Flail Mowers

[HenryFan]

I have become interested in the purchase of a flail mower, particularly one that can be pulled behind an ATV rather than a tractor mounted device. I bought a Polaris ATV during the summer, so I am covered on the tow vehicle.

My reason is because I manage a number of food plots on two separate tracts and since I have to transport equipment from my home to the food plots, I don't go frequently. During the off-season months, the grass gets quite thick and when I mow the food plots in late summer in preparation for planting, the rotary cutter leaves windrows and mats of vegetation which can be difficult to chop up, even with a disc harrow. I think a flail mower to mulch the cuttings will save time and a couple of the more inaccessible plots will become more accessible using an ATV/tow behind flail mower.

My question is this: Does anyone have experience with such a combination? Any suggestions or recommendations on brand(s)? I have some months until the purchase must be made so is there a "good" time to buy?

[BrokenolMarine]

The only thing I can say is WE considered one for the pastures now that we have gotten rid of all the livestock. The pastor behind us told us that his son has one and he likes it, and he hates it. He says he is always having to replace teeth on the flail as the Oklahoma land is NOT nice to the teeth on the flail. The clay turns to concrete in the 100 plus degree summer heat, plus the soil bleeds rock. The teeth are NOT cheap. He didn't say replacing them was a hard task, however, just a PITA to keep having to do it.

When you look at the mower, ask about parts and specifically the teeth, and perhaps read some forums in your area and ask if there are problems with teeth breaking. We decided to stick with the bush hog, and maybe later buy a decent finish mower for the fields.

[HenryFan]

BrokenolMarine -

I think you are right about replacement costs for teeth but my use of it would be limited to a couple of times a year and limited on total run hours per year. May be wishful thinking on my part. Although I am constantly removing rocks from the food plots, it seems there is a fresh crop each year.

Also, a flail mower which can be pulled behind an ATV would require engine maintenance but I can do that myself.

[rickhem]

I'm also investigating a flail mower. In my area, all of the maintenance done along the highways is done with these, and the finished product looks pretty good, not piles of matted grass like I get with my brush hog. A younger guy I know near me said I should have just bought a finish mower if all I'm doing is maintaining trails and cutting paths around the edges of the fields. He said he also sharpens the blades on his brush hog, which I'm learning is a controversial subject. The flail mowers seem to run about double what the rotary cutters cost, and you don't find them for sale used very often, which tells me something.
My gut tells me that this is another case where a "do-all" piece of equipment is good to get you going, but eventually you need the proper tool for the specific job you want to do. Now that I have what I have, and have been using it, I think flail mower may have been a better option.

[Steve51]

I have a flail mower that I use with a compact tractor. The one I bought has the hammer blades that handle brush and rocks better than the Y blades. Mine works really well for mowing pasture and food plot area next to woods. I don't have to worry about picking up small limbs and I can mow through brush areas with small saplings without problems. I purchased an entire set of replacement blades at a discount when I bought my mower. Mine also handles the garden sweet corns stalks better than any mower I have ever had.

I have never seen a flail mower that can be pulled with an ATV. I assume it has its own engine, since my flail mower is powered by the tractor PTO.

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[DsGrouse]

I've wanted one for years. I have an old brush hog, but it is not the best at what I need to do. A flail mower has been out of my price range for a while. I just saw kubota.ca has very good financing.

https://kubota.ca/products/SE3000-Series

Which sucks, because I am not in Canada.

I've jonesed for a 72 inch hammer flail...
sigh...

https://www.landpride.com/products/910/ ... ail-mowers

[Steve51]

Mine is only a 53" cut and my compact tractor has 18 HP at the PTO but so far I have never got into anything that bogged the engine down.
Pretty sure mine is made in China. I got it from Betstco company in Oregon. The brand is Farmers Helper. I have had mine for 4 years and have had no issues to date.

[The Happy Kaboomer]

IF......You run a rotary cutter/ bush hog low & slow at a HIGH rpm it mulches pretty good. Flail mowers need constant teeth replacement.

[HenryFan]

Teeth replacement costs are probably my biggest concern about going forward with a flail mower purchase.