Flail Mower or Topper?

[Craig.]

 

One more question. We will probably try and make hay off the same site next year. So a drum mower would make sense as an investment. But how would it cope with the wet / over stood grass from this year? I am guessing it is easier to rake if cut with a drum mower but what are they like on wet long grass?

 

A drum mower should work OK on 35hp, the only down side if it`s really wet, heavy, and knotted you still need to keep your forward speed to keep the material flowing through the machine, or the grass will try and wrap its self round the drums, only had it happen on a couple of times but that was on steep ground and unknown ground and not been touched for a number of years so going a bit cautious. But in most cases you would be ok.

[Marko]

For my two-penneth: Unless you get a really dry spell it is now going to be too late for topping and collecting. We have had a good frost so the grass will be dying back quickly and the last thing you need is any danger of cut grass remaining on the field.

 

If it were mine I would do a high pass with the flail to tidy up and mulch all the fine dead stuff and leave the heavy green grass alone until the spring.

 

FYI 5ft (flail, finish or topper) is the very widest you want to be with 35 horse.