Any BX owners have a flail mower? Just looking for information on how well it cuts grass. Have used one years ago when I was with MnDot cutting grass on the sides of the highways so know how they function. Just getting tired of removing my deck for winter duties. Have been looking at different models and cost but have no idea who is a good brand to go with if I decide to get one. Getting to old to crawl around on the floor to remove my deck. Appreciate any comments.
Flail mowers on a BX
- Thread starter Bearcatrp
- Start date
A flail mower is not a finish mower, and you'll have run over the grass with the tractor tires twice before mowing, but they work.
I have hammer flails, you'd want the Y-flails, but what you probably want to look into is a 3-point finish mower made in the U.S. (I've worked on Land-Pride equipment and in my opinion the money is better spent on domestic products).
I have hammer flails, you'd want the Y-flails, but what you probably want to look into is a 3-point finish mower made in the U.S. (I've worked on Land-Pride equipment and in my opinion the money is better spent on domestic products).
Elliott in GA
Well-known member
Equipment
LX 2610SU w/535,LP RCR1860,FDR1660,SGC0554,FSP500, DD BBX60005
You also may want to consider a rear discharge 3 pt. finish mower; it might be less expensive for the same or better cut (presuming that you are mowing your lawn (which is what your mower deck is usually used for) versus an overgrown field.
I have a Land Pride rotary cutter and a Land Pride finish mower (rear discharge - 60 inch), and it cuts like a lawn mower. It is Quick Hitch compatible - easy on/off. It also is quiet and fully supported by four wheels. The Chinese imports start around $1,500 for a 48 inch mower, and the USA made mowers start around $3,000.
One last thing, I have been surprised by how well my rotary cutter cuts my well kept field even with blades that have some wear and tear from reclaiming several fields (full of tractor hood high weeds, lots of small privet, 8 foot high multiflora rose hedges and the expected rocks, fallen limbs and etc.).
I have a Land Pride rotary cutter and a Land Pride finish mower (rear discharge - 60 inch), and it cuts like a lawn mower. It is Quick Hitch compatible - easy on/off. It also is quiet and fully supported by four wheels. The Chinese imports start around $1,500 for a 48 inch mower, and the USA made mowers start around $3,000.
One last thing, I have been surprised by how well my rotary cutter cuts my well kept field even with blades that have some wear and tear from reclaiming several fields (full of tractor hood high weeds, lots of small privet, 8 foot high multiflora rose hedges and the expected rocks, fallen limbs and etc.).
As mentioned a flail mower is not a finish mower. I think he was insinuating a flail will leave a cut not comparable to a finish mower, not sure, only guessing.
My experience is a flail mower ( have "Y" flails on mine) and I can cut grass/weeds etc. and when run over one time it looks like it was cut with a Lawn boy push mower. I have a 5', 6' and 7'. bought them all used, but they are fairly simple to work on. If flails are in good condition, gearbox and belts work, it'll cut. Here's the 5 footer.
My experience is a flail mower ( have "Y" flails on mine) and I can cut grass/weeds etc. and when run over one time it looks like it was cut with a Lawn boy push mower. I have a 5', 6' and 7'. bought them all used, but they are fairly simple to work on. If flails are in good condition, gearbox and belts work, it'll cut. Here's the 5 footer.
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Would think if going slow enough, the cut would be fairly similar to a belly mower, but don't know. Something to ponder while I research a bit more. If I do decide to get one, what is a good brand? This one isn't to bad for the price but I believe this is china stuff.
mechmaxx.com
48'' Light-duty Flail Mower 3 Point 15-35HP , PTO Driven, EFS48
Mechmaxx-48'' Standard Duty Flail Mower 3 Point 15-35hp EFS48.It can save time and economically cut plants in larger areas.The attachment has a flail hammer to help the mower push through dense debris.The included PTO drive shaft easily connects to your tractor and the belt drive allows for...
mechmaxx.com
Elliott in GA
Well-known member
Equipment
LX 2610SU w/535,LP RCR1860,FDR1660,SGC0554,FSP500, DD BBX60005
Del Morino flails have a good reputation.
