Let's talk flail mowers

[bucmeister]

Iron Horse,

Thanks for the input. I was not clear with the way I stated the original question, I did not mean to swap positions of the current pulleys, but rather to put a somewhat larger one on the gearbox end and a smaller one on the rotor end. Of course all of this would be to overcome and compensate for the fact that I only have a single speed PTO. Trying to get the benefit of a higher speed without having to buy a new tractor.

[Iron Horse]

Originally Posted by bucmeister

Iron Horse,

Thanks for the input. I was not clear with the way I stated the original question, I did not mean to swap positions of the current pulleys, but rather to put a somewhat larger one on the gearbox end and a smaller one on the rotor end. Of course all of this would be to overcome and compensate for the fact that I only have a single speed PTO. Trying to get the benefit of a higher speed without having to buy a new tractor.

If you can find a TaperLock pulley to fit your top shaft and also the housing (you can modify the pulley cover)you can speed up the rotor and lower the engine revs accordingly . Do'nt go smaller on the bottom pully as you will find it is allready at the belts diametre limit . If you exceed this limit the belts will fail ie. if they are cog type belts you will see the cogs are nearly touching each other as they wrap around the bottom pulley .

[Iron Horse]

Well all you guys with your new flails , what has been the results ? Are you happy with your new toys ? Do they perform as expected ? Where are the photos ?

[sunspot]

Okay, I'll try a report. To summarize, I give the Caroni good marks. Although the flail is bigger than the Rotary Mower it replaced, it uses less HP. So far, it has not bogged down.
On fire ant mounds, the RM would strain a bit. With the flail, I only hear a different pitch of sound. It rips right through them.
There have been very few scalps compared to a RM. Because it rides on a 6' roller, it doesn't jounce around on every little hole or dip.
What else? It's quieter than a RM but hearing protection is still needed, at least for me.
It will cut 1" saplings but sometimes you will need to back up for a second pass to get it fully chopped up.
It also helps to cut into a windrow because of the offset.
I used it on the front yard grass and at a slow speed, it cuts nice and smooth. Not as good as a lawn mower with sharp blades but quite acceptable.

On the downside, I hear a slight thump on each revolution of the PTO shaft. I can only hear it when I have earmuffs on.
When mowing Argentina Bahia grass, the flail will miss a fair amount of the seed stalk. It does cut all the seed head but leaves some "stubble" of stalks. I have to go at a slow speed for better cutting of the stalks.

That's all that comes to mind right now and I'll load a picture this weekend.

[davitk]

Originally Posted by Iron Horse

Well all you guys with your new flails , what has been the results ? Are you happy with your new toys ? Do they perform as expected ? Where are the photos ?

My chinese Hanmey (BETST) has been very satisfactory, smooth and quiet, doesn't finish mow like I had hoped (grass is too thick) but handles light brush and field grass with ease. Best 800.00 I've spent on the farm.

[Nuru]

Originally Posted by davitk

My chinese Hanmey (BETST) has been very satisfactory, smooth and quiet, doesn't finish mow like I had hoped (grass is too thick) but handles light brush and field grass with ease. Best 800.00 I've spent on the farm.

I am still looking to go round two with mine. After I get my big unit back! LOL!

[texbaylea]

I alternate mowing directions when mowing lawn grass to get those stalks that are left and that which springs back up from wheel pressure. The coarser grasses and light brush cut clean.

Vernon

[sunspot]

Originally Posted by sunspot

It also helps to cut into a windrow because of the offset

I meant Under a hedgerow.

[Iron Horse]

Thank's chaps , just remember there is a learning curve involved with flail mowing . It took me quite a while to learn all the idiosyncrasies of setup , speed , RPM'S , which gear to use to keep the engine on song etc . But you do have a lot of information posted in these pages by IslandTractor and others to help you that you wont find in the manual .

[Nuru]

Originally Posted by Iron Horse

Thank's chaps , just remember there is a learning curve involved with flail mowing . It took me quite a while to learn all the idiosyncrasies of setup , speed , RPM'S , which gear to use to keep the engine on song etc . But you do have a lot of information posted in these pages by IslandTractor and others to help you that you wont find in the manual .

No kidding that is why I keep coming back to this thread, good info. i plan to try my flail out on increasing my mowing areas. - brush work