Mowing flail mower vs. bush hog

moonstruck · Apr 27, 2004

I have narrowed my tractor search to either a NH TC35D or a Kubota L3830 with FEL and some kind of mower to mow about 6 acres of pasture with lots of fencing. I have been leaning toward a bush hog but with many turns to be made I am concerned that a long machine like that (w/ FEL) will be somewhat cumbersome. I am now wondering if a MMM or rear mounted flail mower would be a better choice. There are some trees to mow around and the ground is uneven in many places but no steep slopes. One thing I have discovered is that a flail mower can be offset to one side for close up mowing of fence lines. If I go with a different syle I'll have to go with 72" to be able to mow close. Any ideas about pros and cons of both these mowing option appreciated.

Moonstruck

MarkV · Apr 27, 2004

Moonstruck,
Fine tractors you are looking at and way more than enough for 6 acres of mowing. You must have plenty of other projects in the works that need a good size machine. I don't have any experience with a flail mower though I understand they will do a great job on your pastures. They don't hang behind your tractor near as much as a rotary mower and are less likely to throw an object from the mower. Not so good if you have any brush cutting to do or are on a budget. Flail mowers are expensive. In my opinion you would beat a MMM to death in a rough field situation.

I would think that a rotary mower would be the most often used mower for your setting. With the length being a concern I would mow without the FEL on the tractor. It is pretty simple to remove and reinstall the FEL on both models you are considering. If you feel the mower may be to heavy without the FEL then add some front weights to the tractor.

Pretty area you live in. We have visited friends in Boone several times and enjoyed the area.

MarkV

AndyMA · Apr 28, 2004

Moonstruck

Having put hundreds of hours on a Mott walk behind flail mower over 30 years ago I can atest to the fine mowing job that they do. I di dmuch finish mowing with my Dad's. In addition to that it had no problem handling fields and light brush. Quality of cut was very similar to that of a finish mower and much better than a Brush Hog. There are many cutters available for Flail mowers for different purposes. I've been looking at one mounted on the end of a boom for my farm drive. Personally I'd love one.

Andy

moonstruck · Apr 28, 2004

Thanks to both for the input. I haven't yet priced a flail mower so that could drive me away if it's more than a couple thousand. Maybe I should even consider a smaller tractor. I do have a B7800 that I use for another piece of property but I felt that I may need something a little bigger here.

cperky · Apr 28, 2004

Does anybody have a picture of a flail mower? I am curious as to the differences between the flail and a rotary cutter. I have never seen a flail mower and am curious.

Thanks,
Chris

Bird · Apr 28, 2004

Chris, you might try this link for a picture of one of many flail mowers.

Golfgar4 · Apr 28, 2004

Here's another brand that shows it mounted on a 3pt.

SnowRidge · Apr 28, 2004

I was also torn between a flail mower and a rotary cutter. The high prices for the flails is a real limiting factor. I did find one decent brand that wasn't too expensive, but all of their then available models hooked up offset only. I needed one that could hook up centered, so I gave up and bought a rotary.

However, the brand I was considering (Caroni) sounds like it might fit your bill. As luck would have it, they are sold by an outfit with several stores in N.C., Agri Supply.

Here is a picture of one.

Hope this helps,

SnowRidge

moonstruck · Apr 28, 2004

SnowRidge,

Thanks,

I found a 59" Caroni at Agri Suppy in Raleigh for $1375. I think this might be exactly what I want. Thanks very much!

Moonstruck

SnowRidge · Apr 28, 2004

( found a 59" Caroni at Agri Suppy in Raleigh for $1375. I think this might be exactly what I want. Thanks very much! )

You are very welcome. Good luck with it.

SnowRidge

AndyMA · Apr 28, 2004

Landpride also makes some good Flail Mowers Landpride

Andy

cperky · Apr 28, 2004

Thanks for the info Bird,Golfgar4

Chris

moonstruck · Apr 29, 2004

I do have one more question. Will a flail mower mow a pasture that is slightly overgrown? If I let it grow to 6-7" can I cut it back to 3" without overloading?

AndyMA · Apr 29, 2004

( Thanks for the info Bird,Golfgar4

Chris )

Yes easily if you have enough pto hp and the right blades in the flail mower. For only 6-7" the standard blades should be fine and I don't think the ho increase would be much depending on how wide you went. Many golf courses use flail mowers for some of their mowing.

Andy

moonstruck · Apr 29, 2004

Andy,

Thanks, sounds like it will do everything I need.

jimg · Apr 29, 2004

Interesting thread! When I was purchasing a tractor I too was interested in a flail mower. However, I couldnt find anyone who would recommend them. The reasons were high initial cost, high cost of up keep, not as good a cut as a conventional mower. What I could never get an answer for was what are the high up keep costs. No one I talked to could answer that one. So, what are they?

It seems that flail mowers would be more flexible than rotary types b/c w/ a changes of blades (or hammers...is that what theyre called?) you could have a mower suited for a wide range of situations.

djradz · Apr 29, 2004

I think you'll regret purchasing such a small-width machine. You will be at it a long time if you're mowing 6 acres with a ~5 ft deck. A TC 35 should be able to handle 7 ft. I'd opt for a 6 foot deck as a minimum.

moonstruck · Apr 29, 2004

I keep changing my mind on the width I need for two reasons. 1) I have a number of trees that I need to mow around/between on part of the property. 2) The ground is uneven in many places.

I do have a large fence line and like the offset feature of a flail mower that would allow me to get up close to a fence.

Does anyone have a "rule of thumb" as far as how much land you can mow in an hour with a certain width mower?

JJJackson · Apr 29, 2004

I think I read on one of the other sites that the recommended max speed is 5 mph. This might help in determining the amount per hour of cut. If I am wrong about the speed someone please correct me. Joe