Choosing Between 3 Point Disc Mower and Flail Mower

When you’re looking to mow varying terrain, whether flat or rugged, deciding between a 3 point disc mower and a flail mower is key. Here’s what terrain-specific buyers should know to choose the perfect tool.

What Are Disc Mowers?

Disc mowers use high speed discs—each with blades attached—to cut hay or field grass efficiently. The cutter bar sits high and straight, and the belt tension system drives fast-rotating small discs. A drum mower or traditional sickle bar mower uses fewer moving parts but runs slower and is older technology.

• Transport position is typically lower for field travel.

• Blade changes are simple, and maintenance is minimal.

• Best on flat, open ground for fast hay harvests.

How Flail Mowers Differ on Terrain

A flail mower works with a vertical rotor and many small blades enclosed within a low-profile deck. It excels on slopes, uneven ground, and brushy areas near trees or ditches—not typical domains of disc mowers.

• Heavy duty flail machines like HFS63 offer wide cutting width (63") and durable gearboxes for tough jobs. farmry.com

• Overrunning clutch in the gearbox protects against sudden jams.

• Works safely close to boundaries or ground with debris, preventing thrown objects.

Comparing Key Features

Terrain-Specific Use Cases

1. Flat Hay Fields

Disc mowers are efficient, fast, and cost-effective. Ideal when you need to cut long swaths quickly.

2. Rolling Fields, Slopes, or Brush Patches

Flail mowers—rigid heavy duty machines that follow contours and handle small tree limbs—excel here. For example, the 79″ HFS79 flail mower covers wide areas on uneven ground.

3. Property Edges, Orchard Rows, and Roadside

Flail mowers, especially side-shift models, let you mow right up to tractor tires, fences, or trees—without repositioning.

Farmry’s Terrain-Focused Flail Models

HFS63 Heavy Duty Flail Mower

• Cutting height adjustable, 63″ cutting width, gearbox rated 50 HP, using an overrunning clutch. Works well for ditch banks and brush.

HFS79 & HFS87 Heavy Duty Models

• Wide decks (79″–87″) for large-acreage jobs; rugged enough to handle branches, vines, and rough topography.

MFSS61 Side Shift Flail Mower

• Hydraulic lateral move enables mowing close to fences, ideal for ground contours and tight spaces. Easy maintenance via rear access doors. farmry.com

Maintenance & Setup Tips

• Check belt tension regularly to prevent slippage.

• Inspect and tighten blades to ensure effective, safe cutting.

• Monitor gearbox oil and the overrunning clutch for smooth operation.

• Use the transport position to raise the mower during transit.

• Adjust cutting height based on ground roughness to protect blades and turf.

FAQs

Q1: Is a drum mower the same as a disc mower?
No. A drum mower uses large rotating drums; disc mowers use multiple small high speed discs—faster and more efficient.

Q2: What equipment suits uneven ground?
A flail mower with a low profile cutterbar and vertical rotor can follow terrain contours and resist debris impacts better than disc mowers.

Q3: Are mower conditioners important on disc mowers?
Yes—they crimp hay stems to speed drying, but aren’t needed for flails used primarily for clean mulching.

Q4: Which mower needs more maintenance?
Disc mowers need blade and belt checks. Flails need greasing, blade inspections, and gearbox checks—moderate workload.

Q5: Will flail mowers handle ground-level obstacles?
Yes—thanks to low decks reinforced with skid plates, they tolerate bumps and debris while mowing near the ground surface.

Final Thoughts: Matching Mower to Terrain

For terrain-specific buyers, the best tool depends on field conditions:

• Flat fields & hay → Go with disc mowers for speed and simplicity.

• Uneven ground, slopes & brush → Flail mowers are safer, adaptable, and more heavy duty.

Farmry’s lineup—especially the three models above—offers machines built for durability and terrain performance. Whether you're mowing hay or shaping rugged landscapes, matching mower type to ground conditions ensures efficient, safe results.