Brush/Weed mowing.

Power needed, capability, safety, maintenance, preferred brands.

I have some old pasture, very little brush, so seems either one would work, might come down to price/maintenance.

Mostly for a path, lots of hidden rocks.

Tried a search, but don"t find anything that seems to fit my question.

A "flail mower" generally refers to something rectangular in plan view. The long axis is oriented perpendicular to the direction of travel. A spinning shaft is arranged parallel to the long axis and carries a series of 6 or more cutter blades.

For cutting paths through rough pastures with lots of rocks, you definitely want a "Rotary cutter". These are simpler, cheaper, and more resistant to damage. Their biggest downside is the rough end they leave on the stubble, and the fact that they chop the cut grass into irregular clumps. For (say) monthly use on your own farm, the cheaper ones like the King Kutter are fine. They do use thinner steel than the Woods or Bush Hog models, and will get dented and beat up over time.

A flail mower does a neater job of cutting, but is not very happy about digesting rocks. I think it is out of the question for your application.

A flail mower, maybe bush hog was the first manufacturer, has a pin in the blade that the outside length of the blade pivots on. So when the blade stikes something, the blade has some give.

Seems as though people like Bush Hog and Woods for these kind of mowers. People in general don't seem to be too fond of inexpensive models from the farm store like King Kutter.

I think if there's rock involved a flail mower is called for.

Mowing in rocks is said to be dangerous. Dad claims he's seen the flail mower throw a rock the size of your head 40 yards.

Thanks for the help, as with many questions, there are many sides.

Due to price/maintenance, I will probably start with the swinging rotary blade cutter, and move up to a flail when I have the intended path done.

And still be able to use the rotary for general clipping.

The momentum and ability to throw things a great distance will have to be addressed by safe precautions, and smart bystanders if any.

The walk behind brush cutter I mentioned can really toss things, and thats 8hp/100 pound belt driven unit, not a shaft drive several hundred lbs 30hp.

Most of the rocks I speak of are buried boulders that will do damage to the blades but are too big and flush to the surface to get picked up.