Flail vs. Bush Hog..?

[smstonypoint]

I had been using LV400 for years and it just seemed hit or miss on some things.

I will try to find some of that Crossroad and give it a shot as it is sure cheaper than Crossbow. I am guessing it is also safe for grass? We also use another brush killer that kills EVERYTHING. It is not a glycosphate base I don't think. If it works out, I will tell Vincent and we can all save some money.

I think the active ingredient in LV400 is 2,4-D, while Crossbow and Crossroad have triclopyr and 2,4-D. In my experience, the triclopyr is needed for brush, brambles, etc. There must be something about triclopyr, it's in Garlon too, and Garlon is pricey.

Steve

 

[TripleR]

I think the active ingredient in LV400 is 2,4-D, while Crossbow and Crossroad have triclopyr and 2,4-D. In my experience, the triclopyr is needed for brush, brambles, etc. There must be something about triclopyr, it's in Garlon too, and Garlon is pricey.

Steve

Thanks, I did a little checking and this has received some good reviews. I also noticed the use of triclopyr in another product too.

 

[Ford tractor]

Both flail and rough cut ("bush hog") cutters can cut the same stuff, but flails will usually be more expensive to buy and maintain as they have many more moving parts.

Why use a flail? Counties use them because they don't throw trash as far or as fast as a bush hog and when you are mowing by a freeway or park or school, you want to limit exposure to flying metal! Additionally, when a rough cut blade breaks you have a 5-15 pound hunk of steel traveling really fast. That's real dangerous.

 

[TripleR]

Both flail and rough cut ("bush hog") cutters can cut the same stuff, but flails will usually be more expensive to buy and maintain as they have many more moving parts.

Why use a flail? Counties use them because they don't throw trash as far or as fast as a bush hog and when you are mowing by a freeway or park or school, you want to limit exposure to flying metal! Additionally, when a rough cut blade breaks you have a 5-15 pound hunk of steel traveling really fast. That's real dangerous.

I think this must be a regional thing as no one uses a flail in my area; county and state uses rotary cutters. The state uses Schulte and I think the county uses a Woods.

 

[flusher]

I understand horizontal vs. vertical .. bigazz blades vs. tiny blades, etc. I simply do no know when you would pick one over another.. I'm sure many of you know and can enlighten. (I have both, 72" BH and Finish mowers)
Thanks.

Jim

I have both--a 6-ft Hawkline brush hog and a 5.5-ft Value Leader flail. The hog cost a little less ($1150 vs $1350 for the flail) and is handy for mowing brush and small saplings. I used the hog to clear the weeds and brush from my 10-acre place when I bought the land about 5 years ago. For the past several years 6 of the 10 acres have been converted to a hayfield. I use the flail set to cut 1-2 inches high to clear the stubble and residual hay off the field.

 

[wetstuff]

Flusher: I might think the Flail could follow contour better. I do not have much -contour- but when pulling the bush hog behind my Furgeson F-40 these last years - I would get a lot of scalping if I attempted that 1-2" you mentioned. I will probably sell my 60" finishing mower. It's side discharge and I am not really cutting pretty 'grass'.

We have a local farm service company that would come out with a truck and do the kill. I could hire a drill to re-seed, but unless I could somehow make money off it - I would not do it. I would need a reason to make the ground productive to spend the money.

Thanks all for the input.

Jim

 

[flusher]

Flusher: I might think the Flail could follow contour better. I do not have much -contour- but when pulling the bush hog behind my Furgeson F-40 these last years - I would get a lot of scalping if I attempted that 1-2" you mentioned. I will probably sell my 60" finishing mower. It's side discharge and I am not really cutting pretty 'grass'.

We have a local farm service company that would come out with a truck and do the kill. I could hire a drill to re-seed, but unless I could somehow make money off it - I would not do it. I would need a reason to make the ground productive to spend the money.

Thanks all for the input.

Jim

Correctomundo. Hogs are not the implement of choice for precision mowing. Flails are a lot better at cutting short.

 

[Haoleguy]

As mentioned earlier the rotary disc can throw cut material, or small objects, out on a radius. Most vineyard and orchard owners go the flail route to avoid trunk injury on their valuable vines and trees.

 

[nckennedy]

HI Guys,
I am looking at a Bush Hog Flail mower model FH-188. But I am not certain if I am buying a finish cut or a rough cut flail mower. It has the "y" style cutters on it. Does the "Y" mean rough cut? Or dosn't it have anything to do with it? I am really looking for a "rough cut" that will handle some pasture grass, along hedge rows, fence lines, between trees, etc
Any help with this would be greatly apprecated. Its 8' wide and asking $1,900.
Thanks,
nck

 

[beppington]

I believe the Y blades are finish blades, & the scoops or "hammers" are for rough stuff.