459 Bush Hog, Flail or Finish Mower? Kubota LX2610 Compact Tractor. FDR1660 Finish Mower.

Mowing my neighbour's field today with the LandPride FDR1660 Finish Mower mounted on my Kubota LX2610 Compact Tractor. This is not the right mower for this property but let's see the results. Cheers!
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[@markboettcher9443]

Back in the 70’s we used dads 12 hp simplicity 48” mower to mow anything including brush as big as his thumb! Worked fine. Then mow the lawn. Sharpened the blades every year or two. Beautiful machine. Haven’t made them that good since.

[@tlm3574]

We used the brush cutter but rammed a sharpened steel post into the rear tire(ruined) and our neighbor caught a hunk of wire in the eye (lost it). Mowing near buildings and subdivisions I decided the finish(REAR DISCHARGE) was the best choice for me. (Owned 5). Your video was well done and fun to watch

[@tlm3574]

You did the right choice. Finish mowers will mow anything you should drive over with a compact tractor. I've had all three and if I could have my choice it would be finish.

[@20GeneStarwind20]

I mowed some tall stuff with my belly mower on my BX it worked gust had to start height and go over it few times.

[@jh9855]

Hello GP. Nice video on mowing with a finish mower. It has been bloody hot and humid here in southern Maine. Can't wait for winter. Be safe.

[@GPOutdoors]

Hi Jean. Yes here too - for some time. Terrible for sleeping but hopefully it will cool down for us soon. Stay safe and cool!

[@brianwestveer9532]

Thanks Gord

[@elasgardenvegetables]

Great video. I debated as well when I bought mine but ended up with a brush cut. I can cut grass really nice on my trails but also like the versatility of cutting bigger brush. Unless your cutting 2-3” lawn a brush cutter does nice job and less maintenance, no belts, wheels and can also cut that heavy brush when needed if you let things grow up. I have a zero turn for my finished lawn

[@4x4Moses]

I sold my rotary cutter, and got a finish mower. I use it to maintain the roadside, off-lawn grassy areas, and grassy trails. It's awesome! But I do want a flail mower, too!

[@stevesedgwick5789]

I like flail movers because they cut most everything and mulch.

[@tomfillmore9710]

Good video Gord field looks great and I am sure Guy has a nice cold one for you glass of water lol take care have a good weekend

[@GPOutdoors]

:)) Cheers - you too Tom!

[@MyClutteredGarage]

Agree 100% GP. I’ve had a Bush hog but never a flail mower. I really think a flail would be the best for what you’re doing there. And really think it would fit my needs better than the finish mower that I also have. But, like you, I use what I have.

[@GPOutdoors]

Morning Ed! Yup, it works well for my small lawn area but I think a flail would fit the ticket for Guy - he has alot of fields. Hope you are staying safe and well!

[@genevee6540]

Good video again GP! And educational as usually.

[@GPOutdoors]

Thanks Gene!

[@bhall7997]

Looks good to me, no wind rows like my B2601 MMM would leave. I would just mow more often :)

[@GPOutdoors]

Thanks B! Cheers!

[@jimconnor8274]

B that's the answer to finish mower look!

[@jimputnam2044]

In a spot like that go the opposite direction each time helps also.

[@ernestkooistra1559]

Very helpful. Cheers!

[@motor2of7]

I use a finish mower on the meadow and a flail mower on the back country stuff. We brushed about 18 acres a few years back and there are lots on small branches and twigs in the ground. The flail mower mulches them up pretty good.

[@HuserHelpers]

The finish looks good to me for your first pass. Wait for a couple days then hit it again. Thanks for the show and sorry I've been away for awhile. Best Regards. Jason

[@anthonysaucier2919]

Definitely the flailmower would do the best job.

[@peacefieldfarm_mn]

I think the operating temperature went up because to your radiator screens were restricting air flow. Not so much your choice of medium vs. low range. Stay cool! Cheers!

[@GPOutdoors]

Thanks Michael! You're probably right. Have a great weekend!

