Wessex flails pass the test

Dealing with large areas of dense vegetation, long grass, brambles and bracken calls for a tough mower. If you're a contractor, estate owner or farmer your mowing needs will be demanding and you want a machine that's capable and one that will stay the distance.

The Wessex AF-120 Flail Mower neatly fits the bill if you're using an ATV or UTV. It will mulch its way through that dense vegetation and maintain forest areas as well, complementing the versatility and 'go anywhere' capability of your quad by performing in the most testing conditions.

You can choose a side mounted (AF) or central mounted (AFC) engine option and 1.2m, 1.5m and 1.6m working widths, with four variants of wheel configuration. This offers a wide range of applications and satisfies the legal requirements of the British HSE. In the standard version the 16 x 6.5 x 8 wheels and tyres sit on the end of the machine, in-line with the rotor, ensuring ground contours are followed accurately.

The machine is well-balanced with minimal weight applied on the drawbar. If the going is wet and boggy there is the option of flotation tyres and if there is a need to regularly cut close to fences and borders you can choose the rear wheel version. There is also a four wheel option for the AF and its close relative the AFC. In this you get the best of both worlds with all four wheels within the width of the machine and, with the weight taken by the wheels, the drawbar is floating, keeping it well within the limitations of the ATV.

The stability of the AFC, with its centrally mounted engine (hence the 'C' designation) is ideally suited to working on steep banks. There's a full-width anti-scalp roller to take the weight of the machine should a wheel drop into a rut. The 5mm steel plate deck offers durability and strength and heavy-duty y-pattern flails effectively mulch material for even distribution.

The other key features include a positive manual drive engagement for high performance and three Z-section drive belts for maximum cutting power. Using a manual clutch makes the system more efficient than a centrifugal clutch in rough work and demanding conditions.

The cutting range is between 10mm and 160mm. Another handy feature is the adjustable drawbar which allows the mower to be offset for cutting to one side of the ATV. A simple screw handle enables the cutting height adjustment and a swivelling ball hitch is fitted for increased safety and, when you want to stop the mower engine instantly, there's a remote kill switch. Wessex International: 01264 345870 www.wessexintl.com