Flail Mowers

Doc_Bob · May 14, 2006

Flail Mowers

What is a flail mower used for??? What does it do that is special? I have been looking into putting in some prairie and everything I read indicates that a flail mower is the best way to cut prairie. But I have no idea why this is so? Apparently it cuts things into very fine mulch which decomposes very quickly. Am I even close?
Anyone care to enlighten me?
Bob

Doc_Bob · May 14, 2006

Flail Mowers

What is a flail mower used for??? What does it do that is special? I have been looking into putting in some prairie and everything I read indicates that a flail mower is the best way to cut prairie. But I have no idea why this is so? Apparently it cuts things into very fine mulch which decomposes very quickly. Am I even close?
Anyone care to enlighten me?
Bob

Bird · May 14, 2006

Bob, I've never used a flail mower and the only time I've seen them used was guys mowing along major highway rights-of-way. So I can only tell you what I've heard and read. They are also sometimes called "orchard mowers"; supposedly "mulch" the stuff much better, as you said. And the other plus is that they're far less likely to launch a rock or other projectile than a rotary cutter.

Bird · May 14, 2006

Bob, I've never used a flail mower and the only time I've seen them used was guys mowing along major highway rights-of-way. So I can only tell you what I've heard and read. They are also sometimes called "orchard mowers"; supposedly "mulch" the stuff much better, as you said. And the other plus is that they're far less likely to launch a rock or other projectile than a rotary cutter.

Doc_Bob · May 14, 2006

( Bob, I've never used a flail mower and the only time I've seen them used was guys mowing along major highway rights-of-way. So I can only tell you what I've heard and read. They are also sometimes called "orchard mowers"; supposedly "mulch" the stuff much better, as you said. And the other plus is that they're far less likely to launch a rock or other projectile than a rotary cutter. )

Thanks. Every answer leads to another question. So why not use a flail mower instead of a rotary cutter? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Bob

Doc_Bob · May 14, 2006

( Bob, I've never used a flail mower and the only time I've seen them used was guys mowing along major highway rights-of-way. So I can only tell you what I've heard and read. They are also sometimes called "orchard mowers"; supposedly "mulch" the stuff much better, as you said. And the other plus is that they're far less likely to launch a rock or other projectile than a rotary cutter. )

Thanks. Every answer leads to another question. So why not use a flail mower instead of a rotary cutter? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Bob

BillG_in_TX · May 14, 2006

Doc Bob,

Here's a previous discussion on flail vs. ??? that has lots of links to yet more discussions.
Read away!

BillG_in_TX · May 14, 2006

Doc Bob,

Here's a previous discussion on flail vs. ??? that has lots of links to yet more discussions.
Read away!

Doc_Bob · May 14, 2006

( Doc Bob,

Here's a previous discussion on flail vs. ??? that has lots of links to yet more discussions.
Read away! )
Thanks!
Bob

Doc_Bob · May 14, 2006

( Doc Bob,

Here's a previous discussion on flail vs. ??? that has lots of links to yet more discussions.
Read away! )
Thanks!
Bob

gary1611 · May 15, 2006

I have a six foot alamo (mott) Cuts the grass great near golf course quility. Great over rough terrain and works even better in the flat throughs nothing will cut high stuff small trees with ease.
Very expensive mine $3600 new for three point. A real bear at over 1000 pds.

gary1611 · May 15, 2006

I have a six foot alamo (mott) Cuts the grass great near golf course quility. Great over rough terrain and works even better in the flat throughs nothing will cut high stuff small trees with ease.
Very expensive mine $3600 new for three point. A real bear at over 1000 pds.

Doc_Bob · May 15, 2006

( I have a six foot alamo (mott) Cuts the grass great near golf course quility. Great over rough terrain and works even better in the flat throughs nothing will cut high stuff small trees with ease.
Very expensive mine $3600 new for three point. A real bear at over 1000 pds. )

So, I hear that it will make fine mulch out of anything it cuts, this true?
Bob

Doc_Bob · May 15, 2006

( I have a six foot alamo (mott) Cuts the grass great near golf course quility. Great over rough terrain and works even better in the flat throughs nothing will cut high stuff small trees with ease.
Very expensive mine $3600 new for three point. A real bear at over 1000 pds. )

So, I hear that it will make fine mulch out of anything it cuts, this true?
Bob

gary1611 · May 15, 2006

Meant to say throws nothing. Don't thinks it mulch's well dont pay much attention but will next time i cut.

gary1611 · May 15, 2006

Meant to say throws nothing. Don't thinks it mulch's well dont pay much attention but will next time i cut.

moonstruck · May 15, 2006

I have New Holland TC33DA supersteer with a NH flail mower. I have been using for 2 years to mow about 6 acres of pasture.

The advantages are:

1 Not as long as rotary mower so you can get in tighter spaces. Also has a square back so you can back up to a fence, etc for a clean cut.

2 Doesn't throw rocks

3 Never needs sharpening

4 Does a good job of mowing and muching

Disadvantages:

1 Costs more to buy

2 Every couple of years you must replace 125-150 teeth (each with it's own bolt) about a days worth of work.

Overall I am happy with my desicion to buy a flail mower. Commercial highway mowing contractors use them because they hold up well and you can hit just about any kind of rock, etc without doing much damage to your equipment.

John

moonstruck · May 15, 2006

I have New Holland TC33DA supersteer with a NH flail mower. I have been using for 2 years to mow about 6 acres of pasture.

The advantages are:

1 Not as long as rotary mower so you can get in tighter spaces. Also has a square back so you can back up to a fence, etc for a clean cut.

2 Doesn't throw rocks

3 Never needs sharpening

4 Does a good job of mowing and muching

Disadvantages:

1 Costs more to buy

2 Every couple of years you must replace 125-150 teeth (each with it's own bolt) about a days worth of work.

Overall I am happy with my desicion to buy a flail mower. Commercial highway mowing contractors use them because they hold up well and you can hit just about any kind of rock, etc without doing much damage to your equipment.

John

Doc_Bob · May 15, 2006

( I have New Holland TC33DA supersteer with a NH flail mower. I have been using for 2 years to mow about 6 acres of pasture.

The advantages are:

1 Not as long as rotary mower so you can get in tighter spaces. Also has a square back so you can back up to a fence, etc for a clean cut.

2 Doesn't throw rocks

3 Never needs sharpening

4 Does a good job of mowing and muching

Disadvantages:

1 Costs more to buy

2 Every couple of years you must replace 125-150 teeth (each with it's own bolt) about a days worth of work.

Overall I am happy with my desicion to buy a flail mower. Commercial highway mowing contractors use them because they hold up well and you can hit just about any kind of rock, etc without doing much damage to your equipment.

John )

What kind (brand) of flail mower?
Bob

Doc_Bob · May 15, 2006

( I have New Holland TC33DA supersteer with a NH flail mower. I have been using for 2 years to mow about 6 acres of pasture.

The advantages are:

1 Not as long as rotary mower so you can get in tighter spaces. Also has a square back so you can back up to a fence, etc for a clean cut.

2 Doesn't throw rocks

3 Never needs sharpening

4 Does a good job of mowing and muching

Disadvantages:

1 Costs more to buy

2 Every couple of years you must replace 125-150 teeth (each with it's own bolt) about a days worth of work.

Overall I am happy with my desicion to buy a flail mower. Commercial highway mowing contractors use them because they hold up well and you can hit just about any kind of rock, etc without doing much damage to your equipment.

John )

What kind (brand) of flail mower?
Bob