[@donbrutcher4501]

I do about 6 acres of 'country lawn' with a 60" 35 hp BadBoy zero turn. I set the deck height at about 4" so I'm not mulching rocks. Takes me a bit over 2 hours. I've cut 4 ft hay by setting the deck at full height 6". Works for me.

[@stephenrhodesianridgeback7418]

My neighbour got his new flail mower from Keith’s at farmers equipment last week . He has 114 acres too deal with . He’s just a going now . Beautiful quality heavy duty piece of equipment . 👍👍 For his property the flail was the way too go. Does not take long too plug the screens on the rad in this weather . Good advice 👍

[@GPOutdoors]

Morning Ridgeback! That's great to hear. I imagine he put the hammers on it? They work well for sure. Glad he is happy with it. Take good care!

[@stephenrhodesianridgeback7418]

@@GPOutdoors . Good morning Gord . He got the heavy duty y blades like mine . It cleans house and takes out up too three inch branches . It mulches the heavy grass and vines and branches like nothing . Very impressive . I’m jealous now . It’s heavier duty then mine . I’m thinking on getting the new hydraulic manipulating one that farmers sells . I’m going too get my neighbour set up with a hydraulic top link next . 👍

[@jamesberg3106]

Rock on GP

[@GPOutdoors]

:))

[@CapeAnnImages]

Interesting! I noticed you move right along while mowing. I run about half that speed in my little Cub Cadet XT1 with a 42" deck. My lawn never looked so good probably due to the wet Summer we've had. In the winter I use it to also plow my front yard so the dog has an easy time to "go". With that the lawn gets abused in spots and I planted grass seed in the early Spring. And thanks for the reminder, I need to check the air filter! Best Regards, Jay

[@GPOutdoors]

LOL! Morning Jay. Yup, me too . If I leave the grass too long, the dogs start using the patio. :)) Have a good one!

[@richbissonnette301]

In the process of buying some land, 17 acres, 7 field and 10wooded. I’ve been watching your channel for a couple years and have learned A LOT! I think I will be going with the Kubota LX3310 with a flail mower, bucket, grapple and snow plow.

[@GPOutdoors]

Hey congratulations Rich! Very exciting time for you and your family. Sounds like you have a great line-up!

[@rdvgraaff]

I have the exact same finish mower and my lawn looks like a fairway when I'm done. I use a bush hog on our pasture where we keep the horses and it does a good job. It's the 4 footer from Tractor Supply and it's more than good enough. It takes whatever I throw at it really well. The finish mower mows around the house and never the pasture. I run the bush hog when I let grass grow out around the house and then the finish mower. Literally for the finish. From the video you may have your finish mower set a bit high. I can't complain about my Landpride finish mower.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Good day eh!! Some hot weather eh GP!!! The finish mower does a nice job on a lawn. For fields, I agree with you, it's not what you need. I think a flail mower is by far the most flexible for all the various terrain options you could be faced with. It can do lawns, heavy unmowed fields and overgrown pastures as well. Take care and stay cool!!!

[@chadfield376]

Good review, I have about 2.5 acres of mixed pasture grass/weeds and though it would prob be better for a brush hog, my plan is to use a 5ft finish mower behind my 1955 Ferguson TO35 tractor. Mowed the same area with my 44in cut Snapper zero turn and it took forever due to having to go so slow between how rough ground was and cutting deck trying to chop down 2ft plus weeds/grass mixture.

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Good morning Gord, thanks for the good information on the different mowers for the tractor. Got to really appreciate the cab and air conditioner in this weather. You did alright with the equipment today and it looks great, thanks for sharing with us. Fred. Stay safe and watch out for icy conditions in Guy’s shop. 🙏🏻🙏🏻👍👍👏🏻👏🏻👋👋

[@andydsimmons]

Nice

[@ericcraver4908]

I have a new woods rd72 behind L2501. Thicker stuff, go max speed in low(hst) would trim that stuff up perfectly. Looked like we were going to fast.

