Flail Mower vs. Brush Hog: Which One is Better for Your Tractor?

If you own a tractor and want to maintain your land, you need to have a PTO powered implement that can help you get the job done. Two popular options are the flail mower and brush hog. While both of these implements have their pros and cons, it’s essential to understand the differences to make an informed decision.

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In this article, we’ll compare flail mowers and brush hogs, discussing their differences, advantages, and disadvantages. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of which one is better suited for your needs.

Flail Mower Overview

A flail mower is a type of PTO-powered implement that is ideal for cutting tough vegetation such as thick grass, weeds, and brush. It features several vertically mounted knives, which spin horizontally at high speeds, cutting everything in their path.

Flail mowers are designed for heavy-duty work and can handle tall, thick vegetation with ease. They’re also excellent at mulching, making them a popular choice for landowners who want to maintain their properties in an eco-friendly way.

Brush Hog Overview

A brush hog, on the other hand, is a type of rotary mower that’s designed to cut through thick vegetation such as saplings, bushes, and small trees. It features a single blade, which spins horizontally at high speeds, cutting through everything in its path.

Brush hogs are ideal for maintaining large properties, clearing land, and keeping roadsides and ditches free from overgrowth. They’re also excellent at cutting through tough vegetation that would damage a traditional lawnmower.

Comparison: Flail Mower vs. Brush Hog

When it comes to choosing between a flail mower and a brush hog, there are several factors to consider. Let’s take a look at how these two implements compare:

Cutting Quality

Flail mowers offer a superior cutting quality compared to brush hogs. Because they have several knives spinning at high speeds, they can cut through thick vegetation with ease and leave a clean, even finish. Brush hogs, on the other hand, can leave uneven cut patterns and can struggle with thicker vegetation.

Cutting Capacity

Both flail mowers and brush hogs have impressive cutting capacities, but they excel at different tasks. Flail mowers are designed to handle tall grass and light brush, while brush hogs are designed for cutting through thick vegetation such as small trees and bushes.

Safety

When it comes to safety, both flail mowers and brush hogs have their risks. However, flail mowers are generally considered safer because the knives are enclosed and less likely to cause flying debris. Brush hogs, on the other hand, can kick up rocks and other debris, which can be dangerous if they hit someone or something.

Maintenance

Both flail mowers and brush hogs require regular maintenance to keep them in good working condition. However, flail mowers are generally easier to maintain because they have fewer moving parts and are less likely to suffer from wear and tear. Brush hogs, on the other hand, have a single blade that can become dull quickly, requiring frequent sharpening.

Cost

Flail mowers are generally more expensive than brush hogs, but they’re also more versatile and can handle a wider range of tasks. Brush hogs are more affordable, but they’re more specialized and may not be the best choice if you need to tackle a variety of different vegetation types.

Flail Mower in action:

Advantages of Flail Mowers

• Superior cutting quality

• Mulches vegetation for eco-friendly land maintenance

• Versatile for a wide range of vegetation types

• Enclosed knives for increased safety

Disadvantages of Flail Mowers

• More expensive than brush hogs

• Can struggle with cutting through thicker vegetation

• Requires regular maintenance to keep in good working condition

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Brush Hog in action:

Advantages of Brush Hogs

• Affordable price point

• Ideal for cutting through thicker vegetation like saplings and small trees

• Useful for clearing large areas of land

Disadvantages of Brush Hogs

• Can leave uneven cut patterns

• Can be dangerous due to flying debris

• Requires frequent blade sharpening to keep in good working condition

Choosing the Right Implement for You

When it comes down to choosing between a flail mower and a brush hog, it’s essential to consider your specific needs. If you need a versatile implement that can handle a wide range of vegetation types and offers superior cutting quality, a flail mower may be the best choice. However, if you need an affordable option that can cut through thicker vegetation and clear large areas of land, a brush hog may be the way to go.

Conclusion

In summary, both flail mowers and brush hogs are excellent PTO-powered implements that can help you maintain your land. However, they have different strengths and weaknesses, making it important to understand the differences before making a purchase. By considering factors like cutting quality, cutting capacity, safety, maintenance, and cost, you can make an informed decision and choose the best implement for your needs.

FAQs

Can a flail mower cut through small trees?

Flail mowers are not designed to cut through small trees. They’re best suited for tall grass and light brush.

How often do I need to sharpen a brush hog blade?

Brush hog blades typically require sharpening after every 10-12 hours of use.

Can a brush hog be used on a small tractor?

