Flail vs. Bush Hog..?

[nckennedy]

Oh My. You are a big help. So glad you gave a heads up before I bought it. Do you have any idea if thoes blades can be changed to rough cut?
Thanks so much,
nck

 

[boggen]

there should be a pin or something for each chain. that goes down to each cutter head on the fail. so you can replace chain and small cutter head.

if ya think about it, with that many small size cutter heads. they are bond to get damage, come off, need sharped or something down the line. and there should be a way to replace them as needed.

finish or rough, i would just take it out and see what happens.

 

[nckennedy]

Ok, thanks so much. Sounds responsible just to go ahead and try it. The pictures I am looking at seem to support what you are saying, in that, the blades could be changed. However some of the treads on here suggest that on some manufactures they are not inter changable.
Thanks,
nck

 

[beppington]

Ok, thanks so much. Sounds responsible just to go ahead and try it. The pictures I am looking at seem to support what you are saying, in that, the blades could be changed. However some of the treads on here suggest that on some manufactures they are not inter changable.
Thanks,
nck

Not easily/ readily anyway, for the Caroni TM1900 flail mower anyway ... May take you some calling around, internet searching for the right parts, calculating weights for suitably weighted replacements, etc. No reason I know of that it can't be done as long as you factor everything correctly, including physical size & weight of the replacement blade/ knife, its connecting piece (shackle, etc.), nuts/ bolts, & any other OEM piece(s) you'd be replacing. Remember that some flails (not sure about the Caroni) have a weighted rotor, so you wouldn't want to replace a set of blades weighing say 50 lbs with a new set weighing say 100 lbs - It'd be off balance.

 

[nckennedy]

Ok ,thats a good tip. Better stay clear of trying to change the blade style
nck

 

[Mark Page]

I had a problem with multi-flora-rose in our woods and tree lines. Used round up, which would lay it back until the following spring, then it was back with a vengence. I was complaining one day in the local farm supply store when this old farmer pulled me aside. He told me to mix 2-4-D and roundup in the usual amounts 7 oz. each in a 2 gallon sprayer. It sounded like it might have merit and I gave it try. It killed the multi-flora-rose once and for all.

 

[houstonscott]

I have been looking at both for a while now. Is there any reason to buy a Bush Hog, over a Flail other than price. Seems like the flail mower is superior in every way.

HS

 

[bigbull338]

ive never ran a fail mower,so i cant speak for them.but ive ran bushhogs.an to me the bushhog chopps things up in smaller peices if your taking your time cutting bushes an such.an it seems to make a nice cut in a clean pasture when your cutting weeds.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I have been looking at both for a while now. Is there any reason to buy a Bush Hog, over a Flail other than price. Seems like the flail mower is superior in every way.

HS

Bushog: No problem with the big stuf, lots less maintenance, lower initial cost, less hp-hrs per job.
larry

 

[Ford tractor]

I have been looking at both for a while now. Is there any reason to buy a Bush Hog, over a Flail other than price. Seems like the flail mower is superior in every way.

HS

Flail mower is vastly superior for use where thrown debris is a concern. They tend to drive that junk down into the ground and not out at the speed of light! Every rotary rough cut has tossed broken blades out. No idea where, but they went at 15,000 ft per minute speed. Figure 8-12 pounds of sharp edged steel at that speed and you get the idea why it's dangerous.

They are also superior for use in restricted areas because they are much shorter than rotary cutters-- especially when you start talking about larger single spindle rotaries. That shortness also gives them better balance -- more weight on the front of the tractor when transporting because of the shorter lever arm.

But they cost more, take more maintenance and 30-60 new blades costs a LOT more and takes a LOT more time to deal with than 2 in a rotary!

 

[nckennedy]

HI Guys,
I have a JD 5425 its about 7.5 ft (outside) between the rear wheels. How wide a flail mower should I get? If I get a 7 ft, would it extend over the right wheel enough to get close the hedge rows, trees, etc?
Thanks,
Craig

 

[leonz]

HI Guys,
I have a JD 5425 its about 7.5 ft (outside) between the rear wheels. How wide a flail mower should I get? If I get a 7 ft, would it extend over the right wheel enough to get close the hedge rows, trees, etc?
Thanks,
Craig

Hello Craig,

It depends on your shopping as you can purchase flailmowers with hydraulic side shift to cover the right wheel and then some when mowing.

Vrismo, Caroni, Diamond, John Deere, Loftness, Setti; Mathews, Woods and Loftness for flail shredders and a few others are the ones that come to mind that would work well for you.

How heavy is the brush? You could also make use of a used or new 10 foot wide flailshredder chopper, but you would have to monitor the right wheel position of the flail shredder/chopper but have a huge advantage in cutting ability with the wider cupped knives.


The extra width would be worth the time savings for you.

 

[nckennedy]

Thanks for the input.
I did't realize they could be adjusted back and forth to extend over the right wheel. Still confused about the type of knives. We will be cutting mostly heavy grass along hedge rows and around trees, but we do have plenty of stones. So you think the wide cup style is better than the L shaped or Y for general use? What is meant by rough cut vs. smooth or regular cut?
I want to get something that can not just handle grass but some light brush also.
craig