[@JohnSmith-tv5ep]

GP! ice machine? Guy makin 'Snow cones' ! Definitely could enjoy one on a day like that, just never liked the paper cups they came in! Lol

[@GPOutdoors]

LOL! Cheers John!

[@tomoaktree4951]

Hi GP, For what you were mowing in this video, the finish mower should be fine, assuming the grass isn't quite so high. If it is really tall, mow it once, wait a day, and then mow it again for a great look. A rotary brush cutter will mow it with fairly good results and it won't care how tall it is, but there will be some clumping of the cut grass. It's great for cutting anything down. It just won't be a pretty finish. A flail mower will cut anything as well with almost no clumping, however, really tall stuff may just get folded over unless the mower is set low. Another question for selection is what kind of finish is desired. If you want it to look like a golf course green, then definitely a finish mower, and mow it much more frequently. A rotary brush cutter is nice for backing under things, as it sticks out so far back, which has both pluses and minuses.

[@tlm3574]

Nice tractor.

[@watershedoverlook]

Agree with all your sentiments Gordon. My only observation is that when I'm confronted with overly tall grass on my ZTR (home) or Deere GT235 (Overlook) I just slow down. It makes a huge difference in cut quality. It looks like you're moving along at a pretty good clip but always hard to tell on video. Also, you ARE cutting a field and not a manicured lawn, so....looks good to me!!! Cheers my friend. 👍😎

[@PaleHorseOutdoors]

I used to tell my soldiers that when I say I need a hole dug by 1600 hours, I don't care if they use a shovel or a hand grenade - just get it done. Like someone else said, unless you're grooming it for golf, the "how" isn't that important. If the implement can handle the job use it. Thanks for sharing, Gord! - David

[@MDR-hn2yz]

I mow that kind of area with my brush hog. Does a nice job of it. The only time I have over heated my Kubota BX is in the spring mud when I am cutting firewood. If I get into that clay mud, I will overheat quick.

[@jimconnor8274]

Good morning GP, may have waited a bit to long for first cutting. Fail won't cut any better at that ground speed. Your finish mower does a good job. If you mowed more often you'd have beter finished look. Try low range so you're not always crowding the tractors power.

[@briannelson4493]

GP a flail mower would be a good fit, but using what you have, I would drive about 2 mph it’ll take longer but you will be happy with the results. So will your neighbor , it’s interesting to see how your mower dances.

[@philu782]

Flail mower is the way to go.... I wish I studied my options better some years ago as I ended up buying a finish mower. I have more hills, so it's always tricky to be driving on the "edge"...but that's another story. So what I do is pass a second time with the mower a nudge lower...result is really nice ! Cheers Phil

[@bubbagump4686]

........ hes make'n snow cones....... LOL !

[@GPOutdoors]

LOL!

[@dougdavis4439]

Good morning GP! I do the same with my finish mower unfortunately. Would be nice to have a flail mower for sure. Have a great one! Cheers!

[@GPOutdoors]

Cheers Doug!

[@HectareHomesteader]

Thank you for making this video. We are in the market for a finish mower for our L3800 and found your video extremely helpful. Thank you. Also been enjoying your channel for a while. You convinced me to get a set of pallet forks too 😎. Please keep up the good work. Cheers.

[@dgsports69]

I would have started with the mower adjusted at a higher height cut the field and then adjust to the lower settings to finish the job. Would have also been easier cutting for the tractor then.

