Flail Mower Flail mower vs. rotary? (pros & cons)

[TerryJ]

I have never owned or operated a flail mower before. So, how do they compare to a rotary cutter of the same width? I need pros and cons of the flail type and how big/thick of stuff it could handle. I own a Kioti DK45S 45hp with 38hp at pto if this helps. I run a 7' Howse rotary cutter on it now. Thanks.

 

[Cyberroc]

Never a better flail post be known Lets talk Flail Mowers

I am thinking of the same thing, and will more likely go with a Flail over a rotery...

My Reasons:

The flail cuts pretty close to the finish mower in quality but is more like the bush hog in its ability to cut thicker stuff.

Some models offer different blades so you can do more with it.

It's closer to the tractor, so the idea of being able to take it into more places and not having to worry as much about turns is a good thing.

They don't kick up stuff or though sticks or rocks, huge bonus here.

The only real downside that I was able to find is price, as they tend to be just a little more than a rotary...

Best Of Luck!!!

 

[IslandTractor]

There has recently been a very long and detailed thread on flail mowers that should answer many if not all your questions. I think it is called something like "let's talk about flail mowers". You should be able to search for it easily as it's been active within the past month.

In a nutshell, from my experience with all three types (flail, bush hog, finish rotary) and based on my reading of the various opinions posted on TBN I'd say the pros and cons are as follows:

Flail pro: finer cut, quieter, less bulky for storage or manuvering. Still able to cut brush and depending on how heavy duty the flail is, flails can cut anything a bush hog rotary mower can. Safer mower than rotary cutters when near vehicles or pedestrians as they don't eject debris sideways and the rear roller protects the rear. Flails can overlap functions of both finish and rough (bush hog) rotary cutters thus saving you the cost of one implement. Light/Medium duty flails cost less than good finish mowers and more than good light/medium duty bush hogs of same cut width. Rides on rear roller so less likely to scalp than bush hog.

Flail con: more complex (what isn't more complex than a bush hog?), knives need maintenance more often than rough rotary cutter blades. Need to deal with belts and gearbox vs gearbox only on bush hog. More vulnerable than bush hog in some ways (eg rear roller hitting rock at speed). Parts are less generic than with a bush hog so parts supply is a potential issue. Needs greasing more than bush hog.

Bush Hog pro: tough as nails, simple to maintain, not much to go wrong you cannot fix with a hammer, torch or welder.

Bush Hog con: very rough cut compared to flail. More dangerous due to projectiles to side and back (270 degree vulnerability). Heavier, longer than flail. More prone to having an edge dig in on turns when cutting low and plowing turf or scalping (maybe less with two tail wheels but those are not common).

Rotary finish cutters pro; quality of cut (though flails can be set up to duplicate that quality with more knives, then the flail is a bit less of a bush hog). Rides on 4 wheels so less likely to scalp than bush hog. Can bag clippings if you like.

rotary finish mower con: blades need sharpening more than flail or hog. Blades much more delicate and susceptible to damage in rough terrain. Belts a service item (no worse than flail). A good rotary finish mower is more expensive than equivalent quality bush hog or flail in same size (not counting heavy duty flails which are very pricey).

I'm sure if you read through the other thread you'll find other issues to consider as well.

 

[mas1237]

Island Tractor, you have covered the pros and cons quite well. Last summer when I was looking to purchase a flail mower, I thought I wanted a Caroni TM series (3-belts) with 5-ft cut to attach to my 35 HP tractor. I wanted a mower that wasn't any wider than my tractor so I could mow between trees that I couldn't with my 6-ft Rhino TW rotary mower and 50 HP tractor. AgriSupply only stocks the TM series in the 6-ft cut. AgriSupply was willing to order a 5-ft cut TM series but I might have to wait up to 6 months for the slow boat to bring it over from Italy. The cost ~$1800.

I priced a Howse 5-ft 500C medium duty rotary mower w/ slip clutch from my local dealer and a 6-ft King Kutter rear discharge finish mower from local TSC store. With a special promotion at the dealer and 10% off coupon @ TSC I was able to buy both for less than the cost of the flail mower. I also supported two of my local establishments with my business.

