Flail Mower Flail mower for lawn

[harbin]

I’ve read through a good number of flail mower threads and love the idea of not launching rocks (namely after last weekend but thats a story for another time). What id like to know is if the larger used flails I find for sale can be used for lawns with good results if the cutters are switched out? We have a large lawn, my 7’ finish mower needs to go, and after borrowing a zero turn I’ve learned it’s too rough to go very quick.

Specifically, I’m looking in the 8’-10’ width size range. Tractor upgrade is in progress, depending on what works out I’ll have around 50-60 pto hp.

 

[leonz]

Hello Harbin,

If your willing to look for a used JD290(7 foot cut) or JD390(8 foot cut) they are both a good choice as they are finish flail mowers that can also be equipped with the scoop knives but you want a flail mower with the side slicer knife to obtain a finish cut that will make a rotary mower drool with envy.

One of the "Flail Mower Nations" members that is on the forum here has 2 JD390 flail mowers, He might be willing to part with the second one.

Getting into a 10 foot finish flail mower will be a problem as they are still very new and are not for sale as they are being used.

It may also be worth your while to chat with the Vrisimo folks in California to see if they have a used 10 footer that they have rebuilt and upgraded to new condition.

It will not hurt to keep looking for farm equipment dispersal and retirement sales too as the 25A(7 finish foot cut) which my father had come up quite often.

Many farm equipment dealers also advertise their used flail mowers and excess inventory of flail mower for sale on Tractor House.

 

[Fallon]

I have a 40hp tractor & 7' heavy flail. I ran an old 7' lighter duty flail behind my former 32hp machine & current machine. They both struggle in high or thick grass & I have to roll slow. I wish I had 50-60hp, but couldn't swing the price of a L6060 over my L4060. The L3200 ran about an acre an hour, the new L4060 an acre to acre & a half an hour. I tend towards brush & rougher terrain. The heavy grass can usually be more HP & time intensive though.

Any wider of a mower is going to need a noticeably bigger tractor and/or something towed rather than 3pt. As it is my 5,000lbs of L4060 with R4s is not a lawn mower. It's just to heavy for anything you'd call a lawn. It does pastures & fields great, but does scuff turf a bit on turns or leave ruts if its moderately damp. You could probably mow lawns with turf tires, but personally I need the durability & traction of R4s.

Most of the wider 10'+ flails I've seen are crop choppers. They are designed for flatter ground & not necessarily designed for good finish quality.

 

[harbin]

Thanks a lot for all the feedback, the stalk choppers I’ve looked at seem just made for rougher work. I’ll keep looking at the wider stuff, but an 8’ flail like the used JD390 will definitely be on the radar.

I’m waiting for my local dealer to get one of the new Yanmar YT359 units to check out, 52 pto hp has some nice appeal!