Rotary Cutter Flail vs Brush cutter... Who wins?

[7sam15]

OK, new problem. I’m trying to decide between purchasing a medium duty rotary brush cutter (like a Woods 600 or BrushHog SQ600) and a flail for clearing my property. Either would be pulled behind a Kubota 3830 HST. I have used rotary cutters frequently to clear brush and heavy undergrowth. I have never used a flail before. Last night my neighbor brought his REARS SPF 5 foot flail over for a demonstration. He has been trying to convince me to skip the brush cutter and move up to the flail. He argues that it is a much strong tool which is better suited to clearing and maintaining my land.

Now the difference in price between the brush cutter and flail is substantial so I was doubtful that it would be a wise investment.

After last night I’m almost convinced. The flail was really amazing pulled behind a JD970. What I liked best was its ability to actually turn the mulched debris into the surface dirt. It left a much cleaner result than the brush hog. It didn’t bog on 6 foot high Scotch Broom, dense blackberry or 2-3 thick Holly trees. Really impressive!

So am I being bamboozled here?

Is the flail an appropriate tool in the long term? Are there downsides to the flail over the brush cutter? Is there anything that makes the brush cutter better?

Have you ever heard of “Rears” as a brand name? What other flails would you recommend I investigate?

Thanks for your time. My dealer is going to laugh…..


7sam15

 

[jrlichina]

Yes they do cost more but you get what you pay for. Also, why do you think all those tractors used to cut grass along the highways use flail mowers...because they are better. If you can afford one and you feel it produces better(or rather your desired) results get it.

 

[7sam15]

I imagine its poor form to reply to your own post…. I just finished searching the archives for information on flails. I found many comments that “They don’t work well on grass and heavy brush.”

Wow.. That’s really different from my short experience last night. The flail I used cut everything it ran over to less than 1 inch high.

Why is my experience so different from the collective wisdom? I don’t want to buy the wrong thing and this discrepancy has me worried…


7sam15

 

[Gatorboy]

<font color="blue"> Also, why do you think all those tractors used to cut grass along the highways use flail mowers </font>

Actually, I think it is because they are less likely to throw objects. They can't be damaging cars all day.

--

The cut from a flail mower is very distinctive and different from rotary mowers. The blades are often Y-shaped (or sometimes, half a "Y"), thus the mown grass has a combed or ridged appearance. Some people like this effect; some do not.

You can cut alot shorter with a flail mower -- which is why they are used on golf courses, parks, etc. But normally, you would be cutting your grass 3+".

I believe you can mow alot faster with a rotary mower than you can with a flail mower.

I don't see the advantage of paying the extra money for a flail mower for my uses -- but everyone has different needs.

 

[shady1701]

I seen a article on jd and said you can mow up to 7mph with a flail mower and claim it does all what you say. Not sure what mph but 7mph seems like pretty fast for cutting heavy brush?

 

[40Kchicks]

I have been wondering the same thing.

I go down the highways and see the crews chewing up 4 foot grass and brush all the time. But I borrowed my neighbors 7' flail and I had to use a lot of power and go slow to keep it from winding up. I was just mowing thin 2' tall grass. I was really disappointed although the cut was really nice.

Anouther friend just bought a 6' or 7' rears flail for his hazel nut orchard. It was full of grass and weeds up to the tractor. Like your experience the flail just chopped it down to dirt.

So is the diffence that one is new and the others cutters need changed or different flails are made for different jobs. Anybody know?

Rears makes lots of equipment mostly for the orchard buissness. The paperwork I have for my rears sprayer says it was made in Eugene Oregon. Their stuff is pretty good and is priced accordingly from what I have seen.

Eric

 

[Bird]

In my part of the country, I'd never seen a flail mower being used until this week. There was a New Holland tractor with a flail mower mowing along the George Bush Turnpike a few days ago. Everything else I've seen was brush hogs being used in this area.

 

[mgrick]

Here's some results from using my Honda 5518 and Honda Brush Hog.Although I just bought a Kioti DK35 and a Woods BB60,I find myself going back to the Honda.It will mow grass and weeds from 8" to 3'+.Also chops up the brush pretty good.I havn't seen the results from a Flail cutter but I have been pleased with the resuts of my brush hog.


Rick

 

[mgrick]

Here's another picture.

 

[s1120]

I have also wounderd this. My dad had one on the back of his old Farmall and it seemed to work real well. I can't remember if he cut a lot of big stuff. Are they any good at the thick, woody stuff?