Ym240d and flail mowers

[Jmlcolorado]

I’m wondering if anyone uses a flail mower on their YM240 or similar sized tractor?
The flail mowers are appealing to me due to smaller storage space, quality of cut, and safty factor of flying debris.
They are not prevalent in Colorado, or Im just not used to seeing them.
You know how that goes, once you get one you値l see them everywhere.

Primary use would be mowing my 4 acre property thats mostly flat with native grass. I prefer to keep it on the short end as the property will be used for landing and takeoff of paramotor pilots, so the shorter grass is more forgiving on fabric Paragliders.

In the past, I would only mow once or twice a year and the grass would grow to substantial heights of 2 or more. A rough cut mower did fine to clear this area, but now my goal is to maintain this regularly.

Of course, I would be shopping for a smaller mower with a horsepower rating better suited to the small yanmar, but Id like real world experiences from folks who use on on their machine and how well you like it.

 

[Jtullis13]

I have never used a flail mower but have been intrigued by them. I don't know why your 240 wouldn't handle one, what is the size of rough cut mower you have now? I would think you could use a 5ft flail mower with ease as long as you didn't use it in high gear. Your other option would be a finish mower, you could regularly maintain with that and flying debris would be less than your rough cut mower.

 

[CoyPatton]

I would tend to agree with the finish mower ideal. You can find them for sale used in fairly good shape. Upkeep on a finish mower should be simpler than the knifes on a fail mower as I understand balance is much more crucial. My cousin that farms has one they use to cut stalks on crops, he says to stop cutting when it gets out of balance as out of balance is hard on bearings. Now it is a big unit they call it a thrasher, but looks like a fail mower underneath it.
If your area is clean enough for plans to land, it should be ok for a finish mower. Depending on how close you plan to keep it mowed, you may be able to use a 72” unit, but that is the widest to consider. 60” should be no issues. But with the rotary cutter, you have a method to cut it back if it should get out of hand due to heavy raining season and that every present enemy, time to mow when you need to mow.