rotary cutters.

[gravelman]

Im basically cutting a hay field, lots of thick weeds etc...no brush I think it is way too heavy for a finish mower... how about the old fashioned sickle bar

 

[dadohead]

I think it is way too heavy for a finish mower... how about the old fashioned sickle bar

Agreed. Sickle bars have an advantage of requiring VERY little power but have several big disadvantages: they require lots of maintenance and dont tolerate hitting things very well (rocks, wire,, etc).

I would love to have a flail but dont have enough tractor.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

To the OP there are a couple of different styles of bush hog blades, straight that are better suited for brush and or a rough finish on grass, and then there are curved or lift type blades which help create a vacuum or lift the grass for a much better finish and appearance and there is a big difference, I have also seen mowers that were open front and rear that just didn't create much vacuum to lift the grass leaving a poor quality cut, usually on these mowers something simple like installing a piece of old conveyor belt across the front of the mower will help it create enough vacuum to increase the looks of the finish, lastly is blade tip speed, the faster it is the better the cut. Good luck.

 

[aesanders]

Yes sir...i did that when i mounted the mower to the tractor on a nice flat surface.... it lifts and drops down perfectly even.

If it is perfectly even when cutting, then you do not have it adjusted properly. It should slope upwards front to rear, at least 2-3 inches.