Flail Mower vs. Bush Hog: Which Is Better for Your Property
If your land has become overtaken with tall grass and brush, it might be time to consider upgrading from a regular mower. Depending on how large your land is, or how thick and unruly the brush is, you may need a Flail Mower or Rotary Cutter, otherwise known as a Bush Hog, to get this job done. Both of these machines will mow down thick grass, but they have key differences: a Flail Mower leaves a clean cut and gets in tight spaces, while a Rotary Cutter has a rougher cut and can mow down thicker brush and saplings.
What is a Flail Mower?
If we’re thinking of a scale from cutting fine to thick, a Flail Mower lands somewhere between a finishing mower and a Rotary Cutter. It performs well on thicker grass, brush, and stubborn weeds rather than small trees or saplings. It also comes in two types of rotating blades: Y-blades or hammer blades. The former is used for tall grass and brush, while the latter can handle thicker woody growth. To dive deeper into each blade type, check out our previous posting comparing Y-blades and hammer blades.
When to use a Flail Mower
A Flail Mower works great if you have narrow or tight spots to cut, such as ditches or near fence lines. It has a finer cut quality, leaving behind a cleaner finish rather than clumps of grass/mulch. It saves additional time from using a finishing mower while still cutting through thicker brush.
What is a Rotary Cutter?
A Rotary Cutter has thicker blades, and they spin in a fan-like motion, which allows this machine to cut through a lot. It can hack down small trees and saplings easily while still ensuring tall grass and brush are mowed.
When to Use a Rotary Cutter
This machine is best used when you have brush and materials over 3 inches that you want mowed. A Rotary Cutter will cut through a lot, but it can leave larger clumps of grass and debris in its wake. It's best used in wide, open areas where you don’t have obstacles to maneuver around.
The Choice is Yours
Depending on your land size, obstacles, and how thick the brush you need to mow will factor into your choice. A Flail Mower has a better turn radius and leaves behind a finer finish but can struggle with material over 3 inches thick. A Rotary Cutter is great in wide areas with thick grass and saplings, but you might have to go in with a finishing mower for a cleaner look.
Ready to Mow?
If a Flail Mower sounds like the right fit for your land, the 48" Light-Duty Flail Mower (EFS48) from MechMaxx is beginner-friendly and affordable, with features such as a PTO drive shaft, Hammer Blades for thick materials, and front Safety Chains keep out debris.
If you’re leaning towards a Rotary Cutter, MechMaxx offers an affordable option that attaches right to your Skid Steer. The 60” Heavy Duty Brush Cutter (SBC60) features 60 inches of working width for fast clearing and two ½ inch steel blades that chew through thick vegetation.
