What is a flail mower? How do I decide if it's right for me?

[@win1885]

why aren't you making hay out of that grass?

[@theronvandermerwe2358]

I think he wants the clippings to go into the ground and build the soil, not sure though

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Great Question! Ya can't rob the land of grass...without putting nutrient back....we'll be buying most of our hay for the next few years as we build the soils and pastures on the farm....hay is $20 per roll around here....I can't get the darn equipment out of the barn for that price! So it's economics...I could cut the whole farm in hay....get about 300 bales a year...that's $6000 worth of hay....over 10 days of work and $200 in diesel fuel....then spread $3500 worth of lime and $7000 worth of fertilizer...the numbers don't work out do they? We buy our hay for now as we build pastures and hay fields brotha

[@jaredkean7841]

I've never seen a doohickey like that. I guess it would depend on what a guy is trying to accomplish as to whether he'd need one eh?

[@theMekanik]

The numbers will never work out if you are comparing yourself to economy of scale 💁🏻‍♂️ You think a gas station ⛽️ would have a motor oil fill point instead of selling individual quarts of oil when you can buy barrels or just store the oil under ground & pump it out 😅

[@bigsasquatch7027]

You do not need to fertilize it every year, you don't have to make bails every year either. You are already burning up diesel fuel mowing it anyway...

[@noc8076]

Instead of hammers you can also get a Y knife that is attached with a shackle. For very rocky areas, removing the hammers and using three links of the heaviest chain you can get, works great. It rips the grass and shrubs while just bouncing off rocks without tearing the machine apart.

[@rogercravens3418]

I just bought a large used flail mower, its a beast. You can buy parts at Flail-Master in Murfreesboro, TN. They are local for me, but ship all over. Great prices, nice people. Its a small outfit, and I love supporting this type of business. I'm not affiliated in any way, just a customer.

[@andyjones6361]

Easy on the grease Josh. Most people don’t know it but on sealed bearing a pump is gobs!! On pins and bushing the excess simply makes a mess. But on sealed bearings the bearing will actually get hot when over greased. When I was a pup I had an old machinist teach me that. Another Great video!! Please keep them coming

[@stevelux9854]

Also, over overgreasing can push out the seals.

[@raymondhinds3539]

I have heard of flail mowers for years, but nobody ever explained how they cut the hay. Thank you for explaining how a flail mower cuts the hay.

[@TKCL]

I've had a flail mower for years and absolutely love it! Easy on power requirements, cuts grass good and brush. It's a perfect combo mower for me!

[@Ajax7498]

We just bought a Titan 165 Ditch Back mower. Its an awesome mower and very well built, Worth the money and does a great job. Thanks for all your great videos.

[@froochie123]

The most American thing I've seen all day.... "I'm not going to go under there, its dangerous". 5 minutes later, "Lets go under and take a look". Your videos teach many people many things and when you break being PC for the internet whiners that don't think you do anything right, the internet grateful like me thank you very much. My land is forest and I'm looking for a flail mower and a bush hog as I think the combo would be the best for building well groomed walking trails. Videos like this are awesome.

[@drich6816]

Flail mowers have 2 types of blades, You have the hammer ones meet for more brush type material. I have the grass blades that are more in the shape of a Y,

[@michaelroth3471]

You have that backwards Dan

[@fibreguy1971]

Think y is for grass too. Hammers for brush and t blades for hedging

[@andyjones6361]

The flail really leaves a nice finish. You got a nice place there!!

[@butler386]

Interesting mower. Never seen one like that before. Looks like it does a nice job. Thanks for sharing.

[@lazio9492]

Used flail mowers back in the 80's. I liked them alot. Good for mowing parks and such!

[@cherylbaryo868]

I subscribed to your channel about 3 weeks ago!! I love your journey ❤️ and appreciate all the information!! Your channel is my nightly watch 😁👍. Blessings from Michigan!!!!

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Welcome!!

[@thephotographicauditor6715]

I absolutely LOVE my JD 25A flail mower. It does have its limitations, especially in dew laden or tall grass. Keep the blades sharp, the pulleys and bearings greased, the mowing height adjusted properly, the forward speed in check and it’ll treat you well.

