Flail Mower Advice on Flail mowers

[HalseyGreen]

I'm looking at getting a mower for my JD 790. I have about 2.5 acres to mow, and the Craftsman is starting to fall apart after 7 years of duty. The area to be mowed can be described a rough lawn, so its either a finish mower or a flail mower. I like the idea of the flail, not throwing stuff like the finish mower and the ability to deal with sticks and small stones that have been working there way up to the top. I can not find anyone to give me the faults of the flail mower and all the web sites only mention the benefits. I now ask TBN for their collective advice and experience. Thanks in advance.

 

[Gatorboy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( to give me the faults of the flail mower )</font>
Price.

You've been using a Rotary cutter for 7 years, why wouldn't you consider a rotary mower to pull behind your tractor?

 

[Yankee]

"I can not find anyone to give me the faults of the flail mower"

I went down the investigating path on this and found the following:

1) They're expensive - very
2) You don't get as much mowing width out of a flail as you would a comparably-sized RFM
3) They're heavy
4) They tend to scalp at the ends on turns
5) They're billed as changable to different types of blades, and they are, but consider the effort and time to change all those blades ...
6) On the blade count again, consider sharpening time and effort
7) They don't cut well in situations when you need a heavy cut, i.e., they're better at regular trimming

On the positive side, you get a superb cut if you mow regularly and consistently, handle small brush and twigs, as you said, get less swing-out (vs. a RFM) on turns, and a shorter, more compact set-up overall.

Bill

 

[JFarms]

Halsey, here's my opinion from using a small flail shredder/mower about five years. They're expensive, but less than buying both a rotary and finish mower. Time is also expensive and mine saves time. Mine uses hammer knives, are they're expensive too. It takes time to change or sharpen them, but I don't need to do it often. The mower is heavy, but my 4100 handles it easily. It's too heavy to make sharp turns while mowing, but lifting it slightly solves it for me. So far this also describes my tractor ... expensive, heavy, makes work go quickly, and requires maintenance. And so far I still love my tractor and my flail. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I wanted a nicer cut on my field than a rotary would give, and the flail cuts super low when I lower it. I mow a field and orchard, it mows & mulches just about anything in its path, include tree prunings and, a month ago, an old plastic tray hidden in the weeds. They can throw rocks ... forward, and right on the ground. Each hammer knife weighs about 2 lbs and when they hit a rock, the rocks break and/or fly. They can't fly up and hit me, and I don't mow with people in front, so it's pretty safe.

Mine is stored on a rolling platform, so it's easy to attach even though it weighs plenty. I don't disagree with anything others have said, but for me I'm happy with it. Best of luck.