Flail Mowers - Husqvarna rider 422 - Forum

Hi all, I am after some feedback from those with experience of using flail mowers. I have a 21hp Grillo Climber which does exactly as it's supposed to; cuts ridiculously long grass and scrub and is great on slopes. However, it's bit of a bone shaker and a bit tank-like and is nowhere near as maneuverable and user-friendly my Husqvarna rider 422. I am considering getting the flail mower for the Husqvarna 422 for the sake of my back!

But, how do flails cope with stones, mole hills etc. Do they need resharpening? If so that looks like a real pain to do compared to the Grillo with it's two inexpensive, reversible blades.

How does the finish compare with both standard rotary mowers and ride on brushcutters (attila, grillo etc.)? Is the finish good enough for small school playing fields etc? Or just the rough stuff?

Are they good for verges and are they safer in terms of flying stones?

How about wet grass?

Thanks very much in advance if anybody has the time to answer any of these questions!

Replies

Ben Jakes September 9, 2017 at 7:22pm

Flails are nearly totally useless for any kind of tidy grass mowing. Great for brambles and rough twiggy stuff. Stones and molehills won't bother them in the slightest, but it's basically cutting vegetation with a hammer rather than a sharp blade of a rotary. You don't generally sharpen flail blades but some are reversible for a fresh cutting edge.

They sap an incredible amount of power compared to a rotary, and leave a very rough finish. On a commercial contract the benefits might outweigh the rough finish.
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  Richard Gadsby > Ben Jakes September 9, 2017 at 7:52pm
  
  Just for a laugh I thought I'd show you this! Lovely finish for a flail shame about the cost!!
  
  http://www.ransomesmeteor.com/
  
  Ransomes Meteor - Ransomes Parkway 3 Meteor®
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      Richard Gadsby > Ben Jakes September 9, 2017 at 8:16pm
      
      So do I!! But not for £33k plus VAT!
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        Gary RK > Richard Gadsby September 9, 2017 at 8:19pm
        
        Have to check on eBay in 5 years time :0)
        
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        Richard Gadsby > Gary RK September 9, 2017 at 8:26pm
        
        Yes that's about the size of it. I went as far as demoing one last year but did not dare to buy in the end too much risk for me.
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    Gary RK > Richard Gadsby September 9, 2017 at 8:19pm
    
    Impressive - I want one :)
    
    We've used (hired) an out-front flail on a JD and thought it did a relatively good job on outfield / utility areas, but that Ransomes unit is something else...
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  Adam Pilgrim > Ben Jakes September 9, 2017 at 8:58pm
  
  Flails do NOT necessarily leave a rough finish. Our Amazone leaves a finish on par with a very good rotary or cylinder mower. There is a difference between grass flail blades and hammer flail blades, our has back to back 'Y' flails in. Can't remember how many exactly but its a lot. Oh and yes you can sharpen then with a grinder for a better cut (although the metal is incredibly hard) and you can reverse them too. Not all flail mowers are the same!
Geoff Sibley September 11, 2017 at 4:56pm

Thanks for your comments everyone. Will have to get in touch with a Husqvarna rep to ask for a demo to know for sure, I can't afford the Ransomes just yet! Until then the Grillo will serve me well. Cheers.