[@scudderville]

FYI, McNaught is an Australian company. Their grease guns are manufactured in Australia. Just in case anyone wanted to know.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Well dang...got that one wrong...oopsy

[@scudderville]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer Ah, no biggie. Wondered when i watched a YTvid from McNaught and the narrator had an Aussie accent. Look like really well made grease guns.

[@marierobbins6771]

So grateful for this post, I just bought this same mower from Titan. I do wish I had bought the ditch-mower version .. but so far this mower is holding together well.

[@fredduncan1610]

You can adjust cut height with the top link as well. I think ideally you have the mower riding on the roller more than the skids.

[@ChateautenBerghe]

We use a flail mower behind our Lamborghini tractor around the castle. It's perfect for the wood trails!

[@bretter4368]

I like the idea of a flail mower, but have just signed up for a finishing mower for a couple of reasons. On hilly landscapes, I have to reverse down while cutting (not safe to do a turn) and I've been told that flail cutters are not good at cutting in reverse, probably due to the roller. Also, when turning there is a good chance of tearing the ground with the side skids, especially if the unit is not running mostly on its roller. The finishing mower doesn't have these issues (hopefully), but I also know it won't be nearly as tough as a flail unit. Anyways, I figure I've got a brush hog (a slasher in Australia!) for the tough stuff. All this to turn 5 to 8 acres into the park/golf course the missus has her heart set on !! PS. really enjoy your channel!

[@Hfoutdoorsyt]

Nice flail mower. That's on my wish list👍

[@2LateIWon]

Another plus with a flail mower is they dont tend to throw things like a finish mower or brush hog. Great video as always

[@dannywalker1635]

Good job Josh. After you get a few of those afternoon rains on that field it will start looking awesome!

[@brianmeattey4151]

Great video brother I woke up and seen the vid I jumped right on it ..I'm allways looking for your vids .godbless

[@BrandonBigB956]

Just bought a 7 foot flail and used it the first time last night. Running a Ford 907 flail with new Y knives and it cuts as smooth as my zero turn

[@SLFYSH]

I just recognized the origin or 'inspiration' of the tune you put your words to at the intro. Good job, surprisingly different style for the music, and much happier than the original lyrics.

[@thomasbunch8476]

I bought a John Deere 25A last year that had been abused terribly. I repaired the pto shaft, rebuilt the rear roller, fabbed up some missing parts,replaced all of the blades and most of the hangers.I replaced all of the bearings. It cuts as fast as a rotary cutter but a much nicer finish. It doesn't throw rocks and follows rough terrain better than a rotary. A 6 foot rotary sticks out 9 feet behind the lower links, my flail only sticks out 38 inches. I can't wait for the grass to grow again.

[@davidmeeks40]

Always enjoy your videos. One of the best channels

[@the32712]

The grass here in the Northwestern NC mountains is massive. We had 12 inches of rain a couple weeks ago plus a couple more inches the past week. The grass is 4ft tall now. When you're driving with your hand out the window, you actually hit the grass stalks!

[@andrewhoggett8148]

could have watched the mowing part with the music all day very relaxing good mental distraction from 2020

[@terrymangum3914]

A nice review of the flail mower Josh. The mowed field looks great.

[@BulldogTractor]

I’m looking into purchasing a flail mower to compliment my rotary shredder. Appreciate the video. A video is worth a thousand words lol. Cheers from the Bulldog 🍻

[@jacobscott3265]

My grandpa has a old Ford flail mower he loves it

[@sidneyeaston6927]

In the UK we use the same thing on a rotating arm, deals with brush cuts grass cuts large hedges and can deal with changing angles of attack can all so be used to grind stumps.

[@miloharshman1673]

Say "Hi!", to the Mrs. I know she is working hard; trying to keep us all healthy and safe...love Milo

[@chrisbastian3766]

Awesome video Josh! Love that tractor!

[@ShadyOaksFarm]

I just purchased a Peruzzo offset ditch bank flail mower. Can’t wait to try around the pond with the 60 inch offset. I looked at Titan, but none in stock. They cut so much better than rotary. The each have there place!

[@jimbrown8818]

Glad to see you're wearing hearing protection! Nice mower.