Del Morino Funny Top Series | Messick's
Del Morino Funny Top Flail Mowers are versatile and nimble solutions for maintaining your land. Browse our selection and find the right model for your needs.
messicks.com
Elliott in GA
Well-known member
Equipment
LX 2610SU w/535,LP RCR1860,FDR1660,SGC0554,FSP500, DD BBX60005
Italy - many of the smaller, high quality flails are made in Europe.
Again, a 3 pt. finish mower will do anything and more (rear discharge) that your mower deck can do. Also, much less complex (easy to work on) and simple to use (set height and drag around).
Good luck with your search.
I have a finish mower for my front lawn (to keep it pretty) and a flail mower with hammers not Y blades for my fields out back (to keep it cut).
Even with the hammers the flail does a decent job, but it ain't no finish mower. The thing I like about it cutting tall grass is that it mulches.
No experience with Y blades, so I can't compare them to a finish mower.
Even with the hammers the flail does a decent job, but it ain't no finish mower. The thing I like about it cutting tall grass is that it mulches.
No experience with Y blades, so I can't compare them to a finish mower.
What I have noticed (you mentioned cutting tall grass is that it mulches) when I cut with the flail the cows will be right in there eating even if there was a fair amount of weeds. It's like birds working a field that is being plowed. I think it is because everything is chopped up and mixed together.
Elliott in GA
Well-known member
Equipment
LX 2610SU w/535,LP RCR1860,FDR1660,SGC0554,FSP500, DD BBX60005
I have noticed cows feeding directly after mowing with both rotary cutter and finish mower. They seem to like the chopped grass and weeds, and they also have better access to the tender grass near the ground.
Cows are lazy. It is a good thing; it makes them tender.
Cows are lazy. It is a good thing; it makes them tender.
If you were a cow ... Which side of this fence would you rather be eating on?
Left side has lots of stuff to poke you in the eyes and nose ... Neighbor brush hogged it last year, but the stuff they don't/cant eat grows up, especially the stickers!
Left side has lots of stuff to poke you in the eyes and nose ... Neighbor brush hogged it last year, but the stuff they don't/cant eat grows up, especially the stickers!
Man, I thought I had a large lawn to mow. 
You know what they say...the grass is always greener...
You know what they say...the grass is always greener...
That's not the half of it ... Standing down on the other side of the brush pile ...
Looking from the top left of the last picture back down ... My back boundary fence is the purple line ...
Out front ...
And the side field ...
It's the reason I bought the L5030 and the FDR 3690 90" finish mower, 14 acres takes a long time to mow with tiny bumpy SCUT tires!
The grass has been growing now that we got some rain, hoping for at least one more cut with it this year, the last mowing I was only cutting off maybe 5"-6" which was thin and spotty, cutting at 5.5" high ...
Looked like this last week when I was home ... This is standing just inside my gate, my pickup is lined up with the driveway, I park my semi-truck trailer in the space to the left when I bring it home ... The gate is 80' from the road ...
Looking from the top left of the last picture back down ... My back boundary fence is the purple line ...
Out front ...
And the side field ...
It's the reason I bought the L5030 and the FDR 3690 90" finish mower, 14 acres takes a long time to mow with tiny bumpy SCUT tires!
The grass has been growing now that we got some rain, hoping for at least one more cut with it this year, the last mowing I was only cutting off maybe 5"-6" which was thin and spotty, cutting at 5.5" high ...
Looked like this last week when I was home ... This is standing just inside my gate, my pickup is lined up with the driveway, I park my semi-truck trailer in the space to the left when I bring it home ... The gate is 80' from the road ...
Holly molly...that must take days to mow.
I'd think about renting the some of the field to the nearest farmer for hay or silage.
Nice place though!
I'd think about renting the some of the field to the nearest farmer for hay or silage.
Nice place though!