Yes, brush hogs are designed to be used with tractors of all sizes, including small tractors.

Can a flail mower be used to clear land?

While flail mowers can handle light brush and thin saplings, they’re not designed for clearing large areas of land.

How often does a flail mower require maintenance?

Flail mowers require regular maintenance, including greasing, blade sharpening, and belt replacement, to keep them in good working condition. The frequency of maintenance will depend on usage and other factors.

dfuller
Posted 8/26/ 18:49 (#)
Subject: Disadvantage of batwing mower

Beloit, KsJust like the subject says. Any disadvantage to a larger say 15 foot batwing mower over a 3point mower other than getting into tight places. Looking to mow some ditches that are steep and looking to hang the wing out. Just rough mowing around fields.


nc ksWork great for that. Pain to use around farmstead.


Madison Co. VirginiaOther than weight and cost, there are none.

I can maneuver a trailed bat-wing more precisely in small fields (less than 1/4 acre ) than I can a 3-point mower.

WY, OKWish I would have gone bigger then 15' that is about it. Got a great deal on a demo but is still aren't cheap.

Remembered one thing where a 3pt is better, going over a hump or ditch. Batwing will get hung up even at fill lift. I have some nasty terraces someone put it and had a hell of a time with them.

Edited by Galaxie64 8/26/ 19:36


Eastern NebraskaWe do a lot of road side and around the field and some pasture mowing. I wouldn't ever go back to a 3 point mounted mower after having a batwing. I have been running a batwing for 15 years. It's on a from spring to after harvest. If I have time after harvest I mow around fields we couldn't get to while the crops were in. I put about 100 hours on that tractor mowing.

South Central Illinois

Need the proper rear wheels and skid plates to keep it out of the ditch banks.

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SC KansasWas really shocked how well I liked pull 15' over a 3-point. I would not go back.

southern IndianaI think i am going to get a 3pt boom mower than a batwing mower. you can do more with a boom mower but may take you longer to mow the ditches.

ohioI had a woods 15 ft batwing. You could lock up one wing and mow down the side ditch along the field. Bought a new John Deere 15 ft. You can't mow with one wing up. I miss the woods for tight places.

EC ILNever had a piece of equipment contribute to as much tractor damage as a batwing. Shattered 2 torque limiter clutches and broke the drawbar on a case . And they roll over very easily when folded so don't even think about leaving it folded from road transport when driving in and out of ditches
, or pulling on to the shoulder along roads.

Mid-MissouriNot that I recommend it but why can't you mow with a wing up?

If it is the hydraulic folding aspect, we have had a cx20 plumbed with each wing on there own hose. This can work with both plugged in to one outlet but can be a little tricky operating each wing just where you want them. Also, our cx20 has a lock on each wing, doesn't the 15' machine?

If it is the shaft or blades spinning you don't like, the driveshaft comes off of the gearbox pretty quickly.


I will say, with one wing up, folding the lowered wing up can put a lot of stress on the back axle of the mower. If they fold up together it is much easier on everything. Our mower was a nightmare on the rear axle. The CX20 framework is far superior. Driveline seems a little lacking but the cx20 is much better than the older models.

Edited by seedcleaner 8/26/ 20:53


Northeast ksI was mowing today with a 15' rhino batwing se-15 model, and drove over a hump of dirt, and it broke a driveshaft yoke and u-joint. It sure is better than the smaller mowers, but is expensive to run. I also use a allis d-15 and a pull behind 5' a/c mower, and that is the most indestructible mower ever.We have owned several batwings over the years. Also have a 7' 3pt but seldom use it. Our current batwing is a Bush Hog . It will mow with evr or bot wings up, though I try not to mow with a wing up for very long. Just want to make sure the wings are down & mower is running before you fold a wing. They make a little clatter but have never damaged anything so far. Have also done it with a Woods batwing and an Bush Hog.

Biggest problem we have had with batwings is from running too big a tractor on them. Have pulled the with 200+hp fwds & mower gives before the tractor. Bought a new Maxxumm 115 in and since using it on the batwings we haven't had near the problems. Tractor has a little over hours & all but about 150 of those hours were put on it mowing. We spread the wheels out about as far as possible & with the lower center of gravity I am much more comfortable mowing on steep inclines than I was with a large mfd tractor with duals on the rear.