[@donmcconnery5080]

I cut a lot of grass every week Gord and in my opinion, you have the right mower for your property. I use a Ferris zero turn and a bush hog triple deck finishing mower behind a Kubota L3950 for the grassy areas. A 72" bush hog for the wilder areas and in Alberta at the hunting lodge we use a flail mower on a skid steer to maintain the trails. I think what you are using is perfect and you just need to mow more often and maybe adjust your speed

[@dhache1195]

Good day to you GP; for ''grass'' cutting, your finish mower (as mine for my 4 acres of grass) is the one to use. For the field, as Guy's field but larger, I do use/prefer a Brush Hog (cut as well, wider=quicker for my field). Suggestion; to reduce maneuvers (back and forth and, above all, sharp turns who put lot of wear on steering component) I mow my field on a ''Zamboni pattern'' and keep the finish around trees for the end. Thank you for your videos. Be well

[@phillip.9524]

I have a 72 inch finishing mower and a 4’6” slasher/ brush hog I made 30 years ago it is heavy duty. Depending on the growth of the paddocks /fields I will select which to use I recently did about 5 acres/ 2 hectares with the finishing mower about 6 hours using my L3250 on a low cut and much slower than your speed. Slowing down and dropping your height when cutting that light dry grass will give a far better cut .

[@johnminke4542]

Maybe slow down a little and keep the blades sharp .... looks like the ground is rough.

[@skeets6060]

Low range and go slower,, trust me that works better than running to fast I ran one off the yellow tractor and slow works, with wild roses wild grape vines and most everything that got in its way. OH and sharp blade help a bunch !

[@dwayneloftice2326]

I was glad to see your video demonstrating the grooming mower. I fully expected something better. Maybe it was your ground speed or your conditions, or, a combination of both. Regardless, I think I have decided that a flail mower would be my choice. Knives for fine cutting and hammers for thicker, taller stuff. Oh....the decisions, decisions....and the cash register says once again, "Cah-ching, Cah-ching"!

[@GPOutdoors]

Morning Dwayne. So true...$$. And choices. Good luck!

[@tlm3574]

Try a Rhino 5 or 6 cut and they pull so easy and will mow about any grass. If there's brush in it hire a brusher and you won't tear up YOUR tractor. (Just a friendly idea).

[@H0WL1TZER]

Speed is fine, it's been so dry the last few weeks the grass just isn't cutting well. Thanks for the vid GP

[@m2autoworks]

I would think that if you just slowed down a little you would get a better cut.

[@stargate565]

I agree with some of these comments your doing something wrong. First of all slow down and I would also check to see if your blades are sharp. I have the exact same finish mower and it does a great job and I mowed grass a lot higher then what you did.

[@GPOutdoors]

Thanks Stargate. Blades are nice and sharp but yes, could have slowed it down I think. Thanks again!

[@mikeszwec9551]

In my opinion I’d say a bush hog, but that’s my opinion. I just bought mine this spring a already put a good size dent in it. Honestly I was pretty upset but all the guys at work told me that a bush hog is going to get dented up. Love the videos!

[@GPOutdoors]

Good day Mike. I remember the same feeling a while back. It's hard to see it get dented but I think they are right - it's taking on some tough stuff in your fields and trails. Take care!

[@deanbarr5740]

Great comparison GP. I remember when you demo'd the Flail Mower. I don't have one either as I own 13 acres and my property is much too steep for even a finish mower. I only have about 1.5 acres that I mow. If i had it to do over I probably would gotten the Flail. I noticed most Big Box Stores the Flail and the Finish are about the same price. Good video buddy.

[@GPOutdoors]

Thanks kindly Dean! I think Guy needs a Flail for sure. The finish mower is fine for my small front lawn but the flail works great I think for property like his. Take care!

[@deanbarr5740]

You betcha, cheers my friend

[@hornett22]

I'd have gotten a 72" finish mower.

[@tonygreen1067]

What about your zero turn mower

[@GPOutdoors]

Morning Tony. It was on loan last year so had to go back. But it was a great mower for sure. Cheers!

[@ctskidoo]

I think I'd go flail for that

[@ruyguy8888]

GP. I don't belive you need to invest in anything different from what you have. A flail mower will leave a better, finer cut with grass flails on it, but unless your playing a back nine on that property, then your finish mower set at the height it was here will do just fine. You don't seem to have fence posts, rocks that can't be avoided, roots sticking up in around that area, nor is it uneven pasture grass so i can't see the investment needed for a rotary cutter either.

