Rotary Cutter Whats the difference between Flail & Rotary cutter

[19977]

Besides the obvious ,appearance.I'll be needing something next summer to cut a few lots,mostly grass and thick weeds 6"-15" and on occasion small saplings. 1"-2" & fairly level ground.I was thinking of an MX6,but don't know anything about a Flail.My tractor is a JD 4520

Thanks Mike

 

[Bird]

Mike, you can go to Google.com and enter "flail mowers" and find lots of information. Landpride is just one of many you can read about. I've seen, but never used a flail mower, so others on the forum can give you more information, but the way I see it is:

Advantages: doesn't stick out as far behind the tractor, less windrowing of cuttings; i.e., more mulching and more even distribution, less likely to kick or throw objects that might hit and/or damage something else, maybe a cleaner, smoother cut.

Disadvantages: Costs more, may require more tractor hp for the same width of mower, can't cut heavy brush (really large saplings), more maintenance.

 

[gabby]

I have a 7 foot Bush Hog brand flail mower that I pull with a Ford 3000 which is 36 pto hp. It works fine in short grass that's mowed regularly and it doesn't pull a lot of hp. It does not work very well in thick grass or tall grass. It definitely won't cut saplings.
Gabby

 

[RalphVa]

Flail mowers are basically drums with cutter blades on them. You can put different cutter blades on them to cut grass or saplings.

My 12 hp Gravely was offered with a 30 or 32" flail mower vs. up to a 50" mower deck. I use mine with a 30" bush hog and almost never bog it down.

JD has flail mowers, starting with the 4410 tractor. They don't make smaller ones for tractors like my JD 4010, which ought to be able to run a 40" or so flail. Have to watch the weight on this stuff, too, to be able to drag them back up a hill.

Ralph

 

[Panache]

My JD 25A will definatly cut saplings up to about 3/4". Bigger than that and it just removes all leaves and smaller branches. Later cuts will take it all the way to the ground. I disagree about maintenance. I have had mine for 10+ years and have only had to replace the cutters once. Cost <$150 and about 2 hrs time. Also there are 2 different rotations. Most cut the clippings over and over, the 25A only cuts once. In heavy grass this will make a difference. I cut 15" Bahia down to 3" in one pass.

 

[19977]

Thanks everybody,I did get some good information off the internet.I believe I'll stick with my original idea and stay with the rotary mower.Only because of the verity of things I'll be getting into on my lots.I must also say that the Flail cutter does give you a real nice cut.I guess in a few years I might invest in one.

Thanks Mike