[@waderyan1812]

I run one where I work I’ve hit loads of rocks with it doesn’t hurt it to much just a Big Bang when it hits the cab

[@WilliamsonRidge]

Nice explanation Josh we thought about a flail mower but got a rotary cutter because we had a lot of rough stuff to cut, may get a rotary cutter latter when all the brush is under control then switch to it to maintain, seems it’s kinda best of both worlds

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

I think once you get a flail...you won't go back!

[@Yhrim70]

Lever-Lock grease gun hose fitting is the best I've seen, and its universal so it fits existing grease guns. I've used one for some years, and it works great, never had any issues.

[@tonyprice5364]

It does a awesome job cutting the grass into fine grass clippings.

[@Lionoftruth7]

They’re good for pruned branches we use em for breaking branches in the orchard .

[@smoothbore4377]

In my opinion, you need to extend that top-link a bit, to get the mower to "float" better.

[@stephencahill4783]

Keep it up I love your videos you teach me a lot

[@ThatFixItGuy]

Thanks Stoney Ridge! That grease gun is awesome. I grease a lot valves at work and it would be soooo nice to not have to hold that end on while trying to pump grease. I end up wiping grease off of something 90 percent of the time! Thanks bro!

[@huntaway365_]

We call it a mulching mower, because that's what it does, mulches. I use ours to mulch a paddock, once the cattle have grazed the paddock. Also i use it to mulch up the hedge trimmings, on our 10-15 kms of box hedging 👍

[@boboslickjohn1471]

I have used a flail mower for 5 years, no comparison to the cut of either the brush hog or the finish mower. I bought the brush hog and finish mower with my first tractor and still have them, maybe 5 hours on each, plan on selling both. High grass cutting with a rotary mower always leaves balls of grass that results in dead spots in the grass as it takes too long for the grass to decompose. My flail has hundreds of hours on it and only maintenance is replacing one Y style blade.

[@ncpanther]

Flails are awsome for the broad acre grass for regular cuttings. Would love to see you try a brown brush cutter. Will turn your tractor to a chainsaw and mulcher. Very heavy duty cutter!!!

[@aaronvincent7558]

It look like it done a good job looks like it done better then a brush hog would I enjoy watching your videos you really have the place looking good we have to ford tractors with cabs on the farm one is between 70 to 75 horse power the other one is like a 100 I will be watching more of your videos my name is Aaron I live in Kentucky

[@ritterjon]

💥 Josh! You’re wearing a Swisher hat and running a Titan flail. LOL! Those flails work great don’t they. 👍 *Keep on tractoring!*

[@stanleyknight8173]

Take those grass clippings use them as mulch to put on top your garden to keep it from drying out.

[@josephwriley]

Keep up the great work and video content! I loved your into song! Rock on brother!

[@piepawrench]

Seems to me that maintenance time, (sharpening or replacing the "hammers" ), would be a lot longer on this than a rotary type blade. Just my thoughts, no charge 8-)

[@aussiefarmer8741]

I sold my rotary cutter and bought the flail. Didn't need the hydraulic slide it's permanentley offset. Its better for the soil in the long run and if the trees drop small limbs/ twig stuff it all gets mulched up. The sheep seem to prefer the grass cut and re shooting as opposed to the long stuff. The flail is more manoeuverable also.

[@PopleBackyardFarm]

Nice mower . Looks like you are enjoying it

[@chrissilsby4312]

I used one for the Summer at Lansing's Schools in Lansing, Michigan. I didn't like it because the one I used, had chains to attach the blades. It was a pain in the butt to work with because you had to adjust your height all the time.

[@ronniejenkins2056]

Good video I have seen flail mowers being used with the county road crew but I don't know of anyone having one on their farm it would be nice on smaller plots where a bush hog might be a little big thanks Josh

[@adrockey]

Cool piece of equipment. I think it mows a bit too low. When you mow below 3" on most grasses it puts the root system in shock. Then the grass looks dead for over a week ( depending on the rain and sun). But it looks to a cut rather clean.

[@mxlman26]

We all dream of having a big home like yours, but Man, that Lot of work

[@yasminghani2073]

Enjoy watching your video very interesting information thank you

[@brianmiller4282]

They do really good on spreading out cow patties too

[@blainerichard8055]

I don’t know much about this equipment I’m learning as I watch you but that looks nice

[@This1LifeWeLive]

Love the idea of a flail mower. Even our lawnmower doesn't mulch :(

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

This thing is awesome.....puts a nice layer of mulched grass down to hold moisture to the land and feed the land too! THanks WT Farm Girl!

