Mowers - Flail vs Disc

hardywolf

Having read the threads on pasture grass mowers, the choice seems to be for Disc mowers but I wonder if a flail is worth a look.

I want to cut the rough areas of horse pasture and I do have a finishing mower but it is not effective in the really long grass. I've seen new flails that seem to be cheaper than second hand disc mowers and wonder if its worth going in that direction as I don't need the grass for hay/silage etc, I just want it cut down and the flails seem to mulch it. Any opinions?

selectamatic

In the case of flail mowers, They're too hard to drive and too slow in my opinion.
Personally I'd have a convenational topper over anything else, cheap simple robust machines that are easily repairable.
trailed ones seem to give a nice tight cut too if that's what you're after.

Odelay

Semi off set topper will do fine for that. Used then on horse paddocks, does a grand job, simple to hitch up and very robust. They are good value new.

hardywolf

Thanks for response, but I do have a finishing mower and it doesn't work on the really rough grass, are you sure a topper will do it? How is the cutting action different on a topper to a mower ( essentially mine has 3 large lawnmower blades)

Odelay

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fMZ9H48m_dA

Would it be any heavier that that? That is an extreme but it shows what can be cut, even if it isn't doing a great job at mulching it as the rushes are too heavy.

A topper is a 6 foot bar with a flail at either end. The flail can swivel back out of the way if crop if too heavy. It travels at "fook me, won't do that again" speed when I had a look under mine to see how fast it turns while tractor was idling. It supprised me the speed and momentum it has on idle, revved up it must be ferocious.
It will cut through briars easily and also 2-3 foot high hawthorns, just take your time.

jimini0

Odelay wrote: »

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fMZ9H48m_dA

Would it be any heavier that that? That is an extreme but it shows what can be cut, even if it isn't doing a great job at mulching it as the rushes are too heavy.

A topper is a 6 foot bar with a flail at either end. The flail can swivel back out of the way if crop if too heavy. It travels at "fook me, won't do that again" speed when I had a look under mine to see how fast it turns while tractor was idling. It supprised me the speed and momentum it has on idle, revved up it must be ferocious.
It will cut through briars easily and also 2-3 foot high hawthorns, just take your time.

I have one of those toppers mine is 5 foot. Its enclosed at the back so the grass and rushes stay inside for longer so get mulched. The big wheel at the back is great for rough ground it travels with the bumps. You need to keep the blades sharp. Its a monster on rushes and briars.

J.O. Farmer

jimini0 wrote: »

You need to keep the blades sharp. Its a monster on rushes and briars.

This would apply to the finishing mower too. OP have you tried sharpening the blades to see if it does any better.

Mooooo

Would many places hire out flail mowers/mulchers.?

hardywolf

No it's not as heavy as that jimini0, I didn't know the topper had a flail effect on its blades and I think I'll take a closer look at one.