Choosing a flail mower: which one fits your tractor?

The short answer

You choose a flail mower based on three things: where you mow, how wide you want to mow and how much power your tractor has. For open ground, a standard flail mower behind the tractor is enough. If you mow along fences, under trees or next to paths, a sideshift model is more practical. For ditch banks, slopes and hedges, choose an offset flail mower on a hydraulic arm.

After that, always check that the required power, the hitch category and the PTO of the mower match the specifications of your compact tractor.

What is a flail mower and when do you need one?

A flail mower cuts with a rotating shaft fitted with flails. The flails cut the vegetation and chop it up straight away (mulching), after which the clippings are discharged at the rear and stay on the field as a fine layer.

Knegt flail mowers are designed for heavy mowing work. Tall, coarse vegetation on uneven ground is no problem, and thin branches are chopped up as well. That is why they are widely used by fruit growers and tree nurseries, but also for verges, rough ground, nature areas, horse paddocks and the upkeep of yards and paths.

The main difference from a pasture topper lies in the cutting system. A pasture topper cuts with a few rotating blades and is meant to keep pastures tidy after grazing. A flail mower works with many flails across the full working width, chops the clippings more finely and copes better with rough growth and prunings. If you are torn between the two, the type of vegetation is usually what decides.

Standard, sideshift or offset: the three versions

Knegt supplies flail mowers in three versions. All three are mounted on the three-point linkage and driven by the PTO.

• Flail mower (KM series): the standard version that mows directly behind the tractor. Suitable for larger, open areas. Available as KM125, KM145, KM155, KM175, KM200 and KM220. A telescopic PTO shaft is supplied as standard.

• Sideshift flail mower (KMSS series): the mower shifts 40 cm sideways hydraulically, so you can mow both behind and beside the tractor, for example under a fence or under crops. Available as KMSS125, KMSS145, KMSS175 and KMSS220.

• Offset flail mower (KMVN series): the mower sits on a hydraulic arm and can tilt up and down, so you can mow sloping ditch banks, embankments and hedges. Available as KMVN125, KMVN145 and KMVN165, and in a heavier Heavy Duty version, KMVN140HD, KMVN160HD and KMVN180HD, for professional use.

How to choose the right flail mower in 5 steps

• Define the job: open ground, edges along fences and planting, or ditch banks and hedges. This decides whether you need a standard, sideshift or offset version.

• Choose the working width: a wider mower works faster on large plots, a narrower one is more manoeuvrable between trees, stables and fences. Also consider the track width of your tractor so that the mower covers the wheel tracks.

• Compare the power: every flail mower has a stated power requirement. Choose a mower for which your tractor has enough power, even in heavy growth.

• Check the hitch: look at the linkage category (category 1 or 2), the PTO speed (540 rpm) and the lift capacity of your tractor. A mower weighing several hundred kilos hangs behind the tractor and must be lifted safely.

• Look at the hydraulics: a sideshift has a hydraulic side shift and an offset flail mower is operated hydraulically via two double-acting connections. Check that your tractor has those connections.

Unsure about any of these points? Your Knegt dealer can check the tractor and mower combination for you.

Power required per Knegt flail mower

According to the specifications on the Knegt website, the flail mowers require the following power:

• Sideshift KMSS125: working width 125 cm, from 25 hp, weight 317 kg

• Sideshift KMSS145: working width 145 cm, from 25 hp, weight 352 kg

• Sideshift KMSS175: working width 175 cm, from 40 hp, weight 359 kg

• Sideshift KMSS220: working width 220 cm, from 50 hp, weight 500 kg

• Offset KMVN125, KMVN145 and KMVN165: working width 125, 145 and 165 cm, from 30 hp, weight 250 to 270 kg

• Offset Heavy Duty KMVN140HD, KMVN160HD and KMVN180HD: category 2, from 50, 60 and 70 hp, weight 490 to 590 kg

All sideshift and offset models use hammer flails (spoon hammers on the Heavy Duty version) and a freewheel in the drive. For the exact specifications of the standard KM series, please ask your dealer.

Knegt builds its own compact tractors from 25 to 65 hp, both diesel and electric. An electric Knegt compact tractor can also be combined with a flail mower. Which mower suits your model best depends on that tractor's power, lift capacity and connections.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a flail mower and a pasture topper?

A flail mower chops the vegetation finely with many flails and can also handle rough growth and thin branches. A pasture topper cuts with a few blades and is mainly intended for keeping pastures tidy.

Can I mow beside the tractor with a flail mower?

Yes, with a sideshift or offset version. The sideshift moves sideways hydraulically, while the offset flail mower sits on a tilting arm for ditch banks and hedges.

Does a flail mower have a collector?

Knegt flail mowers mulch the clippings and discharge them at the rear, so they stay finely chopped on the field. If you want to remove the clippings, discuss a suitable solution with your dealer.

Is the PTO shaft included?

A telescopic PTO shaft is supplied as standard with Knegt flail mowers.

Advice on the right combination

Would you like to know which flail mower best suits your tractor and your land? Request a free demo and see the combination at work on your own ground. Prefer to talk first? Book an advice session, request a quote or find a Knegt dealer near you. That way you can be sure that power, working width and hitch are matched.