[@This1LifeWeLive]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer I saw tractor time with tim had one he was using, that thing chewed up everything, I was seriously shocked at what they can do! Definitely a nice addition to the farm 👌

[@captainstabbin9338]

@@This1LifeWeLive The one Josh has in this video is actually made for brush, because it has "hammer" blades. For cutting grass the "Y-Shaped" blades actually deliver a better cut quality.

[@brianforrest3377]

Interesting video stoney man love watching buddy

[@jeremiahcannon4443]

.you should mention the different types of flail “ blades” available, mention the tilt articulation for slight or angled slope mowing. Also speak w/ tractor dealer about optimum model to width ratios- flails can be outstanding for “ tighter” residential areas as well. Fair job overall…😊

[@chrissilsby4312]

Next time your in that thick of grass, try a half of a pass, it is.less stressful on the equipment and double mulches the grass for better breakdown.

[@fjsotopr]

Your a wild man !!!! I would have put 3 jacks before putting my head below the mower................ Not complaining / Just really amazed !

[@jeffschaefer4579]

I have the woodmaxx 78h and it's a beast. Best with dry grass as any mower would be, but will go through 6 foot field of weeds and grass very well. You have to use common sense, which is in short supply as of late, but I digress. Hooked to a Yanmar 359 cab tractor that's just unstoppable. Using the Y grass blades on it now but I also bought the duck blades. Interested in seeing what those will do in brush because the Y blades are nothing to screw with.

[@paulrovira873]

Brother I like the words to your song that’s exactly how I feel

[@vincebowling1778]

I’d love to have one of these, thanks for sharing the video!!

[@vlookup_tim]

Beautiful property.

[@hiscifi2986]

Seeing as you are carting those Pallet Forks around with you everywhere, you should stick them into that rock, they might lift it out..!

[@javabean215]

Couple of other advantages of a flail: it doesn't stick out so far from the tractor, allowing you to make sharper turns and get into some tighter spots; it doesn't fling rocks/limbs half an acre away, so if you're mowing a pasture with livestock in it (or near a building or people) it's less of a safety hazard. They do tend to cost more up front, and they do require a little more maintenance, but they are more forgiving of rocks/limbs/etc than finish mowers while cutting almost as well; and they are almost as "brute force" as a brush hog without throwing debris nearly as much. Oh, and they don't leave windrows like brush hogs and some cheap finish mowers.

[@kevinbrewer2141]

In my opinion a flail mower is a hybrid. It also takes up less room than a brush hog. I like to keep my equipment out of the sun and weather if I can.

[@fsj197811]

If you drop the flail mower down could you use it as a power rake? Thanks for sharing.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

I wouldn't recommend using it in the soil

[@fsj197811]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer I didn't think so but when the idea occurred to me, I had to ask. Thanks for the reply.

[@reesvalleyranch3933]

Keep up the great work!👍

[@ceepark114]

I wonder what type would be better for cutting several acres of grass that has mole hills and a little bit of blackberry vines, small trees, the hammer style or knife type of flail mowers? We mow with a brush hog now but it is on its last leg and looking for a replacement for our grass fields. It looks like the flail mower gives a nicer finish to the field whereas the rotary mower leaves big clumps of cut grass all over the field.

[@EarlybirdFarmSC]

Great video. I have often wondered about the Flai mowers. seems like it would great for cutting pond ditches. BTW, that song in the middle of the video sounds just like The Wallflowers 6th Ave Heartache. later dude.

[@brucealvarez9263]

In addition to the points you made, the flail takes up a lot less storage space than a rotary cutter of the same width. Also, being so much shorter, it makes a nice rear ballast, mine is 750 pounds.

[@noahnower5301]

It looks great!!!

[@billdaniel920]

I'm assuming that you are sharpening the hammer cutters with flop disc on a 4 1/2" grinder. ?? 'Nice clean cutting action. That would be a lot of strokes with a bastard file, and almost as labor intensive to take all of them off, and grind 'em. I'm always pulling for you, Josh!

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

brand new blades as of yet...but I will be using the grinder

[@travelingbadger]

I love that mower, if I had more grass to mow that is the kind of mower I would be using.