I use the finish mower for cutting my runway and around my farmstead and the rotary mower for the brush along fence rows, woods and both work great since I only use each for their intended use. I don't use the finish mower in the rough stuff and I don't use the rotary mower where it could gouge and leave a scar.

 

[IslandTractor]

I guess I should have made the point that one could certainly find a bargain or discount or just a low cost value brand and manage to get both bush hog and finish mower for the price of a flail.

You are correct on the pricing of the Caroni but in fairness I'd compare the Caroni quality and company reputation to a Woods, Landpride or Rhino and I don't think you'd find two mowers from those companies for the price of one. Several people have recently bought (and liked though without a lot of hours yet) a ?Best (?sp) brand Chinese made flail that costs about half of what the Caroni does. The Howse and King Kutters have excellent reputations but are generally considered value rather than premium implements. Other than the ?Best I don't know of a value priced flail. There are very clearly many heavy duty flails priced well above (2x-3x) what the Caroni flails cost so I think the Caroni's imported by AgriSupply are the equivalent (roughly) of the entry level lines put out by Bush Hog, Woods, Landpride etc.

 

[Cyberroc]

I would fully agree with both from what I have seen and heard. I will add that I am still in the research phase, however if I was able to pull the trigger today, I would be handing my $$ over for the flail, even while the brand I will choose is still being researched.

Another important item to note is that while I still do not doubt that deals can be had on both sides; to me, even if I could get the same quality rotary and finish mower for the price of the flail, that still makes my case for getting a flail...

Let me explain. On my new property I would have the need for both, brush(bush)'ing about and mowing many acres of each. With the flail, I don't have to change impliments going between the two. So if I need to do some lawn and brush on the same day, I would just plan to keep the flail on. If I had both bush and finish mowers, I not only have to change them to get the same result, I also have to store 2 impliments of a much larger size.

You case may vary, and what you choose to do should relate only to what you need and how they will be used. They both can get the job done, IT has show very good pro vs con, and the good news is either choice gets you more seat time.

The final 'nail' in the case for me what the new property that I am moving to has a very large area of the home facing into the back yard; with both floors having full glass exposure from the floor to the top of the second story celing.

Yeah, replacing even 1 window would be much of the cost of a very nice flail.

Good Luck.

 

[TONY COVERT]

I have a Ford flail and a bush hog. The flail is slower to cut with than the flail. It does make a better looking job. As for cutting brush, it does not want to be much over 1/2" size. My flail is over 30 years old and so far it has only had a new belt put on it. I do need to put a seal in the gear box. The flail is great and the roller does smooth out the rough spots. Just saying you need to go slower than you would with the bush hog.

 

[IslandTractor]

My flail is over 30 years old and so far it has only had a new belt put on it.

Maybe it would cut faster with a new set of knives every 15 years or so.

 

[have_blue]

I've used both a 6' brush hog and 6' finish mower on my fields, which are 90% grass and 10% light weeds. I actually prefer the brush hog. It cuts nearly as smoothly as the finish mower, and you don't worry about running into a tree and knocking a wheel off. The brush hog is quieter. I can run it well below 540rpm and get a very smooth, quiet cut. The finish mower must be run very close to 540rpm, where it and the tractor both make a lot more noise. I mow about 7a, and can cut the entire patch on 1 blade sharpening. On the finish mower, I sometimes need to stop and touch up the blades real quick if I have fine seed heads. The finish mower is stubby and compact, very easy to set up, and easy to sharpen the 3 blades on the machine. The brush hog is heavy, harder to set up, and a little harder to sharpen the single big blade. If your field has a few muddy spots, the brush hog is fine. The finish mower wheels can quickly get balled up with mud and grass clippings. No problems yet with belts on my finish mower, but constant checking and worrying.

I can imagine the flail mower having most of the same problems mentioned above as the finish mower.

 

[ricksalisbury01]

Well I tried a flail for the first time and would never look back again.... I put an 8 foot IH (25-50hp and 800lbs)Flail on the back of a Kioti CK35 gear. I stayed somewhat slow as this was the first cut of the year for the back-field. WOW, what a great job it did. Not only was it quite, but the govenor never even had to throttle up. I ran it around 2200 RPM (Tractor not the flail) and had a cut that was comparable to the riding mower without "wind-rows." It ws a pure joy, and the off-set let me get the stuff under the trees and along the fence. I even knocked down a few trees and bushes (nothing larger than 1 inch).
Hope that helps

 

[IslandTractor]

I can imagine the flail mower having most of the same problems mentioned above as the finish mower.

