Tips for Choosing the Right Flail Mower for Your Property
Posted on: 28 March 2016
A flail mower is a type of heavy-duty mower that is meant to handle tall and thick weeds, brush, and other vegetation that cannot be handled by a standard lawnmower. A flail mower is usually wider than a standard mower, as it may be used to cut empty fields and vacant lots and is typically sold as a trailer attachment that you pull behind a tractor. If you need a flail mower for your property, note a few tips for choosing the right type.
Weight
When choosing a flail mower, you the need to consider its overall weight and the resistance when it mows and compare this to the towing capacity of your tractor. If you have a small tractor that isn't meant to pull anything more than a simple trailer and some bags of seed or sod, the flail mower may be too heavy and may put excess wear on the tractor. Check the towing capacity of your tractor first before choosing any model of flail mower.
Clearance
A six-foot wide flail mower may make quick work of cutting an open field, but note if you need to fit it through any obstacles on your property. If there is only a four-foot clearance between a shed and your property's fence, the flail mower will be too wide. Always note the clearance needed around any landscaping, trees, and outbuildings when choosing a flail mower.
Height adjustment
A good mower should always have a height adjustment feature, and a flail mower is no different. If you cut brush too low, this may encourage too much new growth, soil erosion, insect infestation, and the like. Even when cutting brush and vegetation in an open lot, you want to be able to adjust the cutting height to ensure the vegetation is not cut too closely while still cutting it low enough that you won't need to repeat the job too often.
Knife count
The blades of a flail mower are often called knives because of their thickness and shape, so note the knife count of a flail mower. Invest in a higher knife count for mulching so there is less bagging or cleanup needed after cutting a lot or field. A smaller knife count can be sufficient for property with thick grass, but choose the higher knife count for thicker vegetation so the mower can cut through it more quickly and the knives themselves don't get worn down from overuse.
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