Here we go again... Flail Mower vs. Rotary cutter question... New England / upstate N

[ovrszd]

Most anyone makes a better rotary cutter than John Deere.

Whoa there Rick, I have an older M1008 JD cutter that has served me very well.

 

[ovrszd]

I've owned brush cutters for decades. Several brands.

A friend gave me a Flail this Summer. It's a Ford 917 6ft'r. I've used it several times cutting road banks and open grassy areas.

I'm still on the fence. It does a much cleaner job of cutting. But there is a LOT more going on with a flail, than a brush cutter. I think long term maintenance will be much higher. I wouldn't even consider cutting "brush" with the flail. But then, I have 2 brush cutters to use for that purpose.

Bottom line, I think a Flail is best suited to cut relatively smooth, grassy areas, that you want to keep clipped short. I think a Brush Cutter is best suited to cut rough terrain areas with a wide variety of plant life.

 

[BoylermanCT]

Quality of Deere implements is not what it used to be. My local Deere dealer does not carry Deere implements. They sell mostly Landpride.

I have a Bush Hog SQ600 mower, and it is great for mowing unkept fields or mowing unknown territory. But I am looking for a nicer cut than the Bush Hog can give, and have my eye on a Caroni TM1900 flail mower. I'll keep my Bush Hog as I think it can take more abuse but will use the flail a lot more.

 

[couchsachraga]

Thank you all for your replies - and yes, the glaciated terrain of New England is indeed fairly similar. We just have much older rock

Unfortunately it hasn't helped me come to a conclusion yet. I'll have to start looking at prices (I"m assuming a good flail will be more $ than a good rotary cutter) and see how scared I get! It's too bad my old Woods dealer was out of business (Rodicks in Schroon Lake) due to retirement. Great service, fair prices.

If anyone happens across this thread that has used both and has a strong opinion either way please post! Ovrszd post was very helpful, though I'll be curious to see if the Flail grows on you over time as it appears to have with some folks.

 

[ovrszd]

If anyone happens across this thread that has used both and has a strong opinion either way please post! Ovrszd post was very helpful, though I'll be curious to see if the Flail grows on you over time as it appears to have with some folks.

Me too.

 

[jimmysisson]

I have both. My flail (Mott SHD88 has 108 knife stations, each with two fine cut y knives. Knives cost a few bucks and take 5-10 min per pair to change out. They cut ok when dull but better when new or sharp. I mow slower with the flail, but It's wider than my 5' rotary so prob covers similar acres per hour. Flail gives a much better cut, similar to a garden tractor.

The rotary I use on fire trails, jagging into the edges to keep a field full size, and on unknown ground. I hate to hear the flail knives bouncing off rocks - sounds like a (expensive) waterfall. Rather hear the crash of the hog knives. The rotary is much lower maintenance for me. I can sharpen both rotary knives in the same time as replacing or sharpening 1/108th of the flail. And it cuts saplings better.
Jim

 

[ovrszd]

I have both. My flail (Mott SHD88 has 108 knife stations, each with two fine cut y knives. Knives cost a few bucks and take 5-10 min per pair to change out. They cut ok when dull but better when new or sharp. I mow slower with the flail, but It's wider than my 5' rotary so prob covers similar acres per hour. Flail gives a much better cut, similar to a garden tractor.

The rotary I use on fire trails, jagging into the edges to keep a field full size, and on unknown ground. I hate to hear the flail knives bouncing off rocks - sounds like a (expensive) waterfall. Rather hear the crash of the hog knives. The rotary is much lower maintenance for me. I can sharpen both rotary knives in the same time as replacing or sharpening 1/108th of the flail. And it cuts saplings better.
Jim

Very well stated. I totally agree. I'll keep the flail around for a couple years to fully appreciate it's talents. But I ain't selling my rotary's.

 

[mjstef]

Go with a woods. A lot better than John Deere.

Vermont

Woods IS NOT what it used to be. Here are some photos. 1 is a 10 year old Land Pride RCR60 with well over 500 acres through it, The other is a 2 month old Woods BBX72 with less than 40 acres through it. I am finishing the season and buying another landpride and my Wife home town is home of woods!!!!

 

[RickB]

Woods IS NOT what it used to be. Here are some photos. 1 is a 10 year old Land Pride RCR60 with well over 500 acres through it, The other is a 2 month old Woods BBX72 with less than 40 acres through it. I am finishing the season and buying another landpride and my Wife home town is home of woods!!!!

Well you bought the lightest duty Woods cutter of the three offered and proceeded to use it as a rock breaker. The results could have been predicted. When you respond, post the complete Landpride model # (like RCR_560). I'll bet it is at least the medium duty machine, if not the heavy duty.

 

[ovrszd]

Gonna have to go with Rick on this one.

Wow,,,, less than 40 acres with that much destruction?? I've got a Rhino SE6 that I bought used. I've cut hundreds of acres of timber clearings with it and not hit that many destructive obstacles.

I'm not sure what model cutter you should buy. If the LandPride cutter pictured has cut thru the same obstacles it either is set to cut higher or simply can't lift the obstacles,,,,, or it's one tough cutter!!!!