Flail Mowers

[kthompson]

I have had three flail mowers. First was bought to use behind a B2710 Kubota and it handled it fine. No idea the brand but was sold by Agri Supply. I took it back after one use for it had the "Y" blades on it and was bought to mow lawn and it looked terrible. It was few years before I bought my second one which I used on 12,000 excavator for mowing around fields and pond. Still have the mower head but now on a tractor boom mower. Also tested a boom mower for Agri Supply for about three years with flail mower head. Two years ago I bought my third but the fourth flail mower I have run.

I think the rough-cut Brush cutter is a fast ground speed. I think it is simpler but there are draws back to that.

Flail mowers are to me better on a boom than a rotary mower. They offset better than a rotary mower does, well maybe should say there is more offset options with the flail mowers. If you break a rough cut mower blade with the mower raised or tilted often it is real hunk of metal that goes flying. Have heard of them clearing a house to damage the house on far side. Of course a flying flair mower blade is serious but nor likely to be as much weight.
For me the flail mower if setup correctly (direction of rotation comes into play. Some around it to rotate forward or reverse, many do not) will mulch brush or trees where a rough cut does not. I have seen a rough cut mower throw a stump over 75 feet to do major damage to a car door to a car driving by. Never had a flail to really throw debris more than 4 to 6 feet.

As other has posted I have all three mowers types and like each one.

 

[Hay Dude]

Thanks Hay Dude. Nice to hear from someone who has extensively used both. I will have trees etc I will need to back up under but the largest acreage is open pasture. I am trying to balance safety and performance. The tractor may be more stable on hills with the flail but I am not really sure if the difference is much. We have cattle, so we have to deal with bull holes which makes tractor work a little more dangerous. Because of that I am looking at some oscillating tractors which will navigate those situations much better. Some of the dealers for those tractors like the flail mowers better because of the weight distribution, etc.

We mow under and around all kinds of objects. I actually like our wide area mowers best because you can drive the “wing” under the object, or back up to it and keep the tractor from getting all scratched up. Heres me cutting under power lines next to a fence. No problem with a wide mower.
In your case, consider a side shift mower.

 

[workinonit]

I have a offset 10' Maschio with hammers. When set properly, which is within 1.5" from the ground it cuts as good as my 20' FM.

 

[Hay Dude]

Heres my Ferri swing flail mower. It offset about 4’ either side and angles upward or downward. You need a very heavy tractor or counterbalance weights to really make it work.

 

[workinonit]

Yea, people buy those things and don't have a clue how awkward they are. They will put you in the ditch you are trimming if you aren't careful. I've been running a rotary version of one for years.

 

[wirlybird]

Others have given great info here.
Here is my 2 cents worth!
I have three flails of different size and configuration.
First thing is if there are ANY rocks or similar debris forget it! The flail blades just don't do well.
As far as saplings and cutting up to 2-3 inch take that with a grain of salt. I found my flail with hammers is more likely to bend over any type of saplings or stiffer stalky types of vegetation and just scuff over them and leave them standing.
I think the flail will do better than a rotary cutter in areas with low vine type of stuff. It has its place but the flail really doesn't replace the rotary cutter.
I do use my largest flail with scoop or duck foot type cutters to do a large field and that does a really nice job but the field is debris free and is kept cut.

Think of the brush hog as a "multi tool", it does an ok job with whatever you throw at it.
The flail is a little more "specialized", it has areas where it is very good but I don't think it is nearly the general use tool as the brush hog.

 

[Xfaxman]

If anyone has a link to another discussion, please post it.

I have written extensively about this issue on the forum for many years.

If you have the time and want to examine it in more detail look up the flail mower thread
on the attachments page to examine it further.

Here is the epic flail mower thread: Flail Mower - Let's talk flail mowers

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

I have a custom mowing business. Hay & large fields and a few smaller fields. Have owned several mowers flail (John Deere 390 and Ferri swing arm flail) & rotary (John Deere CX & Woods Batwings) over the last 20+ years. Flail mowers are nice, but I didnt care for the extra maintenance on all the tiny hammers and had some issues with belts. A bush hog type of rotary mower is all shaft driven and pretty easy to sharpen the blades.
As you said, Flail mower less likely to throw objects, but my rotaries (John Deere CX series) have chain shielding and it works great. In 20 years I cant remember ever throwing anything in a dangerous manner through rotary chain shielding.
The flail is more compact and closer to the tractor for backing. How important is that to you versus the ease of service and ruggedness of a HD rotary?
Over the years, we have eliminated the flails from our fleet of mowers and are now all rotary. However, I can understand the attractiveness of a flail.

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How many mowers do you have Hey Dude???

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

A 48" flail mower will cut as well or better than a 72" flail mower

Please explain why.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

The flail is a little more "specialized", it has areas where it is very good but I don't think it is nearly the general use tool as the brush hog.

Where do you think it shines the best?