BCS 30″ RollerBlade Flail Mower

Description

BCS 30″ RollerBlade Flail Mower

The RollerBlade is BCS’s flail mower for market gardeners. BCS recommends that growers seriously consider it for shredding cover crops, because its design produces finer residue in a single pass, which breaks down faster before the next planting. It is built in a 30 inch width only and fits the 739 and larger tractors.

A Full-Length Roller

Instead of skids or caster wheels, the RollerBlade rides on a full-length roller set by a crank handle, giving infinitely variable mowing heights from half an inch upward. The roller keeps the mower from scalping at its lowest setting, even on soft soil or raised beds. Because it sits closer to the tractor’s wheels than casters would, the machine is shorter overall and crosses rough ground such as V-ditches more easily.

Lower Dome, Heavier Blades

The RollerBlade’s housing has a lower dome than the standard BladeRunner, and its blades are wider and thicker. Material is held close to the rotor and struck more often, so particle size is smaller after one pass. That is the whole point for cover crops: finer residue means quicker decomposition and less material clogging a tiller afterwards.

RollerBlade Fitment

• Width: 30″ only
• Height: set by roller crank, from 0.5″ up
• Tractors: 739, 749, 779, 852, 853; HD 2-bolt bushing on the 750 and 889
• Not charted for: 710, 718, 722, 732

Timing the Cover Crop Mow

Many growers mow cover crops at flowering, when the plants have produced the most biomass but before they set seed. Mow on a dry day, leave the residue on the surface for a week or two to wilt and begin breaking down, then incorporate it shallowly. The RollerBlade carries three years residential and one year commercial coverage.

Which Flail Mower

Because of its lower dome and limited maximum height, BCS still recommends the standard 30 inch BladeRunner for all-purpose mowing, including tall, dense growth. Choose the RollerBlade where cover crops and bed work are the main use.