[@amossnowdaharleyman9179]

Good video. Seen them but just not popular in my part of Texas.Rotary shredders: I run a 6' 3 point and an 8' tow behind (both are Bush Hog branded) at my farm and they are pretty tough and will destroy anything the tractor will push over. At work I have a JD MX6 6' 3 point and with sharp blades it does a fine finish cut.Could be that a flail mower would work well on what I mow at work but since they are rare here there are no good used on the market so I'll run what I got. Can't see spending the money on a new one.I'm pretty "thrifty".

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Right on brotha....so we've come to the point on our land where we arent' really cutting any "rough brush" so the flail mower seems to do a great job...I'm not ready to hang up my Woods BB72X yet....but I'm happy with the flail for sure!

[@amossnowdaharleyman9179]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer Flail did do an exceptional job.

[@bcgrittner]

Love that tractor yard ornament. Being a city guy, I’m not familiar with the flail mower. I’m always willing to learn, though.

[@derrickmartin5392]

May be a goofy question. I have never used this type of mower. I have used rotary cutters and finish mowers. Can you mow in reverse with this? I have several tight spots where I mow forward and backwards. Thanks!

[@Ramdodge582]

i'm sure you can replace 1 cutting hammer so long if it's the same weight. a little kitchen scale should do. down to the gram would be sufficient i would think.

[@s.pursell8901]

I love your disclaimer today about this is not a how to video and to know your own machine. 👍

[@mikejohnson3755]

My property is hilly with terrace to prevent erosion making it a challenge to mow with a rotary cutter. The ground gets steeper near the terrace and makes my tractor feel tippy so I mow perpendicular to the terrace. As I go up and over uncut grass is left on either side of the terrace. Since the flail is closer to the back of the tractor I’m wonder if it would do a better job?

[@gatekeeper84]

That ironic song at the start is hilarious! You sure hit al the clichés.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

yep....he's "gone country"

[@dylanmcdonald7765]

If that rotating shaft spun the other way would it dig up the grass you lay over with the tire and cut it? Maybe something for the boys at Titan to look into! Eliminate the need for the hydraulic sliding portion?

[@jesseknox9322]

Hey there. I enjoyed the video! I have a question: I establish native prairie for myself and landowners for a side hustle. After the natives are drilled, weeds and foxtail will eventually come back up. Normally I raise my brush cutter a foot off the ground that way you dont cut the new native prairie, but also less debris left over from the mower that won't smother the seeding. My question is: can you raise the flail mower a foot off and do a good job mowing? Thanks for your time!

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

I don't believe you can raise it to a foot and be effective....however 8 inches or so might be

[@kurtlangeberg1329]

So if you were mowing in an area in which you may come across some large sticks, which mower would you prefer to use? I'm talking sticks greater than 3 inches.

[@Bob-kc8zc]

Can you back up with it to cut a hard to drive over spot?

[@kevinroberts2014]

Yes I have

[@amechelb]

We are getting our property in a few weeks and I am looking at different tow behind mowers for an atv. They all off set. If you had to pick between a flail and brush style one which would you chose. We will only have money for one for the time being.

[@tomkeating65]

Two types of flails are used. The ones you're using are for brush. For adjusting the height of the mower, use the rear roller and the top link. The flail can be used as as a finish mower as well. Get a front mounted mower too. The lists are endless.

[@douglash.1268]

I really wanted to see how it did in the thick, tangled grass.

[@Trump985]

Interesting this might be what I need. I’m at my wits end with the traditional mower decks. Between clogging up and getting tore up from sticks other debris. I don’t have a big tractor so not sure if I’ll be able to run one of these. I have a 28hp tractor is that enough to run this?

[@4x4Moses]

Don't confuse Titan Attachments with American-made Titan Implements!

[@batpherlangkharkrang7976]

Hi..... Thank you 🎥👍👍👍

[@ArkansasPilgrim]

Gut feeling: Looks cool, but that's a lot of pieces to maintain, especially if it really needs to be balanced. I don't think it can handle larger "brush". The mass of the big blades on a bush hog will cut some pretty thick stuff. That's a lot of parts to have to sharpen. A bush hog has 2. Go with a bush hog. You can mow close with it, too. Just take the wheel off the back.

[@donttreadonme4355]

Brushhog* Bush hog is a brand name