flail vs finish mower

[IslandTractor]

So what you are saying is it's ok to use the flail mower a foot or two off the ground?
The reason I ask is that I'm not done clearing the stumps, roots and limbs yet and the grass is already starting to grow and the ground is nowhere near level to cut with a mower.......

I suppose you could raise it but flails are really designed to be on their rear roller. If the grass is very high, I just slow down.

 

[Sub-Cadet68]

I've been looking at the Value Leader flails.... YES they're made in China... but the company has been in business since 95 (I believe) and the implements come with a two year warranty... 4 years for an extra 100 bucks.

60" Flail Mower EF155 - Value Leader Implements

 

[IslandTractor]

I've been looking at the Value Leader flails.... YES they're made in China... but the company has been in business since 95 (I believe) and the implements come with a two year warranty... 4 years for an extra 100 bucks.

60" Flail Mower EF155 - Value Leader Implements

The Caroni flail is wider (75" vs 60") and costs only five hundred more. That plus it is made in Italy by one of the largest implement manufacturing companies in Europe and has had a very stable distributor here in the USA for many years (AgriSupply). Honestly I have nothing against trying Chinese made products but there has to be a really good financial reason to take the risk when compared to something like a Caroni flail. Flail Mower, Caroni, Rear Flail Mower | Agri Supply, 30837, TM1900 The somewhat lower cost for a smaller mower just doesn't do it for me. I'd buy another Caroni tomorrow if a sinkhole ate mine tonight.

 

[Sub-Cadet68]

My little Cub Cadet 5264D probably won't handle much more than the 60".

I looked at the Coroni for a while.

I think that the 4 year coverage I can get for an extra hundred bucks is what's swaying me towards the Value Leader flail.

Looking at the Coronis' again now. Haha

 

[IslandTractor]

My little Cub Cadet 5264D probably won't handle much more than the 60".

I looked at the Coroni for a while.

I think that the 4 year coverage I can get for an extra hundred bucks is what's swaying me towards the Value Leader flail.

Looking at the Coronis' again now. Haha

I believe I recall that someone went through AgriSupply to order the 60 (59" actually) version of the rough cut flail (B type rotor) a couple of years ago. You might search TBN to see if you can find out more. If my memory serves, it took a few months but he did get one.

Not sure how much horsepower you have or the type of cutting you need to do. I would hesitate to do serious bush hogging with with the Caroni TM1900 on less than a 40hp tractor but cutting fields would be fine for a 30hp tractor so long as you cut regularly or are willing to slow down. I have a 40hp and for routine cutting run about 1800-2000rpm when full PTO power is 2500. No problem except when the grass is wet or very lush or very high and then I either slow down or up the RPM to full PTO.

 

[Sub-Cadet68]

My CC has a 23 hp diesel.
I use a Sitrex finishing mower for my entire property... But some sections are just too rough. I've plugged it & burnt through 2 belts this season alone. Going slow. Haha.
I want to be able to cut all the property with one implement.
****, if you know anyone looking for a nice 48" deck... I'm looking for $750.00... haha.

 

[greg_g]

So what you are saying is it's ok to use the flail mower a foot or two off the ground?

Sure. The rear roller does in fact ensure a more even cut, but the main purpose is to take the weight of the mower off the hitch. There's nothing wrong with occasionally cutting in the raised position, but I wouldn't do it on a regular basis. Too hard on the tractor.

//greg//

 

[IslandTractor]

My CC has a 23 hp diesel.
I use a Sitrex finishing mower for my entire property... But some sections are just too rough. I've plugged it & burnt through 2 belts this season alone. Going slow. Haha.
I want to be able to cut all the property with one implement.
****, if you know anyone looking for a nice 48" deck... I'm looking for $750.00... haha.

23hp would be a bit shy. I ran a 48" bush hog and 60" finish mower with my CK20. Seemed about right. 48-60" flail does seem more appropriate.

 

[Jack Yuan]

Hi, I have been reading up on past threads about flail mowers, some very good info, but I am getting a bit conflicting info. Some say that the flail is "almost" as good as a finish mower, and some say "as good, or better" I have several acres to mow which is mostly pretty level. Most is lawn, but I have some more rougher areas.

I just want to do all my research and get what's best now, before I buy and wish I did something else.
If the flail mower does do as good a job as a finish mower, than I think I should get that, although I tried looking at some videos, and all I see are flail mowers going very slow, do you need to go that slow?

according to my sale record, flail mower is the trend, flail mower is better than finishing mower.

 

[IslandTractor]

according to my sale record, flail mower is the trend, flail mower is better than finishing mower.

I think it varies by country. Europe has relatively few rotary style brush mowers but flails are common. Rotary mowers are more common than flails in the US however. It may well be related to population density in areas where the mowers are used. Flails are safer and are often used in the US for applications near people (athletic fields) or automobiles (roads) as there is significantly less danger of ejecting high speed projectiles while mowing.