Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[GinNB]

Doesn't anyone on here like the Alamo flails? They're expensive, but you can mow practically anything with them. I've found that my 88" Alamo does equally well mowing pasture, trees under 1.5" diameter, and finish mowing. Neither the shaft clutch nor belts have ever slipped, either With heavier patches on the lawn, the 57hp tractor runs right through it all without the RPMs dropping perceptibly.

I've got two Mott Super 88s, which are the super heavy duty model Alamo. Fantastic mower for grass and light brush. Oh yes, and blueberries too. With 3/16" thick knives and shackles (rock knife mounting system) it's one of the best for mowing uneven ground with the occasional rock thrown in.

 

[wrenchit]

Just a side note, there is a Mott knife grinder on ebay now, but am sure it will be gone soon. Saves the time of stripping the knives and replacing them if they get dull.

 

[streamin]

I just caught this thread, very good but I just bought a Rhino 6' hog last sept.Only used it once. Now I will also need a finish mower but this thread has almost convinced me to sell it and buy a flail. Iron horse seems to have the only dissadvantages of it but my question is , is it worth taking the hit on my rotary cutter and buying the flail or should I keep it and use the flail for mostly finish work??? I have a new property of 26 acres, hilly, brush, woods and about 5 acres of finished lawn.

 

[Eagleview]

I would keep the Rhino as well now that you have it . Im not sure what you meant about me having disadvantages , i thought i was speaking quite highly of them only pointing out some of the limitations so new buyers are'nt disapointed after purchasing one .

 

[Charles Park]

I am looking at a John Deere used flail. The cutters look like flat spoons mounted on the shaft. Thought I saw a picture of some cutters that looked more sharped and curved. Is there a difference? Just want to know before I go too far.

 

[IslandTractor]

I am looking at a John Deere used flail. The cutters look like flat spoons mounted on the shaft. Thought I saw a picture of some cutters that looked more sharped and curved. Is there a difference? Just want to know before I go too far.

There are varying size, shape and style knives or even "hammers" on different flail mowers depending somewhat on the intended use. Mounting systems vary a bit too. Me flail has two comma shaped reversible knives held on by a clevis on each of 28 mount points and it is designed to cut grass and light brush. (see earlier post with photo) Using the clevis adds additional flexibility to the knife when it strikes a hard object to reduce risk of breaking just the same way that a bush hog blade can swivel backwards when it hits a stump. The related Caroni model intended more for finish lawn work has as I recall double the number of knives but without the clevis system.

I'm not quite sure what your JD "flat spoon" is but it sounds kind of like you might be describing the type of knives on my mower. If so it is probably similar to the Caroni as a finish/light brush mower rather than something designed with "hammers" to work in heavy brush or highway shoulders.

 

[IslandTractor]

I just caught this thread, very good but I just bought a Rhino 6' hog last sept.Only used it once. Now I will also need a finish mower but this thread has almost convinced me to sell it and buy a flail. Iron horse seems to have the only dissadvantages of it but my question is , is it worth taking the hit on my rotary cutter and buying the flail or should I keep it and use the flail for mostly finish work??? I have a new property of 26 acres, hilly, brush, woods and about 5 acres of finished lawn.

I agree with Iron Horse. I would keep the Rhino rather than take a big hit on depreciation and would use it for the heavier brush work just to limit wear and tear on the flail. If the brush you are talking about is less than an inch or so then maybe it is not such an advantage to have the bush hog but in that case, were I in your shoes, I'd set a high price on the Rhino and continue to use it until someone decided to pay me for it.

 

[davitk]

I am looking at a John Deere used flail. The cutters look like flat spoons mounted on the shaft. Thought I saw a picture of some cutters that looked more sharped and curved. Is there a difference? Just want to know before I go too far.

?

AKA hammer knives, an option on my flail and for use on brush.

 

[sunspot]

I would keep the Rhino as well now that you have it . Im not sure what you meant about me having disadvantages , i thought i was speaking quite highly of them only pointing out some of the limitations so new buyers are'nt disapointed after purchasing one .

IH, I went back and re-read this thread. This is what I read as far as limitations on the flail.
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May not be a fast mower (forward speed).
Possible damage to flail if ground is rocky or rough.
One 2" sapling at a time. Cutting them may be difficult as the roller will lay them down.
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Not so bad as I can see.

 

[Grapeman]

?

AKA hammer knives, an option on my flail and for use on brush.

My Kuhn has 2.5 lb hammers for brush chopping. When used for mowing fields, it still does a nicer job than a rotary mower.