Cutditioner/Rotary Scythe/Flail Mower

JNP · Jun 9, 2009

Correct me if I'm wrong but from what I've read about the only difference between a cutditioner/rotary scythe and a flail mower is the size of the blade and how they are attached to the center shaft. I make some ditch hay with a sickle mower right now but constant plugging is a problem. A disc mower is out of the question due to cost and lack of horsepower to handle the machine. My question is, is there any reason why I would not be able to convert a 4-5 ft flail mower to do the same thing as a cutditioner/rotary scythe? Even if I had to spend $400-$600 that would be about 1/4 the cost of disc mower and it would still do the same thing. Any input or advice is appreciated.

Mike (WA) · Jun 10, 2009

Don't know if we're talking about the same thing, but guys used to make "green chop" and silage with an implement called a flail chopper- curved blades, chopped up the grass and blew it out a spout into a wagon. Many of those were converted to hay mowers by covering the entrance to the blower and taking off the spout (gotta leave the blower intact, as it acts as a flywheel for the mower). But how much power have you got? One of those takes a lot more power than a 4 disc mower.

Rotary scythe/ cutditioner has flat cutters- takes lots of power, and you've gotta like a lot of dirt in your hay, because it picks up ever mole hill and thoroughly mixes the dirt with the grass.

JNP · Jun 10, 2009

Will be using this on about a 40 hp tractor. I have heard that it takes between 60-70hp to run a 7ft cutditioner so I figure 40hp should run a 4ft model pretty well. I personally have never even seen a used disc mower under 6ft for sale in my area. Even if I could find one I think the purchase cost and matinence costs would be too much for my small operation.

Mike (WA) · Jun 10, 2009

Forgot to mention below- take the back off the flain chopper so the grass just goes out the back. Don't know if it was just my equipment at fault, but I had a flail chopper set up for hay mowing, tried it on my Oliver 1550 diesel (53 HP, supposedly), and it wouldn't cut the mustard.

burnetma · Jun 10, 2009

I have been running a Cut/ditioner for 3 years and never had an issue with dirt in my hay. I do not have ant hills in my area, but we do have woodchuck holes. Very few in my hay fields due to good management.

I find it makes very soft/pallatable hay for horses.

It also dries the hay very quickly.

As other people have stated, it takes 60-70 PTO HP to run a 272 Cut/Ditioner (7').

Cavecritter · Jun 22, 2009

I run a 270 behind a case 830,with pump turned up . i
'wouldn't use anything under 65 horsepower. I made a jig with a 2x6 about five foot long. It has 24 inch legs.

I place the jig under the blades and put a rough 30 degree bevel.from top to bottom. That is about factory.

I paid $100.00 for my mower. It is a tough machine. Even with buying new blades through Shoup,It is cheap to maintain. It is easy to work on . My two cents.

Cutditioner/Rotary Scythe/Flail Mower

JNP

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Mike (WA)

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JNP

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Mike (WA)

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burnetma

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Cavecritter

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