Flail Mower realistic brush cutting with a flail mower??

BigAl · Apr 28, 2005

I recently purchased a used 918H Ford 72" flail mower for my DK45 kioti tractor .I rebuilt and repaired it and it is now time to give it a try . It came with no manual . Can some of you who have used a flail mower enlighten me as to what size brush I can cut down and chop up ? I will be using the mower for the first time soon and want to be sure I don't overtax it .
Thanks ,
Big Al

Tom_H · Apr 28, 2005

I don't know about this model. I do know that flail mowers, regardless of size, can be light, medium, or heavy duty. Light duty, large or small, has smaller knives, lighter skin, etc. and is more for finish mowing. Heavy duty can be large or small, has a more rugged body, and uses larger "hammers" that can break apart brush, yet still leave a rather groomed looking cut. You might want to post over in Ford/NH Owning/Operating & see whether anyone knows about this model. If they don't, they still might be able to point you in the right direction. Good Luck.

thegreatrandini · Apr 29, 2005

I always thought of flail mowers as grooming or finish mowers. Your blades will die early if you cut brush with it. Thats what rotary mowers with stump jumpers is for.. Get a manual for it and maybe you can prove me wrong though.....

Ozarker · Apr 29, 2005

I've always seen a flail mower as being between a finish mower and a rotary cutter. It really doesn't cut smoothly enough to be a finish mower and it isn't made to cut down 2" saplings. I used one to rough cut the fields around an air strip but wouldn't have one to cut my lawn.

sy308 · Apr 30, 2005

My neighbor uses his to cut his lawn as a finish mower for the 15 years I have lived across the street. He is very particular and meticulous so he must be very satisfied with the cut. I have never used one, but based on my knowledge I would say to use it for grass and no big stuff.

RonL · Apr 30, 2005

Big Al

I think Tom H said it best. Flail mowers can run the gamut. With light, sharp blades they can do a decent job on a finish cut. The heavier forged "hammer" type blades are for heavier growth.
Take a look at the blades. If they are pressed metal that branches out to a "tee" at the end, they are finishing type blades. If the blades are heavy forged metal that forms a flat blade section, they are suitable for heavier growth. The construction of the mower itself affects the use. Flail mowers used for brush cutting are heavily built. Swinging blades mounted on a spinning drum serve the same purpose as swinginging blades on a stump jumper, more or less.
The giant machines that land clearing companies use to clear huge areas are basically flail mowers.

RonL