Overview – A Different Type of Mower
When it comes to mowing large properties most land owners and land maintenance professionals consider utilizing a tractor PTO mounted flail mower or brush hog.
In today’s post we’re going to discuss the ATV Flail Mower as an alternative for those who would prefer a tow behind option that can be easily attached to a trailer hitch on their ATV or light duty vehicles. ATV pull behind flail mowers are fully self-contained, meaning power is provided by a gas engine that is mounted to the frame of the mower.
Before we go too much further I would like to point out the age old flail mower vs. brush hog debate that has been going on since the inception of professional grade mowers for personal use.
While we won’t get into detail in this post, the basic premise is that brush hogs are best suited for quickly clearing large swaths of land that don’t require a clean cut and can be left with clumping and piling of clippings.
On the other hand, the flail mower is known for providing a nice looking and closer overall cut which you’ll typically see in large grassy fields including areas such as parks and golf courses.
A bit more on that here below…
BRUSH HOG vs. FLAIL MOWER (for compact tractors)
For more general information about flail mowers we wrote a popular post a while back called Everything You Need To Know About Buying A Flail Mower Online. This post contains a wealth of information including general flail mower use, maintenance, safety tips, and more.
What’s So Great About ATV Flail Mowers anyway?
Most folks would agree that the best ATV flail mower is the one that continues to perform well season after season, requiring little maintenance to run at peak performance.
To ensure high quality performance, Briggs & Stratton, a well known engine manufacturer, supplies power to a variety of self contained implements, including certain models of ATV Flail Mowers in addition to a line of wood chippers such as the MDWC-1500 and GTS-1500.
These gas powered engines mostly operate around 15HP, powered by a 420 ccm 4-stroke one-cylinder gas engine at 3600 RPM.
Beyond power supply, it is important that the mower can be easily attached to any variety of vehicles allowing for greater flexibility when mowing. Prior to purchasing it is a good idea to identify the correct trailer hitch receiver size that will be connected. A standard “2” hitch tends to offer many options for hookup including cars, vans, SUVs, trucks, and more.
How To Pick The Right One
Keep in mind the weight of the mower in conjunction with the tow vehicle is an important component, especially if considering utilizing a compact vehicle. Fortunately it is easy to find a mower weighing less than 500lbs which is typically suitable for even the most lightweight towing apparatus.
Once the towing vehicle has been determined, understanding the mowing requirements is a must. For example, how wide does the swath need to be? In addition, does the mower have the ability to extend left or right in either direction to offset the clearance path accounting for obstacles such as fence posts, vegetation, and perimeter lines (similar to the function of a hydraulic shift on a tractor PTO powered flail mower).
While understanding mowing width is important, let’s not forget mowing height can be of equal importance, extending the mower’s capabilities to reach over and under any potential obstacles.
Finally, don’t forget to consider the belt drive system and battery needed to fire up the engine. Make sure when shopping for an ATV Flail Mower that the battery is included in the purchase and that the belt drive system has systems in place to minimize belt slippage and easy repair access.
kodiak 450 atv mowing with flail mower
Where to Purchase
By now you’re probably asking yourself “where can I find an ATV flail mower for sale near me”? While these relatively obscure flail mowers are sometimes available through large tractor implement distributors, there are high quality and affordable options available online.
In most cases, buying an ATV Flail Mower online is a lower cost alternative than in-store due to less handling between wholesale and retail outlets. Just make sure when purchasing online that the cost is all-in, which means including tax and shipping, so that you are not surprised by unexpected costs when placing your order.
At Victory Tractor, we source all of our equipment directly from the manufacturer and pass the savings on to our customers. As always, the team is standing by to answer any questions to assist with your decision. Victory support can be reached directly at (562) 534-8182 or sales@etractorimplements.com
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