Flail Mower sickle bar or flail mower for 1/2" brush/grass?

[Patk]

sickle bar or flail mower for 1/2\" brush/grass?

I've got some road-side grass and small brush (blackberry bushes creeping over) that I'd like to trim back. A brushhog alone would do for the stuff on the ground but I'd like to be able to beat back the high stuff as well....the bushes/branches at about 2-5 ft.

I was wondering if anyone has had experience using a sicklebar mower, angled up at about 70 degrees, to wade through tangled brush (grass mixed with salmon berry bushes...very similar to raspberry bushes). Will the sickle bar mower do OK in that type of brush or will it all get stuck/tangled and clogged on the bar?

The other (more expensive) solution I've been looking at is a boom mounted flail mower....a mini version of what the hiway crews use.

The main goal is to be able to drive down the edge of the dirt road mowing/trimming without having to back into the brush as you would using a brushhog.

Any suggestions/comment othewr than a flame thrower would be welcome.
Thanks

 

[kensfarm]

Re: sickle bar or flail mower for 1/2\" brush/grass?

The sicklebar would handle the brush okay.. but the trick would be holding the bar at a 70 degree angle. I believe Glenn was asking a question on Yesterday's tractor site about what angles are possible w/ just adjusting the unit itself.. I believe it came down to replacing the cable that angles the the bar w/ a hydralic cylinder.

 

[Darren]

Re: sickle bar or flail mower for 1/2\" brush/grass?

I've got a double action sickle bar that came with a hydraulic cylinder to adjust the angle. It does either ditch banks or uphill banks along roadways with ease. It'll chop any plant that will fit between the guards if you're not in a hurry. Just ease into the bush and watch it start shaking until it's sliced off. I've cut 3/4" stuff.

 

[edv]

Re: sickle bar or flail mower for 1/2\" brush/grass?

you will get bettetr results with a reach mower using either a flail head or special heavy duty sickle cutter designed for vines, grass, and small limbs... see www.vmc-mow.com for details. VMC-ORSI carries a complete line of speciality mowers for the cutting of vegetation.....edv