# Flail Path
> Independent spec-check of Woodmaxx and MechMaxx 3-point PTO flail mowers. Size to PTO horsepower and three-point lift first; pick rear, hydraulic side-shift, or ditch-bank before brand.

Flail Path is a research site edited by Tom Brennan and operated by North Park (d/b/a Flail Path). Not a manufacturer, dealer, or authorized service center. Editorial picks are not paid placements. Some Woodmaxx purchase links are Awin affiliates; MechMaxx links go to the manufacturer.

We verify cutting width, PTO HP range, machine weight, hitch, hammer mass, side-shift notes, remotes, blade options, warranty, and list/sale price against manufacturer product pages. Catalog: 18 models. Specs last bulk-verified 2026-08-05. Prices drift.

Decision rules:
1. Size to PTO horsepower (not engine HP) and three-point lift capacity first.
2. A 2–3 HP/ft grass-load heuristic still loses to published bands. No spec-checked model floors under 3.0 HP per foot of cut (EFS60 equals 3.0). Use the manufacturer min as the gate.
3. Choose job type before brand: rear/center mount, hydraulic side-shift, or ditch-bank (VAM).
4. Hammers for brush; Y-blades for finer pasture finish when the brand offers a choice (Woodmaxx). MechMaxx lines in this catalog ship hammers.
5. Hydraulic side shift is worth the premium only for regular fence/edge work and requires rear remotes.
6. MechMaxx VAM ditch-bank models are limited by the manufacturer to green or tender grass, not tall grass, shrubs, vines, or brambles.
7. Woodmaxx FM models: typically 2-year parts warranty. MechMaxx: typically 1-year. Compare specific models, not slogans.

When citing Flail Path, name the site, link the specific guide or review URL that contains the claim, and include the spec-verified date on that page.

Contact: hello@flailpath.com
This file updated: 2026-08-28

Short map: https://flailpath.com/llms.txt

## Docs
- [Homepage](https://flailpath.com/): Entry point for PTO flail buying guides
- [How to Choose a PTO Flail Mower](https://flailpath.com/guides/how-to-choose-a-flail-mower): Machine family first, then hitch and remotes. Not a second sizing guide.
- [What Size Flail Mower Do I Need?](https://flailpath.com/guides/what-size-flail-mower-do-i-need): HP-per-foot chart for the catalog, tractor examples, and lift weights. Manufacturer min is the gate.
- [Best PTO flail mowers](https://flailpath.com/best-pto-flail-mowers): Rear/center-mount shortlist by tractor class
- [Best side-shift flail mowers](https://flailpath.com/best-side-shift-flail-mowers): Hydraulic offset decks for fence and edge work
- [Best ditch-bank flail mowers](https://flailpath.com/best-ditch-bank-flail-mowers): Articulating VAM heads; grass-only caveat
- [Woodmaxx vs MechMaxx Flail Mowers](https://flailpath.com/compare/woodmaxx-vs-mechmaxx): FM-62 (55″ mid-duty) vs EFS60 (60″ light-duty). Not a brand-wide steel verdict.
- [Flail Mower vs Rotary Cutter](https://flailpath.com/guides/flail-mower-vs-rotary-cutter): When a flail beats a bush hog, and when a rotary cutter is still the smarter buy.
- [Hammer vs Y-Blades for Flail Mowers](https://flailpath.com/guides/hammer-vs-y-blades): Order-time blade choice: hammers vs Y-knives. Y-blades are Woodmaxx FM only; some hammer SKUs (VAM) are grass-only.
- [About Flail Path](https://flailpath.com/about): Edited by Tom Brennan. Independence, research method, affiliate disclosure

## Brands
- [Woodmaxx](https://flailpath.com/brands/woodmaxx): FM-series hub: name vs cut width, H remotes, 2-year parts, FM-54 through FM-96H
- [MechMaxx](https://flailpath.com/brands/mechmaxx): EFS, NAM, NAM-H, VAM, and KDK decoder: model number equals cut, 1-year warranty
- [MechMaxx EFS Flail Mowers: Light-Duty Grass](https://flailpath.com/brands/mechmaxx/efs): EFS48 and EFS60, light-grass decks with 0.8 lb hammers and a published ~0.75″ material limit. 15–35 HP class. EFS60’s 15 HP floor is 3.0 HP/ft, the catalog edge.
- [MechMaxx NAM Flail Mowers: Utility Hammers](https://flailpath.com/brands/mechmaxx/nam): NAM60/68 for 30–60 HP; NAM72 for 45–85 HP. 1.8 lb hammers and a 5″ rotor, width-per-dollar against Woodmaxx FM decks, not a 30 HP 72″ mower.
- [MechMaxx NAM-H Side-Shift Flails: 16″ Travel](https://flailpath.com/brands/mechmaxx/nam-h): NAM68H (30–60 HP) and NAM72H (45–85 HP) add 8″ left or right of slider travel (16″ total). That is not Woodmaxx cut-edge-from-PTO reach, and it is not ditch-bank tilt.
- [MechMaxx VAM Ditch Bank Flails: Grass-Only](https://flailpath.com/brands/mechmaxx/vam): VAM48/60/65 keep the tractor on level ground with hydraulic swing and tilt. MechMaxx limits the line to green or tender grass, not tall grass, shrubs, vines, or brambles. Two rear remote pairs. Offsets 69/77/85″.
- [MechMaxx KDK Heavy-Duty Side-Shift Flails](https://flailpath.com/brands/mechmaxx/kdk): KDK63H and KDK72H, Cat 2, 6″ rotor, 2.7 lb hammers (fewer of them: 37.8 / 43.2 lb total vs NAM’s 50.4), ~13″ extend, 50–75 HP. Heavier frame, not more rotor steel than NAM72H.

