What are you basing that on? Higher engine rpm and lower ground speed ? I've seen this posted more than once and I'm not sure why. I'm running a 68" flail with a JD 4300 or JD 770 and don't see where they get robbed. On the 4300, cutting 12+ down to 3-4" I run B2 (3.5 mph)
Mowing Pasture - Is an 88" flail mower or 72" brush hog faster?
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What are you basing that on? Higher engine rpm and lower ground speed ? I've seen this posted more than once and I'm not sure why. I'm running a 68" flail with a JD 4300 or JD 770 and don't see where they get robbed. On the 4300, cutting 12+ down to 3-4" I run B2 (3.5 mph)
majorwager
Veteran Member
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The OP was correct in that this topic has the ability to start a WAR
There is NOT going to be a consensus concernig flail hp requirements. Seems as heated as climate change /global warming issues.
Member A uses a 8 ft flail behind a garden tractor w/ only tremendous results. Fine, happy for your mowing success.
Member B uses a 6 ft flail as l did behind 50 hp gear tractor with dismal results. I attempted to cut thick field grass, timothy and such, from 12 or 18 inch length down to about 4 inches. 3 to 4 mph operating goal, was ineffective.
EDIT:
DDbackhoe, believe I made my position clear, further banter pointless.
In summary, members will preserve their opinions, unabated, and continue to use whatever equipment suits their needs and purposes.
Potential buyers of flail equipment will read the coflicting opinions and decide for themselves which mowing application provides the desired result. Wish this topic would just lay dorment because, as OP was fully aware, it just causes consternation and acid reflex syndrome,
AND there is never a resolution, same arguments in every new thread start, time after time after time.
There is NOT going to be a consensus concernig flail hp requirements. Seems as heated as climate change /global warming issues.
Member A uses a 8 ft flail behind a garden tractor w/ only tremendous results. Fine, happy for your mowing success.
Member B uses a 6 ft flail as l did behind 50 hp gear tractor with dismal results. I attempted to cut thick field grass, timothy and such, from 12 or 18 inch length down to about 4 inches. 3 to 4 mph operating goal, was ineffective.
EDIT:
DDbackhoe, believe I made my position clear, further banter pointless.
In summary, members will preserve their opinions, unabated, and continue to use whatever equipment suits their needs and purposes.
Potential buyers of flail equipment will read the coflicting opinions and decide for themselves which mowing application provides the desired result. Wish this topic would just lay dorment because, as OP was fully aware, it just causes consternation and acid reflex syndrome,
AND there is never a resolution, same arguments in every new thread start, time after time after time.
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I missed the point where I said there was, actually I stated I didn't know why. I simply asked how you were arriving at your conclusion.
bkrgi
Bronze Member
Nothing is perfect and the debate of which mowing device one needs will never end clearly.
If your in the market for a mowing device one has to be very realistic about their needs and desired results. All points made are valid and it is up to the buyer to decide upon the best match up for what they are dealing with and no body should say hands down one mower type is better than another.
I chose a flail for the fact that what I use it for I want better mulching and residue management plus compactness of the unit vs any Rotary unit let alone the safety aspect of not slinging stuff into houses vehicles people etc. Maintenance will be more but is the price one pays for such...is what it is. I expect a flail to be slower than any rotary of equal width since really it is doing more work(mulching things finer) but that is also HP dependent and for speed...well one can only go so fast no matter what one uses
They all get the job done with pro's and con's..... is up to the buyer to decide what compromises work best for them under their conditions.
Also be very very realistic with HP requirements ...just because one touts min HP requirements does not mean it will work in anothers real world....better to er on the cautionary side than be disappointed unless you fully understand equipment and its abilities vs what your going to toss at it....experience wins this debate
At least we have CHOICES
For the OP if he has extra HP to run the flail then likely the job gets done faster ..but then a bigger rotary works faster as well....but if happy with the rotary/tractor combo as is(which I clearly believe is the case) then maybe better to just not dive into another Rabbit hole...grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence.....
If your in the market for a mowing device one has to be very realistic about their needs and desired results. All points made are valid and it is up to the buyer to decide upon the best match up for what they are dealing with and no body should say hands down one mower type is better than another.
I chose a flail for the fact that what I use it for I want better mulching and residue management plus compactness of the unit vs any Rotary unit let alone the safety aspect of not slinging stuff into houses vehicles people etc. Maintenance will be more but is the price one pays for such...is what it is. I expect a flail to be slower than any rotary of equal width since really it is doing more work(mulching things finer) but that is also HP dependent and for speed...well one can only go so fast no matter what one uses
They all get the job done with pro's and con's..... is up to the buyer to decide what compromises work best for them under their conditions.
Also be very very realistic with HP requirements ...just because one touts min HP requirements does not mean it will work in anothers real world....better to er on the cautionary side than be disappointed unless you fully understand equipment and its abilities vs what your going to toss at it....experience wins this debate
At least we have CHOICES
For the OP if he has extra HP to run the flail then likely the job gets done faster ..but then a bigger rotary works faster as well....but if happy with the rotary/tractor combo as is(which I clearly believe is the case) then maybe better to just not dive into another Rabbit hole...grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence.....
vvanders
Platinum Member
For me the flail was always a trade-off between safety and maintenance. I mow around the house/neighbors/etc so I couldn't come to terms with lobbing a 2-3lb rock through someone's front window.
def38
Platinum Member
Nobody seems to have anything to say about the "lowly" sickle mower. They are relatively quiet and cut close regardless of the grass height.
majorwager
Veteran Member
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I have a NH sickle mower sitting in the shop. I believe it is a 451. I changed the cutting bar to the updated style. It still has a tendency to CLOG up. So there it sits.
S.I. Distributing Inc.: SCH EasyCut Cutter Bar Kits
S.I. Distributing Inc.: SCH EasyCut Cutter Bar Kits
CADplans
Elite Member
What, no pics?
My 41 engine HP hydrostatic tractor,, 90 inch mower,,,
My 41 engine HP hydrostatic tractor,, 90 inch mower,,,
majorwager
Veteran Member
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- western new york
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- kubota mx 5100 IH 484 ford 1620 lull 844b
CAD Plans
Surprising the tractor can actually lift the mower. If you focus upon cutting grass at the SAME length as in the photograph, that mower should work well. Do you have an operating photo on thick 2' or 3' tall THICK vegetation?
EDIT:
I own a IH 484, had 6 ft flail, dismal results, happy for you that a 584 will handle your mower.
Surprising the tractor can actually lift the mower. If you focus upon cutting grass at the SAME length as in the photograph, that mower should work well. Do you have an operating photo on thick 2' or 3' tall THICK vegetation?
EDIT:
I own a IH 484, had 6 ft flail, dismal results, happy for you that a 584 will handle your mower.
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CADplans
Elite Member
I use it to mow the pasture between November and February,,,
The other months, I use this,,,