If you don't like running with a wing up, not sure of make, but the Co Hwy Dept just south of us has a batwing with just 1 wing. Or if you want smaller than 15" good friends have a 12' with 2 wings they pull behind a subcompact JD. Personally, I would like a 20' though some guys complain they are too big to mow roadsides with. We have several ditches I have to make a 2nd pass cutting about a 2' strip, with 20 I could mow them in one pass. We also prefer the aircraft tires compared to the laminated, have owned both. We are spreadout & after awhile the laminated ones either get egg shaped or start to come apart. Aircraft tires ride smoother & filling the center ones with foam eliminates problems with flats. Wings will be fine even if the tires are flat, about the only way you will know one is flat is the valve stem will be gone, Even flat they won't squat on the wings. We also prefer dual tires on center & wings alike. With a single wing tire, if that tire is running on the opposite side of a ridge, like along a field edge, the wing will get into the dirt. Don't have that problem with duals.

Edited by boog 8/26/ 21:16


south west IndianaMake sure the drive shaft is constant velocity


E.C. ILWe had a Deere cx15 and it seemed very heavy and it sheared the shaft out of the main gearbox twice. It had the solid rubber tires which I liked.

Now we have a woods. It seems like it’s lighter and all around a better mower. I like that you can mow with wings up if you need to. Only drawback is inflatable tires.westin_ar - 8/26/ 21:11

Only drawback is inflatable tires.

Have the center tires filled with foam.


KYI must be nuts.. have a 15’ batwing and an 8’ 3pt, in a 1 acre spot I bet I spend less time cutting then I do turning in some of the same spots, could finish quicker with the 3pt but not going to get it just for a spot here and there while I’m out with the batwing already. I have an acre and a half weaning lot that gets mowed a couple times during the summer since nothing is in it and I feel like I’m turning in circles with the bat. Was a lot worse with my old mower without a CV shaft!


Statesville, NCI like my Landpride 14' single wing cutter. It's basically a 20', minus the left wing. I like it for going around fields. You can keep the tractor next to the crop, and not have to look left. If the tractor is 8' wide, the cutter sticks out 6 more feet. A 15' bat wing only sticks out 3 1/2' past the tractor. A 14' single wing is hard to find. Woods makes one model which is really heavy on the tongue, and Landpride makes three. Pic and more info in this post: https://talk.newagtalk.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=&mid=663...

Central IllinoisI really like our Bush Hog . They finally made the center section cut a wider swath that closely matches the tractor tread width. I have always used a tractor with less than 90 hp and hardly ever even slip a clutch let alone tear up drivelines. One mod that I add is to run a 2nd hose to each wing cylinder so they are double acting. Never have a problem putting a wing down even if you are not o level ground.

South GeorgiaWe traded out 14’ 3PT on a 20’ batwing. First few years were great. Mower has a better cut and finish, but all of the places that the batwing will not fit are starting to grow up. The batwing is more complicated to run when you are not simply going forward. When I am mowing around the farmstead, I spend more time looking behind me pushing the mower in reverse trying to navigate around. I am currently in the market for another 3PT to keep around for that type of mowing. Also, the batwing has so many grease fittings, I mean so many..As far as I can tell, there are none. We have a Deere MX15, and we love it. Does anything and everything we want it to. Besides the seal breaking twice in the last month, no problems at all.dvswia
Posted 8/27/ 07:27 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: Disadvantage of batwing mower

sw corner ia.mine is a rhino 20' flex wing, mow all over the place but have a 7' 3pt for narrows. the rhino is over 30 years old and it is a real tough hombre. it also has an intermediate bearing in the driveshaft letting me turn rather short under power. none of the new ones have this, however.westin_ar
Posted 8/27/ 07:32 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: Disadvantage of batwing mower


E.C. ILboog - 8/26/ 21:38

westin_ar - 8/26/ 21:11

Only drawback is inflatable tires.

Have the center tires filled with foam.


We’ve thought about doing this. So far we haven’t had a problem but I know it’s a matter of time.

Edited by westin_ar 8/27/ 07:33
pat-michigan
Posted 8/28/ 06:33 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: Disadvantage of batwing mower

UP / Thumb of MichiganTrent - 8/26/ 23:10

I like my Landpride 14' single wing cutter. It's basically a 20', minus the left wing. I like it for going around fields. You can keep the tractor next to the crop, and not have to look left. If the tractor is 8' wide, the cutter sticks out 6 more feet. A 15' bat wing only sticks out 3 1/2' past the tractor. A 14' single wing is hard to find. Woods makes one model which is really heavy on the tongue, and Landpride makes three. Pic and more info in this post: " target="_blank" title="https://talk.newagtalk.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=&mid=#M