[@GPOutdoors]

Morning RG8! That's a good point... plus I would have rather been swinging them straight and long. LOL! Cheers and all the best!

[@stephenayer8255]

What’s to stop the “professional homeowner” from making a second or third pass to get the the finish you desire?

[@GPOutdoors]

Great question Stephen. Time. 125 acres of land and lots of other chores. I could cut it more often but lots of other things to do in the meantime. But good question my friend!

[@stephenayer8255]

@@GPOutdoors Of course the dreaded only 24 hours in a day….maybe that’s the justification for a flail mower! Maybe you could go the way of our fabulous National Capital Commission here in Ottawa where along the parkways the noxious weeds flourish and they bush hog once a year to keep the brush at bay!

[@jim9178]

Hey GP. Your finish might be better if you lowered the mower I always mow in low range. I mow about 5 acres and I use it as brush hog occasionally.

[@rockandrattleretreat5830]

As long as your not having to go through saplings your mower should work fine, just go a little slower. There are other mowers available that would go through sapling and brush, sickle bar mower. I use a sickle bar mower to take care of the brush and saplings along side the road, because it can reach out from the road and go up or down embankments.

[@roberttailspin6330]

I've found that something like a flail mower might be best when 'probing' a field/pasture/lot that's unknown to the operator, or the initial reduction of heavy growth. Once a field/pasture/lot has been cleared of sufficient overgrowth, it may be that a finishing mower may be appropriate for subsequent cuttings. The thing is, that over time, regular maintenance of a field/pasture/lot can improve the conditions that you were initially faced with, so that what was once the most appropriate tool, might not stay the best too over time. The opposite can be true for fields that were once easily maintained with a finishing mower, but were left to grow wild for an extended period.

[@PaleHorseOutdoors]

Very good points. Although I wish I had bought a flail mower originally, now that my trails are cut and in maintenance mode I don't know how much I'd really need it later on.

[@roberttailspin6330]

@@PaleHorseOutdoors With rural properties, I've found that in many cases, previous owners have often left stone and/or refuse piles, that over time have become out of control due to overgrowth. Sometimes you can use a flail to knock down enough underbrush to assess and correct, while sometimes it's necessary to bring in an excavator. Once the beast has been tamed, the area can often be serviced with some other piece of equipment.

[@MichaelPMc]

Having both a lawn and pastures when I bought my B2601 I bought both a brush hog and finish mower. Flail mowers are too expensive. if you lift the front of the finish mower it can mow longer grass but I think it stresses it. Bush hog finish not as nice but if the tractor can drive over it the bush hog will cut her down.

[@RagsdaleCreek]

Mowing way to fast with that finish mower. Keep doing that and mower and belts will not last as long as it should. Love your videos GOD bless and take care!

[@GPOutdoors]

Thanks for the good feedback RCW! All the best!

[@colbiecolbie6979]

Slow down a bit , whats the rush ?

[@GPOutdoors]

LOL! :))) Guy had the ice maker on.....

[@phild9813]

I think you could get away with a flail mower or what you have already, but mowing a finished lawn with a brush mower wouldn’t be all that good.

[@bwillan]

I suspect your finish mower would do a good job if you cut that field when it got to 6 inches.

[@GPOutdoors]

Morning B! For sure, it does when I get to it at a more reasonable height but just tough to find the time to cut it more often. That was one of three fields out there. Thanks and have a good weekend!

[@franknabywaniec1438]

I just got a fdr 1672 with High letf ,does grate. Ordered Gator blades for it, Have you tried them?

[@GPOutdoors]

Hi Frank. Good to hear - mine does great on my regular lawn and grass. I have not tried the gators but it would be great if you can let me know how you like them. Cheers!

[@edwardbarker6281]

It seems to me you would get a better cut if you lowered your speed and gave your blades more of a chance to cut. I think you would be able to do a decent job with that mower if you cut slower and more often.

[@GPOutdoors]

Morning Edward. Some good points - thanks!

