Value Leader Implements - OK?

[Norcal M5]

Hi Folks,
I'm searching for a 6' flail mower and find these guys called "Value Leader" that sell a new 68" flail mower, cat I 3 point for $1,550 with free shipping no less. Great value indeed. Only question is, does this stuff last?! I"m going to use it a few times a year in my 3 ac. vineyard.

Anyone have experience with this stuff? I believe it's made in China. Is that a no-no?

Norcal

[flusher]

Hi Folks,
I'm searching for a 6' flail mower and find these guys called "Value Leader" that sell a new 68" flail mower, cat I 3 point for $1,550 with free shipping no less. Great value indeed. Only question is, does this stuff last?! I"m going to use it a few times a year in my 3 ac. vineyard.

Anyone have experience with this stuff? I believe it's made in China. Is that a no-no?

Norcal

I have that 68" flail from VL. Got it last Aug. Used it 3 times on my 6 acre hayfieldso far to mow the stubble down to nothing. Worked fine. Only problem is the grease zerk on the lower pulley--threads are stripped. I need to retap the hole and install a larger zerk. Quality is about what you'd expect from a Chinese product--nothing to write home about, but the parts fit together OK.

For your application and the price, I'd expect you could get 5 years of good service out of one of these units--provided you kept it lubed according to the schedule in the manual. The gear box appears to be pretty stout.

Around here we have thousands of acres of olive, prune plum, almond and English walnut orchards. These are mowed with much larger flails (Vrismo, Alamo, etc). You won't find one of these little 68" flails in those orchards. Those guys really work their flails hard and can't afford down time to fix busted equipment.

[Norcal M5]

Thanks, Flusher. I also see a company called ABI Attachments and they have a Made in USA logo. Anyone familiar with these guys? About $2200 for a 60" tiller.

[Norcal M5]

Now, seeing more. A compnay called Hawkline is a U.S. company and their tillers are only about $1800 delivered. Anyone know about this equipment? Any other suggestions?

[flusher]

Now, seeing more. A compnay called Hawkline is a U.S. company and their tillers are only about $1800 delivered. Anyone know about this equipment? Any other suggestions?

I have a 6-ft Hawkline rotary mower (aka brush hog, bush hog, shredder, slasher). Been using it for the last 3 years. Keep it lubed. Works fine. Well built.

[Norcal M5]

Well, after a season of using the Value Leader mower, I have to say thumbs up so far. Still sounds and feels solid, the blades are all still there. It arrived with nice shiny paint, too. Still too early for conclusions, but looking good so far. The dealer up in Oregon is a good guy too. Note: I noticed that he was moving this one on eBay and I got it for real cheap and it still included the free shipping.