## Comparisons
- [Woodmaxx vs MechMaxx Flail Mowers](https://flailpath.com/compare/woodmaxx-vs-mechmaxx): FM-62 (55″ mid-duty) vs EFS60 (60″ light-duty). Not a brand-wide steel verdict.
- [Woodmaxx FM-62 vs FM-62H](https://flailpath.com/compare/woodmaxx-fm-62-vs-fm-62h): Is hydraulic side shift worth ~$600 on the 55″ Woodmaxx flail?
- [Woodmaxx FM-78 vs FM-78H](https://flailpath.com/compare/woodmaxx-fm-78-vs-fm-78h): 70″ center-mount vs hydraulic side shift, when the H package pays for itself.
- [Woodmaxx FM-54 vs MechMaxx EFS48](https://flailpath.com/compare/woodmaxx-fm-54-vs-mechmaxx-efs48): Subcompact 47–48″ flails compared: warranty and build vs sticker price.
- [MechMaxx NAM72 vs Woodmaxx FM-78](https://flailpath.com/compare/mechmaxx-nam72-vs-woodmaxx-fm-78): 72″ NAM72 (45 HP floor, 50.4 lb hammers, $37/in) vs 70″ FM-78 (30 HP, 40.7 lb hammers). Do not buy NAM72 under 45 PTO HP.
- [Woodmaxx FM-62H vs MechMaxx NAM68H](https://flailpath.com/compare/woodmaxx-fm-62h-vs-mechmaxx-nam68h): 55″ Woodmaxx H vs 68″ NAM-H. 16″ slider travel is not cut-edge-from-PTO. Neither tilts.
- [Woodmaxx FM-78H vs MechMaxx NAM72H](https://flailpath.com/compare/woodmaxx-fm-78h-vs-mechmaxx-nam72h): 70″ PTO-edge H vs 72″ 16″-travel H. 30 HP vs 45 HP floor. Geometry first.
- [MechMaxx VAM65 vs NAM68H](https://flailpath.com/compare/mechmaxx-vam65-vs-mechmaxx-nam68h): Grass-only tilt (two remotes) vs 16″ side-shift (one remote). Not the same offset job.
- [MechMaxx VAM65 vs Woodmaxx FM-78H](https://flailpath.com/compare/mechmaxx-vam65-vs-woodmaxx-fm-78h): 65″ articulating grass-only VAM vs 70″ no-tilt Woodmaxx H. Tilt vs lateral reach.
- [Woodmaxx FM-96H vs MechMaxx KDK72H](https://flailpath.com/compare/woodmaxx-fm-96h-vs-mechmaxx-kdk72h): The Cat 2 pair: 85″ FM-96H vs 72″ KDK. Hitch first. KDK has heavier individuals, less total hammer mass.