Not really. It is more tolerant of rocks, brush etc. It never bogs down because it has one large roller not wheels. And flails are WAY quieter than either a bush hog or a finish mower.

 

[johnstractorworks]

Thanks for the great info. I've been on the fence about adding a flail to my inventory and now I guess i'll start looking for one. I have a 40hp Mahindra and was thinking of a 7 foot HD flail. What do you think?

 

[Piston]

I've often thought about a flail as well. I'd like to give one a shot but I buy most of my implements used, and they are fewer and further between than a rotary mower in the used market. One of these days I might just break down and buy a new one.

You can't beat the simplicity of a brush mower, however, if we all used that logic, then we'd all be driving around in the most basic, simple tractors anyways (and that certainly isn't true of most of us) :thumbsup:

 

[leonz]

Thanks for the great info. I've been on the fence about adding a flail to my inventory and now I guess i'll start looking for one. I have a 40hp Mahindra and was thinking of a 7 foot HD flail. What do you think?

About your mowing,

You should have plenty power with your tractor, the issue is your mowing conditions and the need to dlow down a bit to adjust for the mowing conditions. As I have stated previously my dad used a Ford Jubilee with a John Deere 7 foot 25A finish flail mower to reclaim and manage overgrown pasture that had 10 -12 foot golden rod and other weeds.


There are many good used and new flail mowers for sale on tractor house and other internet sites.


_________________________________________________________________
Once you go flail you never go back:thumbsup::licking::drool:
Pronovost or not at all!!!:thumbsup::licking::drool:

 

[IslandTractor]

You can't beat the simplicity of a brush mower, however, if we all used that logic, then we'd all be driving around in the most basic, simple tractors anyways (and that certainly isn't true of most of us) :thumbsup:

I agree that a rotary "bush hog" is a simpler and easier, cheaper to maintain mowing device. If you are only mowing rough fields and are nowhere near roads, houses or playing kids they certainly make a lot of sense. Flails are a bit higher maintenance but give better cuts and have a significant safety advantage as well as better maneuverability and smaller overall footprint for equal cutting swath. As a flail can give close to a finish mower cut it also potentially saves the cost of an added mower for some people with yards and fields to mow.

 

[Green Acres Homestead]

Is a flail mower fairly resistant to damage if they hit a rock. Our property has a fair share of rocks but I would like a flail because I could do other peoples lawn. I have a l4740 and would like an offset for mowing atv trails, road side stuff.

 

[IslandTractor]

Is a flail mower fairly resistant to damage if they hit a rock. Our property has a fair share of rocks but I would like a flail because I could do other peoples lawn. I have a l4740 and would like an offset for mowing atv trails, road side stuff.

The mower will be fine. You might lose a knife or two. The mower will vibrate differently if you lose a set of knives. Still possible to keep mowing but replace the lost blades as soon as convenient.

I live in New England and we grow rocks as a winter crop here. I lose several sets of knives every spring. PITA but doesn't hurt the mower.

 

[Green Acres Homestead]

Thanks for the info island tractor. We have a nice crop of rocks here in Cape Breton as well. lol.. So if I buy a good brand and use it about 100 hours a year, should I assume I should not have to many problems(other than replacing knives) for 5 years or so?

 

[Green Acres Homestead]

How high can you set most of the flail mowers. Can you get is up 6 inches or so? I assume you can run it up of the ground using the 3 point hitch?

 

[IslandTractor]

Thanks for the info island tractor. We have a nice crop of rocks here in Cape Breton as well. lol.. So if I buy a good brand and use it about 100 hours a year, should I assume I should not have to many problems(other than replacing knives) for 5 years or so?

Mine is 8 years old. I mow about 30hrs/yr. Half meadow and half BushHog type brush mowing. Replaced a bunch of knives and am on my third set of belts. Grease before every mowing session. Mine has dents from rocks but otherwise is near perfect. Still works exactly as it did when new.