Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[CT Griz]

I bet you were real happy whacking the weeds close to the water line.

I forgot to ask you if your wheel tracks disappeared after two days.

You will be able to plant/spread grass seed to make the turf even
better if the snow melts quickly this week-assuming you have snow
in Lyme.

_________________________________________________________________
Once you go flail you never go back:thumbsup::licking::drool:

We got some snow, but it was only an inch or so. I didn't have many spots where I even had wheel tracks. I have the mower shifted so I can get out over the edge of the ponds, and it's fun to watch it turn into nothing. I did notice that when I was mowing my normal grass that I was getting groves from the flail, like stripes. I guess I need to lower the side skids to prevent this. The good news is I don't have to worry about dethatching now!

 

[leonz]

We got some snow, but it was only an inch or so. I didn't have many spots where I even had wheel tracks. I have the mower shifted so I can get out over the edge of the ponds, and it's fun to watch it turn into nothing. I did notice that when I was mowing my normal grass that I was getting groves from the flail, like stripes. I guess I need to lower the side skids to prevent this. The good news is I don't have to worry about dethatching now!

Check the tips of the grass slicers to be sure they have not been dulled.
I love it when a plan comes together:thumbsup:

 

[nckennedy]

Help discussion.
Are the L or Y shapped cutters considered rough cut while the "cup" style considered fine cut blades? Still confussed by this and interested in understanding this before lookng for a rough cut flail.
Thanks,
nck

 

[nckennedy]

Helpful discussion.
Are the L or Y shapped cutters considered rough cut while the "cup" style considered fine cut blades? Still confussed by this and interested in understanding this before lookng for a rough cut flail.
Thanks,
nck

 

[IslandTractor]

Helpful discussion.
Are the L or Y shapped cutters considered rough cut while the "cup" style considered fine cut blades? Still confussed by this and interested in understanding this before lookng for a rough cut flail.
Thanks,
nck

The cup style knives are finish cut. Y shaped are also typically finish at least within the Caroni line. The L shaped can be either finish or rough cut and are mounted in pairs. On the Caroni they are used as rough cut. The last type, the forged or cast "hammers" are I believe either finish or rough but I've never used them.

 

[GinNB]

Fine cut often refers to the number of knife stations on the cuttershaft. Coarse cut has fewer stations. The Mott coarse cut shafts have one Y blade per inch (a two blade station pair does two inches).

 

[leonz]

Helpful discussion.
Are the L or Y shapped cutters considered rough cut while the "cup" style considered fine cut blades? Still confussed by this and interested in understanding this before lookng for a rough cut flail.
Thanks,
nck

The paddle type/very wide scoop knives are ment for agricultultural crop shredding,

The narrower scoop knives are ment for either grass or light brush.

The Y blade grass slicers which also look like an L knive are ment for rough or fine grass cutting dependjng upon whether they are a standard grade, hardened, or carbide coated grass slicer.

The towed motorised flailmowers offered in Europe may have a heat treated/ heavy duckbill hammer knive or a Y blade grass slicer for fine and rough cutting in verges/ roadway mowing or pasture/overgrowth

Please let us know what type of mowing/brush control work you are intent on persuing with a flail mower before you make any decisions.

 

[nckennedy]

HI Guys,
Thanks for your input. So I am concluding from what has been said is that the fine vs the rough has as much to do with the spacing of the blades as it does the style of the blades, is that correct?
I attached a picture of some blades which I though were Y style, but now I am not sure. Can you identify the style from this photo?

We have a old bush hog that we use for pasture, creekside, around fruit trees, etc. Some brush, but not very often. Looking now for a flail mower that we think will leave a cleaner look more lawn like, without the wind-row. Also esier to store and handle since it is designed close to the rear wheels. Like the idea that some have a ft or two overhange on the right side so you get a littel closer to fence post,etc. Seem to have some high grass, because for one reason or other we don't get at it as fast as we should. Has some Timothy, clover, etc. So assume a rough style cutter would be better, in fact, we did try an Ford flail mower, handled really nice, but we were told after buying it that was a "finish" mower. Burned up some belts and didn't cut well at all. Probably needed sharpening. Ha.
Thanks for any suggestions.
nck


View attachment Flail mower cutters.bmp]

 

[dieselscout80]

HI Guys,
Thanks for your input. So I am concluding from what has been said is that the fine vs the rough has as much to do with the spacing of the blades as it does the style of the blades, is that correct?
I attached a picture of some blades which I though were Y style, but now I am not sure. Can you identify the style from this photo?

We have a old bush hog that we use for pasture, creekside, around fruit trees, etc. Some brush, but not very often. Looking now for a flail mower that we think will leave a cleaner look more lawn like, without the wind-row. Also esier to store and handle since it is designed close to the rear wheels. Like the idea that some have a ft or two overhange on the right side so you get a littel closer to fence post,etc. Seem to have some high grass, because for one reason or other we don't get at it as fast as we should. Has some Timothy, clover, etc. So assume a rough style cutter would be better, in fact, we did try an Ford flail mower, handled really nice, but we were told after buying it that was a "finish" mower. Burned up some belts and didn't cut well at all. Probably needed sharpening. Ha.
Thanks for any suggestions.
nck


View attachment 236803]

Those are the blades/knives from a Ford 917 flail mower. Flailmaster has them as well as New Holland.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/118882-lets-talk-flail-mowers-98.html#post2070762

 

[nckennedy]

Ok, thanks,
Do they cut ok in higher grass?
nck