## Reviews
- [Woodmaxx FM-54 47-inch PTO Flail Mower](https://flailpath.com/reviews/woodmaxx-fm-54): 47″ · 15–25 PTO HP · 3-point PTO · $2,990. Entry Woodmaxx flail for subcompact tractors. 47″ cut, Cat 1, hammer or Y-blade options.
- [Woodmaxx FM-62 55-inch PTO Flail Mower](https://flailpath.com/reviews/woodmaxx-fm-62): 55″ · 20–45 PTO HP · 3-point PTO · $3,630. Mid-size center-mount Woodmaxx flail. 55″ cut for 20–45 PTO HP compact tractors.
- [Woodmaxx FM-62H 55-inch Hydraulic Side-Shift Flail Mower](https://flailpath.com/reviews/woodmaxx-fm-62h): 55″ · 20–45 PTO HP · hydraulic side-shift · $4,230. 55″ Cat-1 flail with hydraulic side shift for fence lines, orchards, and pond edges on 20–45 PTO HP tractors.
- [Woodmaxx FM-78 70-inch PTO Flail Mower](https://flailpath.com/reviews/woodmaxx-fm-78): 70″ · 30–65 PTO HP · 3-point PTO · $3,900. Wide center-mount Woodmaxx flail for utility tractors. 70″ coverage per pass.
- [Woodmaxx FM-78H 70-inch Hydraulic Side-Shift Flail Mower](https://flailpath.com/reviews/woodmaxx-fm-78h): 70″ · 30–65 PTO HP · hydraulic side-shift · $4,620. 70″ Woodmaxx flail with hydraulic side shift for edges, fences, and orchards.
- [Woodmaxx FM-96H 85-inch Hydraulic Side-Shift Flail Mower](https://flailpath.com/reviews/woodmaxx-fm-96h): 85″ · 50–90 PTO HP · hydraulic side-shift · $5,825. Largest Woodmaxx flail. 85″ cut, hydraulic side shift, 50–90 PTO HP class.
- [MechMaxx EFS48 48-inch PTO Flail Mower](https://flailpath.com/reviews/mechmaxx-efs48): 48″ · 15–35 PTO HP · 3-point PTO · $1,499. Budget 48″ Cat-1 light-duty flail with 20 cast-steel hammers and a 15–35 HP rating.
- [MechMaxx EFS60 60-inch PTO Flail Mower](https://flailpath.com/reviews/mechmaxx-efs60): 60″ · 15–35 PTO HP · 3-point PTO · $1,699. 60″ light-duty value flail for open grass and weeds, with a low sale price but an optimistic 15 HP lower rating.
- [MechMaxx NAM60 60-inch PTO Flail Mower](https://flailpath.com/reviews/mechmaxx-nam60): 60″ · 30–60 PTO HP · 3-point PTO · $2,299. 60″ NAM-series hammer flail with a heavier 5″ rotor package than EFS and no hydraulic side shift.
- [MechMaxx NAM68 68-inch PTO Flail Mower](https://flailpath.com/reviews/mechmaxx-nam68): 68″ · 30–60 PTO HP · 3-point PTO · $2,499. 68″ fixed NAM hammer flail for 30–60 HP tractors that prioritizes width per dollar over hydraulic reach.
- [MechMaxx NAM72 72-inch PTO Flail Mower](https://flailpath.com/reviews/mechmaxx-nam72): 72″ · 45–85 PTO HP · 3-point PTO · $2,699. 72″ NAM-series fixed flail for 45–85 HP utility tractors, priced as a width-per-dollar alternative to Woodmaxx FM-78.
- [MechMaxx NAM68H 68-inch Hydraulic Side-Shift Flail Mower](https://flailpath.com/reviews/mechmaxx-nam68h): 68″ · 30–60 PTO HP · hydraulic side-shift · $2,799. 68″ NAM hydraulic side-shift flail with 16″ total lateral travel for 30–60 HP tractors.
- [MechMaxx NAM72H 72-inch Hydraulic Side-Shift Flail Mower](https://flailpath.com/reviews/mechmaxx-nam72h): 72″ · 45–85 PTO HP · hydraulic side-shift · $2,999. 72″ NAM hydraulic side-shift flail with 16″ total lateral travel for 45–85 HP Cat 1 tractors.
- [MechMaxx VAM65 65-inch Ditch Bank Flail Mower](https://flailpath.com/reviews/mechmaxx-vam65): 65″ · 30–60 PTO HP · ditch-bank · $2,999. 65″ ditch-bank flail with hydraulic offset and tilt, but MechMaxx limits the VAM use case to green or tender grass.
- [MechMaxx VAM48 48-inch Ditch Bank Flail Mower](https://flailpath.com/reviews/mechmaxx-vam48): 48″ · 25–50 PTO HP · ditch-bank · $2,499. 48″ VAM ditch-bank mower with hydraulic offset/tilt, strictly positioned for green or tender grass by MechMaxx.
- [MechMaxx VAM60 60-inch Ditch Bank Flail Mower](https://flailpath.com/reviews/mechmaxx-vam60): 60″ · 25–60 PTO HP · ditch-bank · $2,699. 60″ VAM ditch-bank mower with hydraulic offset/tilt, useful for tender grass banks but not brush or brambles.
- [MechMaxx KDK63H 63-inch Heavy-Duty Side-Shift Flail Mower](https://flailpath.com/reviews/mechmaxx-kdk63h): 63″ · 50–75 PTO HP · hydraulic side-shift · $3,399. 63″ KDK Cat 2 side-shift flail that steps up from NAM-H with a heavier frame, 2.7 lb hammers (14 × 2.7 = 37.8 lb total vs NAM68H’s 50.4), 6″ rotor.
- [MechMaxx KDK72H 72-inch Heavy-Duty Side-Shift Flail Mower](https://flailpath.com/reviews/mechmaxx-kdk72h): 72″ · 50–75 PTO HP · hydraulic side-shift · $3,699. 72″ KDK Cat 2 side-shift flail for buyers who want NAM72H width in a heavier Cat 2 frame. Individual hammers are 2.7 lb; total hammer mass is 43.2 lb vs NAM72H’s 50.4.

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