. Namely, mowing down the natural areas on the golf course. We have 30 ares or so of pasture/fescue we mow a couple times a year to keep the woody stuff under control. Golf courses in general are going this route to save money and reduce pesticide and ferilizer usage.:thumbsup:

Now that we know a little more about this-

The flailmower as a MOWER is what you want for this work, not a bush hog or rear finish mower in any circumstance as the flail mower used in vineyard service will mow every thing for you. Flailmowers do not scalp like a rotary cutter or brush hog would scalp and the entire width of the flailmower is cutting what ever is in front of it versus only one blade of the rotary cutter or mower.

The flailmower will also automatically stripe your mowing at no extra cost as the rear roller comes as standard equipment.

 

[jenkinsph]

Now that we know a little more about this-

The flailmower as a MOWER is what you want for this work, not a bush hog or rear finish mower in any circumstance as the flail mower used in vineyard service will mow every thing for you. Flailmowers do not scalp like a rotary cutter or brush hog would scalp and the entire width of the flailmower is cutting what ever is in front of it versus only one blade of the rotary cutter or mower.

The flailmower will also automatically stripe your mowing at no extra cost as the rear roller comes as standard equipment.

I should point out that Leonz is adamant about flail mowers being the best at everything. Haven't seen a thread where he would recommend anything else.

I would recommend a good rotary finish mower for cutting this fescue.

 

[OrangeToys]

I'm sort of in the same situation where I would like to find something to cut large amounts but I need it to fit on a trailer

 

[leonz]

It's a high end, residential development. Marketing is the reason for mowing it, boss wants it looking pretty. There will be less mowing as the development fills up, but Ill still have uses for the mower. Namely, mowing down the natural areas on the golf course. We have 30 ares or so of pasture/fescue we mow a couple times a year to keep the woody stuff under control. Golf courses in general are going this route to save money and reduce pesticide and ferilizer usage.:thumbsup:

Please look up Island tractors post about flail mowers
and the rough cut flailmower that he uses on his island property.

He mows a lot of heavy brush/scrub brush that he mows down
with it as well.

He has excellent before and after pictures of his mowing with
the Caroni BSC model flailmower he uses which utilises a 2 row
knife rotor for mowing.

Once you see his pictures you will agree the BSC Model or a
flail type finish mower will work well for you.

Even though I own a 48 inch motorised flail mower with a
collection basket that is 32 years old it still runs very well with
lttle maintenance other than new bearings and small engine parts
over thirty two years. I use the flailmower for mowing heavy brush
and good grass and have done so for years with no issues.

I would suggest that you examine the threads and posts on flailmowers
if you would like to read it in the attachment section as it is over one
hundred pages in length.

 

[golfsuper]

I think I've got enough info to work with, appreciate the help. And yes, I've got the search function figured out now so I see there's lots of info on the topic. Thanks to all.

 

[james948]

Thanks, that's very helpful. How long does it take you to do 30-35 acres?

I usually get it done in around 8 hours, sometimes a bit longer if I haven't been keeping up with it as I should :laughing: Best I have done is around 6.

James