Brush hog vs. Rear Finish Mower vs. flail mower

[A J C]

Hey All. I have seen threads that touch on this but I知 looking for advice and guidance on what would work best for my application. I知 on 5 acres with grass, hay and weeds in eastern Colorado so moisture is low and growth is slow. I have some landscaping to mow around with very few trees. I was originally looking at brush hogs because that痴 the only thing I knew but then finish mowers caught my attention. My land does have some holes, high low spots and I知 sure sporadic rocks and debris. Yesterday I was reading another thread on here and learned about flail mowers so I知 digging into the pros and cons of them. From what I gather, maintenance and cost may be higher but it is safer, leaves a cleaner cut and it better in tight areas than a brush hog? It is better for tougher land and debris than a finish mower but won稚 leave as clean of a cut. I could care less if my grass looks cut or chopped but I will need to knock this stuff down so if I can make the best of what I have I知 all game for that. I知 a tractor and attachment noob so any advice would be appreciated.

I知 running a Ford NAA

 

[cglaser104]

Those pictures look like either rotary cutter or flail mower work to me. A finish mower isn't designed to mow that type of stuff. Moreover, they bend and break much easier than the other 2 when you find a rock.

Rear finish mowers are meant to give the manicured lawn look. Think mid mount on a rider type finish.

Rotary cutters/brush hogs/bush hogs are meant for rough conditions and trees up to 2-3" in diameter and chop it up into a course finish.

Flail mowers are meant for mowing fields and thick tall grass but not as much as a brush hog with the small trees. They mince things up well enough to be nicer than a brush hog but definitely not a finish mower.

If you want cost effective, get a brush hog...if you want a nice job and don't mind the extra maintenance get a flail mower.

I wouldn't mess with a finish mower for that unless you plan to manicure it like a lawn.

 

[4570Man]

If you plan on mowing it pretty often a finish mower is the best tool. If you plan on mowing or looking like that routinely you need a bushhog or flail.

 

[Lnk]

If you get a flail, do yourself a favor and make sure there is no old wire laying around in the field. Check the edges especially, because a flail WILL find it and roll it up. Ask anyone that has done it, how much fun they had.

 

[3Ts]

^+1 Bush Hog or flail. They both can handle rough terrain. I'd be sure to get a stump jumper on the bush hog, even though there are no stumps, it'll get you over rocks.

 

[A J C]

I have lived here since October and have seen no growth so far. I am thinking 2 mows a year and maybe 4 or 5 for years with more snow/rainfall. Finish mower is now out and flail is more likely. I understand that it has the blades, belt and gearbox but a rotary cutter has blades (granted, far less than a flail) and a great box as well so where does the additional maintenance come?

 

[Lnk]

I have lived here since October and have seen no growth so far. I am thinking 2 mows a year and maybe 4 or 5 for years with more snow/rainfall. Finish mower is now out and flail is more likely. I understand that it has the blades, belt and gearbox but a rotary cutter has blades (granted, far less than a flail) and a great box as well so where does the additional maintenance come?

Based on what you posted of growth, a flail will handle that easily, and much safer. Remember a rotary brush cutter can send objects flying where a flail doesn't. My rotary threw a rock about 5" roughly 100'. Had anyone been in the path, really bad injuries or worse. I have lost some blades on my flail hitting hidden rocks. But has been pretty maintenance free, other than grease and checking belts. I have wound up wire a couple of times that I didn't see when I was clearing near a fence line. Twice! Now I won't mow a new area without walking it really well first.

Good luck on what you decide.

 

[cglaser104]

Flail mowers have many blades while a rotary cutter has 2. Flail mowers have a gearbox into a chain or gear drive system with shafts that need greased. Brush hogs have a gearbox that direction powers the cutters. Both are great options. Personally I'd get a flail regardless of the extra moving parts because I like the finish better. Either way, you can't go wrong.

 

[3Ts]

Whatever route you go be sure to read reviews on the mower. I don't know what size you're looking at but if you go with a used unit, it's especially important. For example, the John Deere MX6 early units had a problem with their gear box and breaking the shaft.