[@celinel2344]

Your cutting blades are too high and you run too fast,, you should use à finishing mower for that kind of job,.havé à good day.

[@johnevans6053]

A bush hog would give you a similar cut to what your finish mower did for you. A flail mower will also give you a similar cut to what the finish mower did for you if you set it at a 4 in depth. Flails work best set at approx. 1 in. So unless you have a lot of saplings, save your money and stick with the finish mower. If you do have a lot of saplings, get a weedwhacker with a saw blade and do some hand work before mowing. For what it is worth, this has been my experience. Good video !!!

[@andyrobinson339]

I agree that a flail mower would be optimal. I have a Kuhn BNE 210 6' mower that does a beautiful job in thick pasture grass and weeds. But they are expensive and for your purposes I would stick with what you have and maybe hit that field a few times a season and be done with it. It's not like you are trying to create a beautiful lawn...after all it's a field and who cares if it's not perfectly manicured. Save your money and use it elsewhere!

[@otisbailey5455]

Believe you would have a better result is you slow your ground speed.

[@ba00173]

Hello Gord, great topic! I would slow down a bit to let the finish mower do its job in this kind of environment. I think this will give it time to properly cut whatever is under it (accordingly to what I saw in your video). She is more delicate than her big sisters, the flail and the bush hog… 😉 Just my way of seeing things. Cheers ! YVES from Boisbriand, Quebec, Canada

[@GPOutdoors]

Good day Yves! A good idea - thanks! Hope you are enjoying the weather!

[@markmccoy1304]

I’m looking at a Titan 6’ finish mower for my 40 hp LS. It costs $2,400. Is that a good move? Comments are welcome.

[@dwoodog]

At the end of the day only 2 choices, throw $$$ at the problem, or just work with what you got........or the option 2B work with what you got and grumble under your breath a lot. LOL!!!!

[@garybenedict8513]

GP cutting that field more often would give you a better cut Work safe my man.

[@GPOutdoors]

I agree Gary! Just the time it takes I think makes it more challenging to get to it more often. Thanks!

[@retiredairforce5111]

GP, I know you have that awesome zero turn mower. What were your thoughts on getting a finish mower vs the rotary cutter or flail? I went with the brush hog as I already had a nice zero turn. Enjoyed seeing the difference in that field. 100 degrees in Canada? You must have been close to death lol.

[@GPOutdoors]

LOL! Good day Mark! For my small lawn area, I chose the finish mower but if I had big fields , as my neighbour does, I would most likely go with the flail. Sadly, the zero turn was on loan for the year and went back last fall - it was an awesome mower! :)) Have a great weekend!

[@msclawnmaintenance]

I’m thinking you would have had better results if you went slower, even a commercial mower would have left things uncut at that speed.

[@newhampshire-bob1604]

Flail mower for that field for sure!

[@colbiecolbie6979]

Cant be at Guys ! No rocks!

[@mitch_smith]

GP, all the toys, err, ummm, tools*** you have and no brush cutter. I honestly had forgotten that! As to those rad screens, I'm trying to figure out a build to hook an air hose to the top of mine so I can blast it periodically while mowing and then only clean it on longer stops. Seems like a promising thought.

[@Starman.2112]

I'm not sure a brush hog would work well for you considering all the rocks I've seen at your place! You don't seem to have a lot of pasture so I think what you have now works perfectly fine! Now, that may be different if them trails you built have had the rocks taken out. If your neighbor has acres, then a brush hog is perfect. It takes me a good several hours to brush hog just my 3 acres of pasture (2610 SU) but I also have a lot of random evergreen bush that I dig that brush hog under to kill all the blackberry bushes that grow.

[@roncorbin1500]

Mowing way to fast , slow down & get a much better job.

[@GPOutdoors]

Thanks Ron!

[@claudenormandeau9211]

Your cutting WAY To Fast to do a nice job

[@garyolson6009]

You drive to dam fast..........

[@roygabriel.2753]

That one was a waist of time and money.