Sportsman762
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2008
- Messages
- 986
I bought a piece of property that had not been mowed in 5 years. Initially I used a 5' rotary cutter on my 45hp tractor to clean it up (would have liked a 6' but only owned a 5). If the tree was too big to mow over I came back later and dug it out with the backhoe. After mowing it twice with the rotary cutter I switched to the Alamo SHD88 Flail with course cut blades. I think you could start with a flail but it might take multiple passes the first few times to get it under control.
A rotary cutter will clear it up no problem. However the cut is not as good with a flail or finish mower. It also leaves a trail of clippings that will kill the grass under it making it harder to get a good stand of grass growing. It is long, which makes getting under stuff easier, but also makes the mower less maneuverable.
A course cut flail with side slicer blades will not handle woody stuff very well. It will defoliate it and leave the stem. With time it will clean up the area well. It evenly disperses the clippings so no trails of clippings killing grass. The rear roller smooths the ground and makes it hard to scalp. The short length makes it super maneuverable but it cannot reach under trees or over banks at all. It costs a lot more than a rotary cutter and it is not as durable.
A finish mower has the best cut, and cuts small woody brush easier than a flail with side slicer knives. However continually cutting brush or tall grass will kill the mower. Finish mowers are partway between a flail and rotary cutter for maneuverability, you can back under trees, but they do not do a good job of mowing over banks. They are also the highest maintenance option when on rough property.
Here is the before photo.
Here is after mowing with rotary cutter
This is further up the power line after mowing with the flail.
You can see the rotary cutter had a rough finish whereas the flail does a better job. Let me caveat that the rotary cutter is worn out, and the flail is in good shape with worn blades, both would cut better with sharp blades. I actually expected the rotary cutter to die on the job, then I could get a 6'. Its a real junker which is what you would expect for $150, but it only got one new dent in it to my shock.
To summarize my thoughts: If your planning on mowing it 1 to 3 times a year, get a rotary cutter. If you want it looking good, then go with a finish mower or a flail mower.
A rotary cutter will clear it up no problem. However the cut is not as good with a flail or finish mower. It also leaves a trail of clippings that will kill the grass under it making it harder to get a good stand of grass growing. It is long, which makes getting under stuff easier, but also makes the mower less maneuverable.
A course cut flail with side slicer blades will not handle woody stuff very well. It will defoliate it and leave the stem. With time it will clean up the area well. It evenly disperses the clippings so no trails of clippings killing grass. The rear roller smooths the ground and makes it hard to scalp. The short length makes it super maneuverable but it cannot reach under trees or over banks at all. It costs a lot more than a rotary cutter and it is not as durable.
A finish mower has the best cut, and cuts small woody brush easier than a flail with side slicer knives. However continually cutting brush or tall grass will kill the mower. Finish mowers are partway between a flail and rotary cutter for maneuverability, you can back under trees, but they do not do a good job of mowing over banks. They are also the highest maintenance option when on rough property.
Here is the before photo.
Here is after mowing with rotary cutter
This is further up the power line after mowing with the flail.
You can see the rotary cutter had a rough finish whereas the flail does a better job. Let me caveat that the rotary cutter is worn out, and the flail is in good shape with worn blades, both would cut better with sharp blades. I actually expected the rotary cutter to die on the job, then I could get a 6'. Its a real junker which is what you would expect for $150, but it only got one new dent in it to my shock.
To summarize my thoughts: If your planning on mowing it 1 to 3 times a year, get a rotary cutter. If you want it looking good, then go with a finish mower or a flail mower.
