In the vein of Flails for pasture, I have around 75ac that will be needing mowing next summer. I was merely going to get a batwing, since here in Northern KY, that is what everyone is using for horse pastures. But I began thinking about a flail mower. Since I am NOT going to spend all day mowing... I want something with at least a 15ft width. I have a 100hp JD 5100e which should have the required power for at least a 15-20ft mower for using in this regard. (Im not brush hogging things... just mowing pastures.)
I am spending my time, insuring the smoothness of the pastures is as good as possible. They are already soybean fields, so they are pretty good. But I am smoothing them even more with my new dirt equipment.
About the biggest flail mower I have seen is 84-96". This just won't cut it for a pasture mower, at least not this much. But... I have seen 'row crop shredders' which are long enough... but I suspect they are quite a bit different than a 'flail grass mower'. I wouldn't have a problem changing out blades. Does anyone know what that difference really is and could I realistically 'alter' one of these tow-behind flails to work as a good quality mowing machine? I'm skeptical, because I suspect if they were that good, someone in the farms around me would be using one. But they are all stuck on rotary cutters. I know some require bigger HP than my tractor, but I suspect if it is a reasonable thought, I can find one which would be suitable. I'm looking to get something used... but the following site has an explanation of what I am basically talking about.
ROW CROP SHREDDERS | Rhino
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Hello Dadnatron,
NO, they are no different than flail mowers used for grass mowing period! They are built stronger for shredding crops like cotton stubble, Sugar Beet Topping, sugar cane stubble, pineapple stubble and potato vines among others.
Mowing or topping as it is referred to can be done at a two inch cutting height either seasonally or on a continuous mowing schedule and is typically done to prevent damage to grass crops by mowing them short for the winter season.
There is no need to waste your money on a batwing rotary cutter at all.
Your mule has plenty of power for a flail shredder with either scoop knives or side slicers.
You can purchase a wide cut orchard/vineyard shredder from Vrisimo and others.
The maintenance is not big a deal nor is changing side slicers or scoop knives for crop shredders or flail mowers Do not let anyone tell you different.
I cant help that the folks around you invest in rotary cutters but I will eliminate any worry you have about flail crop shredders/flail mowers.
You can purchase flail mowers that are wider than 8 feet in cut with the blink of an eye my friend, that is not an issue, ever.
NOW you can invest in new or new excess new inventory or buying in the off season by checking with the Vrisimo folks in California and the Hiniker corporate folks in Minnesota if they have a new or used rebuilt wide flail crop shredder to sell.
If you want a 15 foot flail shredder you can purchase a HINIKER flail crop shredder and add a rear towing kit and running lights option and the flail mower will be smaller in width than a road lane of 8 feet and pass through 8 foot farm gates as well.
Used flail crop shredders are offered for sale and buying from a dealer or a farm dispersal auction is the best way. Saying that new flail shredders come up for sale through tractor house and other advertisers as well as excess inventory.
(they have real bargains at times)
In a smaller example the Vrisimo SC1120 is a 10 foot cut flail mower with side slicers or scoop knives and only requires 40 to 60 horse power and your mule has plenty of power for it and mows from 0-6 inches in cutting height.
Please ask more questions as needed.
