Rotary mowers are more versatile than reel type mowers. They have the ability to mow not only tall turf but also weeds and to mulch dry leaves. They are, however, not suitable for mowing turfs below 1 in. Flail and sickle-bar mowers. Two additional mower types are often used on low-maintenance turf.
Flail mowers have a horizontally aligned shaft with vertical rotating blades.
This type of mower will provide some give when coming in contact with a solid object and is used to cut tall growth up to 12 in. above the cutting height. A sickle-bar mower provides a finer cut through a scissors action between a moving cutting blade and a stationary one. The movement between blades is in a horizontal plane. Sickle-bar mowers are generally used to cut tall turf with the cutting units extended off the side of a tractor. Growth Retardation of Turf Chemical growth inhibitors of turfgrasses, when applied at the appropriate time can help reduce the normal mowing frequency during periods of maximum growth.