Flail Mower Considering Betstco Flail cutter/mower

[leonz]

And that is another fact that people disagree on. One site says Rotary uses more HP, others say FM uses more HP. The dealer I bought tractor from recommends the

68″ Standard Duty Flail Mower, FH-EF175​

I think the video from Messicks says that you can be at the low end of HP. People on here are credible, as well as some reviewers, like Messicks. That's what makes this more difficult for me. I will spend the $2500 if I can justify/prove to myself that it is the right choice. My TC29D had no issues cutting with BH. Just had to use low range up the steeper hills.

Please look at the 5 foot cut DEL MORINO and MASCHIO three point
hitch mounted flail mower/flail shredders and the motorized Wessex
towed flail mower before you pull your wallet out of your pocket.

The major advantage of the towed Wessex flail mower with its Briggs and
Stratton V-twin engine is that your new mule will just become a tow truck
and the trash screen on your radiator will not plug as quickly.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Thanks for the advise, all way above budget. I don't see how the motorized one keeps chaf out of radiator screen.

 

[leonz]

The towed Wessex flail mower is further in the rear and any
chaff is thrown backwards away from the tractor.

 

[scootr]

The only way to avoid chaff in the radiator is to mow when it's still very green.

 

[RjCorazza]

OK, I know this is an old thread, but here goes.
I've watched so many videos, read so many reviews, and after reading this thread, I'm no closer to pulling the trigger. Matter of fact, I think I'm farther away. I am about to close (knock on wood) on a piece of property that has about 18 or so acres of what use to be hay. It hasn't been hayed in at least 5 years. I've brush hogged 4 acres or so, and cut walking paths. I've also used my semi beat up MMM to maintain what I have brush hogged, and it looks pretty good. I'm not looking for more "lawn" just want to keep it under control. My plan is to cut only 3 or so times a year.
All that said, is it worth getting a flail mower for my needs? I know the MMM won't last more than a couple of years if I keep using that. Other than clumps, which, depending on my mood, doesn't bother me, when using brush hog. I didn't realize that using flail mower was done much slower than brush hog. I get that when doing brush it is, as seen in videos, but tall grass didn't look like it was so slow.

I was in the same decision making boat last year... Too many options and conflicting information. My use is quite different; main objective is to mow a stream bank and occasional field type cutting, so I got a 62" Del Morino ditch bank flail with hammers. It gives a better cut than a brush hog cut in overgrown material, and isn't any slower that I can tell.
For cutting 3 times per year I think a flail would be far superior to a brush hog in field appearance.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

It's the speed of cut that has me concerned. I can go full speed, mid range with my brush hog, without hills. If a flail is slower, that may be a changer for me. Tough call, as there are different experiences.

 

[Fallon]

It's the speed of cut that has me concerned. I can go full speed, mid range with my brush hog, without hills. If a flail is slower, that may be a changer for me. Tough call, as there are different experiences.

A flail has a couple more bearings & belts than a rotary which eat a bit of HP. A bit more drag on a roller than a tail wheel I expect. Flails mulch a lot more, so cut each blade of grass multiple times, which takes more HP. So a flail will take more HP than a similar width rotary. Not a huge amount, but noticable in back to back comparisons.

I appreciate the advantages & have stuck with flails though.

 

[TractorNoob85]

I cut my fields faster with the flail mower than my dad ever did with a pull type rotary mower of equal width. Take that for what it's worth I guess. The flail mower gives a much better finish than a rotary does.