Flail Mower Flail Mower vs. Bush Hog / Shredder ?

[brin]

I am thinking about buying a used Flail Mower...I have never owned or used one, however I have owned and used and currently use a bush hog.. I need you fellas to tell me if I will gain anything from buying this flail mower.and what to watch out for ...what is the downside of a flail..?

From reading posts here on TBN I have been led to believe a flail mulches small brush and branches better and delivers a nice clean cut..

If any of you have had the experience of both a flail and a bush hog ..please let me know what you would prefer to cut pasture with and small branches and little 1 " saplings.. Thanks.

 

[greg_g]

I have a flail, two rotary cutters, and a finish mower. In the early years, I needed the rotary cutters because my pasture was so rough. After taming it considerably, I bought the finish mower because it did a better job on the brome sage. But now I'm at the point where a flail mower can do the job of both. So one rotary cutter and the finish mower are up for sale.

Based upon my own experiences - and considering your brief description of work - I'd say go for it. But get one set up for coarse cut. The fine cut configurations aren't intended for brush. They're more suited for landscaping and golf courses.

//greg//

 

[brin]

Thanks Greg ...I sure appreciate you sharing your experience...

 

[TDVT]

I've never had a finish mower but have a sickle bar cutter, a bush hog & bought a flail last year. The flail is by far my mower of choice. I would like sell the sickle bar now (except for the bearing I need to replace) & had planned to sell the rotary too, but still have all three at the moment. I am now leaning toward keeping the rotary for rougher stuff when I don't want to beat up the flail. The sickle bar does a nice job but easily clogs, can't handle heavy stuff & needs more maintenance.

Overall, the flail is way ahead (IMO). Wider, no windrows, a more even cut, no flying debris (broke a window last year w/the rotary), offset cut (good for getting under trees & along fences), less extension off the back (better for uneven terrain & overall maneuverability) & probably a few other things I can't think of.. Since it does such a nice job, I feel bad when I hit the odd rock or heavy limb but it hasn't bothered the mower at all. I tend NOT to mow saplings with it so I can't help you there. I HAVE mowed a part of our lawn with it from time to time & it doesn't look too bad.

Not sure about the down sides yet, not enough hours, but I'm really happy with it so far.

 

[IslandTractor]

I have a flail, two rotary cutters, and a finish mower. In the early years, I needed the rotary cutters because my pasture was so rough. After taming it considerably, I bought the finish mower because it did a better job on the brome sage. But now I'm at the point where a flail mower can do the job of both. So one rotary cutter and the finish mower are up for sale.

Based upon my own experiences - and considering your brief description of work - I'd say go for it. But get one set up for coarse cut. The fine cut configurations aren't intended for brush. They're more suited for landscaping and golf courses.

//greg//

I have had exactly the same experience and agree with Greg's conclusion. If I had to start over again I'd just get the "rough cut" flail and forget about the rotary and the finish. If I were only cutting lawn I'd just get a finish mower and if I were doing commercial bush hogging I might consider a heavy duty rotary but for all around use the flail is near perfect.

 

[sandman2234]

For my experience, bush hogs take alot more abuse, and less maintance doing it. I have an older JD 25a flail (6'6"wide) The flail mowers don't like the rough stuff that a bush hog eats regularly, but I do have a 4' hydraulic powered flail that eats anything you put in it's way, including whole trees, including the trunks. If it will reach the top, (25'), Just let it eat it's way to the bottom. However it is equiped with "hammer blades" which aren't designed for grass (in my opinon)
David from jax

 

[KRBrouwer]

I am thinking about buying a used Flail Mower...I have never owned or used one, however I have owned and used and currently use a bush hog.. I need you fellas to tell me if I will gain anything from buying this flail mower.and what to watch out for ...what is the downside of a flail..?

From reading posts here on TBN I have been led to believe a flail mulches small brush and branches better and delivers a nice clean cut..

If any of you have had the experience of both a flail and a bush hog ..please let me know what you would prefer to cut pasture with and small branches and little 1 " saplings.. Thanks.

I too agree with Greg. I had a bush hog and a finish cut mower, and replaced them both last year with a flail mower, and would never go back. It easily does the job of both for me, mowing along the road and my orchard/lawn area.

Ken

 

[mas1237]

I've got a 9' sickle mower, 5' rotary, 6' rotary, 6' finish mower and 6' flail mower. Each one fills specific needs.
a) The sickle mower is used to mow large areas when I'm looking for production. It will definitely eat up the acres, but the grass must be dry. Also it works great to mow the sideslopes around my pond.
b) The rotaries are good for cutting brush and saplings for the trails in the woods.
c) The finish mower (rear discharge) is great for cutting my runway without gouging and leaves a very uniform cut.
d) The flail mower is good for when the grass gets too high and thick for my finish mower. Also I can turn my wife loose with it and she doesn't have to worry about gouging the ground with that big roller on the back.

I could probably get by with just one rotary mower but it is amazing how many more areas I can mow in the woods with the 5' rotary on my Branson vice the 6' rotary on the Mahindra.

 

[brin]

Here is my question...If I buy this 6o inch cut Ford 917 H Flail mower will my NH TC - 29 be powerful enough to pull it and cut 3 ft. tall grass and brush...My bush hog will..I just have no experience with a flail...Anyone with a flail have an opinion ? Thanks

 

[flusher]

I am thinking about buying a used Flail Mower...I have never owned or used one, however I have owned and used and currently use a bush hog.. I need you fellas to tell me if I will gain anything from buying this flail mower.and what to watch out for ...what is the downside of a flail..?

From reading posts here on TBN I have been led to believe a flail mulches small brush and branches better and delivers a nice clean cut..

If any of you have had the experience of both a flail and a bush hog ..please let me know what you would prefer to cut pasture with and small branches and little 1 " saplings.. Thanks.

Flails are used preferentially in my neck of the woods to mow the orchards (olive, prune plums, English walnuts, almond, mandarin orange). They mulch the cuttings and drop them in place instead of flinging them in all directions like brush hog mowers.