What size flail mower do I need?

If you own a small holding, you know that maintaining your land is an important part of managing your property. Whether it's clearing brambles or maintaining grass and pathways, the correct equipment and tools makes a difference. A piece of equipment that often comes up in this context is the flail mower. This guide aims to assist you in making a decision based on the size and type of flail mower you need for your smallholding.

Understanding Flail Mowers
It is first of all important to understand what a flail mower is, and how it differs from other types of mowers. Unlike rotary mowers that cut with a spinning blade, flail mowers use rows of small, heavy-duty blades (known as flails) that are attachef to a rotating drum. The flails swing freely, cutting vegtetation as they come into contact with it. This makes flail mowers especially effective at dealing with thick grass and undergrowth.

Flail mowers are renowned for their versatility and durability, as they can handle rough terrain, thick vegetation and uneven grounds better than any other types of mower. For this reason, they are especially ideal for smallholders who need a tool that can tackle various tasks.

Choosing the right size flail mower for your smallholding
The size of the flaim mower required will be dependant upon the size of your smallholding, the terrain and the type of work you wish to carry out.

Size of your Smallholding:
-Less than 5 Acres: If you have a smallholding up to approximately 5 acres, a compact flail mower with a cutting width of 1 metre/3-4 feet should be adequate. This size is ideal for maintaining small fields, pathways and garden areas as it is easy to manoevre in tight spaces with corners or obstacles, like trees and fences.
-Between 5 & 10 Acres: If you have a smallholding between 5 and 10 acres, a flail mower with a cutting width of 1.2 to 1.5 metres/4-5ft should be considered. This size allows you to cover more ground efficiently while still being managable with a compact tractor. It allows a good balance between manoeuvrability and productivity, enabling you to maintain larger areas without spending your entire day mowing.
-More than 10 Acres: If you have a small holding larger than 10 acres, a more robust machine will be required. A flail mower with a cutting width of 1.8 metres/6ft or larger is recommended. This size is capable of handling extensive fields and very rough terrain however, these are less manoevrable. They are effecient for bigger properties.

Type of terrain:
-Flat and Well-Maintained Land: If your land is primarily flat and often maintained, you mnay not require a large or heavy-duty flail mower. A lighter and more compact model will be suitable for the job, and therefore, will be cheaper.
-Hilly or Uneven Terrain - If your smallholding is hilly, uneven or particularly rough, a more robust flail mower with a wider cutting width will be more suited. The extra width not only helps with ground coverage, but also provides additional stability on slopes. Additionally, flail mowers with adjustable cutting heights are beneficital for dealing with variable ground conditions.
-Dense Vegetation: If your smallholding has areas of dense undergrowth or thick grass, you will require a powerful flail mower with sufficient cutting width to cope with the task. This requires a flail mower with a cutting width of 1.5-1.8m/5-6ft for the most effective outcome.

Tractor Compatibility
The final important factor when choosing the correct size flail mower, is ensuring it is compatible with your compact tractor. Flail mowers are typically powered by the tractor's PTO (Power Take-Off) shaft, so it is important to ensure that your tractor's PTO horsepower (HP) matches the mowers requirements. An underpowered tractor will struggle with a large mower, leading to inefficient mowing and potentially damaging the tractor and the mower.
-15-25 HP Tractors: Suitable for flail mowers with cutting widths up to 1.2m/4ft.
-25-25 HP Tractors: Suitable for flail mowers with cutting widths up to 1.2 and 1.5m/4-5ft.
-35 HP and above: These tractors can manage larger flail mowers with cutting widths of 1.8m/6ft or more.

Conclusion
Selecting the right size flail mower for your smallholding is dependant upon the size of the land, the type of vegetation and your tractors capacity. For smaller properties, a compact mower will do the job, while larger holdings will benefit from a more extensive machine.

If you require assistance choosing the best flail mower for your smallholding or tractor, you can contact our sales team on 01260 278332 or alternatively, email us on sales@mowersplus.co.uk.