Thinking about a flail mower but wonder if it is worth it for my application

[PeteN]

I've been using my rotary bush hog mower for over 20 years and I mainly mow rolling pasture areas. I also have found it valuable in brushing out some smaller stuff but most of the time it is more grassy and weedy areas. I was thinking about getting a flail mower, not so much for it's ability to cut shorter, but I thought the versions that can be shifted to the side would be a nice feature. Never used a flail mower so am I to understand that you let the flail on the 3pt float and set the height of the cut by the rollers in the back? I believe that would work well on flat areas but wonder how it works on rougher terrain or in hilly areas. I've read through a lot of flail mower threads and I'm beginning to think I should just stay with the rotary cutter.

 

[John0829]

My advise is if you have a lot of hilly, rough or undulating terrain then stay with the rotary cutter. I have tried everything with mine and no matter how they are setup they will leave places uncut such as when you top a rise or shave the ground when your tires go into a low place in the ground. Plus to get the same quality of cut I have found it is necessary to go at about half the speed I can with a rotary or it takes two passes over the same ground.

I like the flail cutters for the safety of not throwing things and find it is great for mowing the sides of the road the county does not seem to have time for but IMHO they are best suited for flat or reasonably flat ground

 

[ruffdog]

I wonder if a flail needs to go slower but at least you don't get all the wind rows and uncut rows that the tires pushed down? Just like the OP, I'm sure looking for something that is a rough-cut mower that does better than a rotary cutter.

 

[leonz]

I wonder if a flail needs to go slower but at least you don't get all the wind rows and uncut rows that the tires pushed down? Just like the OP, I'm sure looking for something that is a rough-cut mower that does better than a rotary cutter.

Hello Ruffdog,

I have written extensively on the forum about selecting the right flail mower
in many posts when folks need help selecting a flail mower.
Please send me a PM so I can help you with your purchasing decision.

 

[oosik]

I've used my JD 570 riding mower to cut my brush. This brush is called Buck brush. Two feet high - 1/4 inch stem diameter. Thick as the hair on a dogs back. It goes slow but does a good job.

 

[diesel85]

I run a Woodmaxx 62" flail mower on my BX2200. Last year I mowed ~5 acres of field that had 3-4' grasses. I left the rear hatch open, but the machine tackled it no problem in low gear pedal to the floorboard. No windrows using the Y grass knives.

My Woodmaxx has a fixed and float position on the hitch setup. I always use the float to "shave" the ground.

I just had it out again a few days ago to do some light mowing, and that machine does a heck of a job.

I might reverse the knives next year depending on how much more mowing I do. I want to make sure they get even wear.

Can say that after using rotary brush cutters (brush hogs) for a long time when doing farm work, the flail is a better machine for mowing grass that is just too much for a finish mower. While still being able to attack to small 1/2" or less saplings and deal with debris like rocks, garbage, and other stuff.

I'll elect to mow my lawn with it a few times a year. I set it down nice and low and have at it. Does a great striping job and leave practically no clippings.

It's a versatile implement in my mind.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Congratulations on being able to start a thread, others can’t for some reason. Maybe TBN glitch.
Anyone use a pull type rotary mower? Vs 3 pt one.

 

[Smokeydog]

Trying too to find the best rough cut mower. Have 50+ years using rotary cutters. This year trying a used Alamo shd74 with twin rear caster wheels. Thinking the larger wheels will help on our rough, hillside farm. Already impressed with cut quality. See how it handles 6’ high fall cutting.

Flail mowers seem to have more options to consider for different applications. We tried a smaller flail mower to replace a finish mower that didn’t work out.

 

[Oakfield1862]

I am also on the hunt for a flail mower. I want a hydraulic offset flail. They are made in Italy, China, or Germany (but German ones are not available in the US yet - brand is MUTHING).

It is tough to find one in stock.

 

[workinonit]

I don't see the hydro 3 PH mowers. Muthing is available in the US.

 

[Oakfield1862]

I don't see the hydro 3 PH mowers. Muthing is available in the US.

Do you know where they are for sale? Below is an email from Muthing from earlier this morning:

 

[Indian Territory]

I have had only very good results with my Maschio Tigre 300 ten-foot flail mower. It doesn't ask me to slow down at all and gives a very fine finish. Granted, I am not in hilly terrain so I can't speak to other people's experiences. What I do know is, I will never own another brush hog again. They're simply inferior in every measurable way. My flail can cut 4" woody undergrowth on the first pass, and then mow the pasture into near yard. They're great machines.

 

[leonz]

Del Morino or Maschio are the only ones you should consider.

 

[Oakfield1862]

Maschios are made in China (they have their own factory there). Peruzzo's are very nice. 3-Pt PTO Ditch Bank Flail Mowers, For 20HP-200HP Tractors!

 

[Indian Territory]

Maschios are made in China (they have their own factory there). Peruzzo's are very nice. 3-Pt PTO Ditch Bank Flail Mowers, For 20HP-200HP Tractors!

My Maschio is made in Italy, as clearly indicated on its badging. Bought last summer in '23. Likely has to do with the size and category of implement purchased.

I do have a large Maschio commercial grade tiller that was made in China, but it's a beast too.

 

[Oakfield1862]

My Maschio is made in Italy, as clearly indicated on its badging. Bought last summer in '23. Likely has to do with the size and category of implement purchased.

I do have a large Maschio commercial grade tiller that was made in China, but it's a beast too.

good to hear that not all of their items are made in China. I know the Frontier-branded ones are, which was disappointing.

 

[ShaunM4]

My Maschio is made in Italy, as clearly indicated on its badging. Bought last summer in '23. Likely has to do with the size and category of implement purchased.

I do have a large Maschio commercial grade tiller that was made in China, but it's a beast too.

Does your maschio Tigre 300 have an access door in the back to work on the blades? I see on there website it looks like some has access door and some don’t. Maybe it depends on the width of the mower. Not sure.

 

[workinonit]

I too have a Tigre 300. I'm guessing the Maschio flails that are made in China are the ditchbank mowers. Mine is not that type. It has a slide deck that is manual but came cylinder ready. I picked up a cylinder from AgSouth. Mine does have a rear door for access. People who have trouble on uneven ground don't know how to set one up or the flail doesn't have "float" capability. I float mine all the time and never have any issues. These flails are incredible. Since I bought mine I have never again attached my JD 609 bush hog.

 

[brewdog]

I've had both and prefer the Flail mower. I'm not mowing fields only trimming along edge lines and trails I have, I much prefer the shorter flail mower with the hammer style blades instead of the Y shaped grass blades. I bought the Betstco brand in a medium duty flail model not the HD model. The 48" Flail still weighs in at 515 lbs. Not a lightweight machine at all.

 

[Williy]

oakfield1862 you didn't look very hard to find a muthing lots of sellers

muthing sale - Google Search

willy