Grooming Mower or Rotary Cutter- Can't make up my mind

[audsp98]

I'm going to echo what some have already said and say that a flail mower sounds like what you need. A flail mower with the proper blades (y-blades) will produce a pretty good finish cut and with the hammer-style blades, it can do the job of a rotary cutter with brush clearing.

 

[bkrgi]

Appreciate the replies, everyone.

I had never considered a flail mower mainly due to the maintenace liabilities behind them, but leonz does make a good point in that they'd be able to dispatch a lot of the clipping and debris once cut. The plan with all this tall grass is to get it mowed and then drag the field to disperse some of the junk and help it break down.

As for everything else, I'm fairly certain there are no hidden obstacles hidden below the grass. I've walked the property numerous times trying to get a feel for it. The area is not very rocky, but ant hills and gopher holes could be present. No debris, the previous owners seemed to designate the woods along the edge of the property as their dumping ground....washers, ovens, metal sheathing, you name it.

I think I'm going to go ahead with the finish mower and cut it at 4" this time around. Take it slow and steady around the real high patches. In subsequent mowings as growth begins to start up in spring I'll gradually work it down to a 2-3" cut. If I get out there and it seems to be too much I can always borrow a brush mower from a friend. It would be an inconvenience, but it is an option.

Nothing wrong with using what you have...if everything is dry and dead it all should work just fine with time. Make 2-3 passes..maybe more to get the cut down as low as can be had ...say 2".. more passes will mulch the clippings better. When new growth starts set your cut height (I like 3-4") and keep at it for the season not letting growth get very far ahead of cut height...otherwise a flail would be the better choice.

Using a drag may or likely will just roll up the clippings into bundles making clumps all over the place so I would at this time of yr just focus on more mower passes and proper dispersal from the chute....new fresh growth will poke up through the clippings as long as it is not heavily matted.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Here are a couple videos to watch , might give you some more info.



What's So Great About a Flail Mower? - YouTube

Flail, Finish and Rotary Cutter Comparison - YouTube

 

[CincyFlyer]

I have a rule of thumb with finish mowers: if it's smaller than my thumb[!] I will mow it. I have extra heavy blades on my 46" ancient White riding mower, and a 60" Mahindra (made in USA by some other company) finish mower with the original blades, and either does the trick on stuff that size or smaller.