How to choose a flail mower?

What is a flail mower?

A flail mower is a powered garden/agricultural device used to cut the heavy grass which a normal lawnmower could not cope with. Some smaller models are self-powered, but many are PTO-driven implements, which can be attached to the three-point hitches found on the rear of most tractors. This lawnmower is ideal for roughing up long grass and even brambles in areas such as roadsides where loose debris may come into contact.

Common uses of flail mowers

The first thing you need to remember is that all flail mowers have the same function: they cut what is on the surface to shred it and facilitate its absorption into the ground.

Flail mowers are not tillers, they are not able to cultivate the land!

Flail mowers are often used in a wide range of applications in the following ares.

• Cut the grass
• Cut pruning residues present on the ground (olive tree, vine, pear, apple tree)
• Cut vegetable residues (carrots, potatoes, tomatoes)
• Cut the stalks of tall trees (Corn, Sunflowers, Tobacco)
• Cutting wood residues (cotton)
• Cutting logs and stumps (trees)

Common Q&A :

1. Should i buy a standard or offset flail mower?

While similar in nature, there is one major difference between standard flail and offset flail mowers.

While standard flail mowers are designed to be centered behind the tractor, offset flail mowers can be placed off-center while being towed behind the tractor. This allows the operator to access hard-to-reach places.

As the mower is offset, the flails are able to extend further in a specific direction, clearing areas that hat are inaccessible to conventional machinery.

2. Should i buy a flail mower or Brush hog?

Each type of mower is different enough to suit different mowing conditions.

Brush hogs are better suited to large areas of overgrown grass than flail mowers. Brush hogs can handle the situation faster, albeit of lower quality. However, flail mowers are a better option in areas of overgrown brush and vines, and their design reduces the risk of injury from flying debris. Additionally, the flail mower has a better-quality cut and they can disperse the clippings more evenly.

Keep the above factors in mind when choosing the best mower!

3. The factors you need to consider when buying a mower?

• The type of terrain

This is the most important factor you need to consider!

Orchards or vineyards, for example, where the terrain is demanding require equipment that can bounce off immovable objects rather than catch and throw them, such as rotary mowers.

If the mower is used in hard-to-reach areas such as fence row maintenance, highway mowing, ponds and levees, you may need an offset flail mower.

• How big is your lawn?

Gardening can be an interest of many but fewer people answer the question “Is it a huge ranch that you need to mow down or you own a small piece of land?”

A small lawn can be easily managed with the help of a corded electric lawnmower. Having a lawn size that takes more than an hour of time gives you a choice between a push mower and a self-propelled model. Pushing is preferred by those who are keen to exercise at the same time they are mowing. The self-propelled mower is much more comfortable.

• What kind of grass is it?

Grass can be long and robust. The amount of power you need to clean it all will have a great impact on your buying decision. Grass that has been left for a long time and is lush and long obviously needs more power.

5. Should i replace the blade in time after buying a flail mower?

Blade replacement is required in the following cases.

• Uneven mowing height

You’ll notice that the grass that’s shortened using a blunt blade will have an uneven tip which deteriorates the whole lawn. So, if you are left with uneven height of grass, sharpen the blades.

• The blade becomes thinner and thinner

During the regular use of the blades for lawn cleaning and maintenance, soil, water, and chemical contact leads to erosion of steel and accumulation of debris on the surface. This prompts the user to keep it polished. During the sharpening process, the blade gets its edge back but significant loss of metal occurs on continuous sharpening. Check the thickness of blades and avoid fatal accidents such as sudden breakdown that could further harm the machine.

• Hitting a hard surface

Hitting a hard surface while low grass mowing or attacking thick grass without properly setting up the angle of cut. In case, you have a faulty mower, it’s time for a change.

Different types of regular mowers in the market

Rotary/Hover/Cylinder/Robot/ride-on mowers are common regular mowers. Different regular have their different applications. Each of them is designed to work best in specific situations.

Let me introduce these mowers one by one in brief:

Rotary mowers(Brush hog)

A rotary mower is a unit of powered machinery that uses a rotating blade or blades to cut vegetation.

Rotary mowers also known as brush hog, are designed similarly to household lawnmowers, but rotary mowers are bigger than household lawnmowers . They are best used to clear overgrown grass or brush, fast.

Rotary mowers use thick blades of sharpened metal to cut thick grass, heavy bushes, weeds and even small trees. Due to the high torque and power associated with the implement, shields made of hanging heavy chain or thick vinyl or rubber are often provided around the discharge chute to control flying debris.

Hover mowers

Hover mower works by creating a cushion of air between the lawnmower and the lawn. This cushion of air raises the lawnmower from the lawn, allowing the lawnmower blades to cut the grass.

Cylinder mowers

The first lawnmower invented was a cylinder mower. It, like many today, was hand driven. Cylinder lawnmowers have a series of blades fixed around a horizontal shaft that rotates at high speed to cut through the grass. As a general rule the more blades around the shaft, the better the cut. Most lawn mowers of this type have 5 or 6 blades.

With a cylinder mower, it is possible to set the blades very low to the ground to achieve a fine cut.

Robot mower

A robotic lawnmower is an autonomous robot used to cut lawn grass. A typical robotic lawn mower (in particular earlier generation models) requires the user to set up a border wire around the lawn that defines the area to be mowed. The robot uses this wire to locate the boundary of the area to be trimmed and in some cases to locate a recharging dock. Robotic mowers are capable of maintaining up to 30,000 m2 (320,000 sq ft) of grass.

Riding mower

Riding mowers, which sometimes resemble small tractors, are larger than push mowers and are suitable for large lawns, although commercial riding lawn mowers (such as zero-turn mowers) can be "stand-on" types, and often bear little resemblance to residential lawn tractors, being designed to mow large areas at high speed in the shortest time possible. The largest multi-gang (multi-blade) mowers are mounted on tractors and are designed for large expanses of grass such as golf courses and municipal parks, although they are ill-suited for complex terrain requiring maneuverability.

Choose Your Mower Now!

With a wide range of popular types in front of you, as well as professional advice, we want you to easily find the best equipment for your lawn, field or garden.

Beautify your lawn with the best lawn mowers. Happy Mowing!