Something that needs to be explained , when the manufacturers say a flail can handle 3" material , they don't mean standing . Flails are used in Europe to chop up prunings in Orchards and Vineyards . The prunings are thrown into the rows and then mulched , the mulcher can handle 3" material in this fashion . If you are cutting saplings , they should be pushed over with the blade first . Pushed flat , not just bowed over as the tractor passes over them . The leading edge on a flail is not designed to push over a 3" tree at the base . This will bend the edge and put great strain on the linkage mounts .