Flail Mower FM2060 flail mower in the yard

[brandoro]

The local Kubota/Landpride dealer finally got a flail mower in, took the tractor in today and took the mower for a test drive. All there was to cut was some longish grass along the ditch but it seemed to work well enough. I was fairly well convinced it would suit my needs (wants ) based on all the posts I have read here.
Took it home and spent a couple of hours playing, err testing, on trails I had opened up with a rental brush mower. Violent machine but it turns trails that you might walk carefully wearing long pants and boots into trails you could walk in sandals and shorts. Still quite a bit of deadfall to be cleaned up but it turns all the punji sticks left by the brush mower into mulch. I'll try to wait for a cooler day to continue cleaning up trails, it was 30C here today, that's 86F for y'all down south. I know that isn't too hot for some of you but above average here.
I know, you need pictures, the camera is in the truck too so I have no excuse. Anyway, it's a sturdy machine. Two hours + of thrashing through the bush and it barely took any paint off the knives. The literature says it will cut up to 1" material, I can tell you that 1" is no trouble at all for it.

 

[Eagleview]

That's great , you will go through a learning curve on what speed to use , what height to use and how wide you should have the rear door . Just out of curiosity , would you mind feeling the temps on the belt cover for us ? Does it use knives or cast hammers ?

 

[Ductape]

I appreciate that you will get some pictures psted for us today !

 

[davitk]

So you bought a new LANDPRIDE flail mower? Full write-up with pics is required to proceed any further

 

[brandoro]

That's great , you will go through a learning curve on what speed to use , what height to use and how wide you should have the rear door . Just out of curiosity , would you mind feeling the temps on the belt cover for us ? Does it use knives or cast hammers ?

This one uses knives, three per pivot. One knife turned one way and two the other. Supposed to make a smoother cut.
Never thought about the belts getting very warm, can this be an indication of a problem? Too much heat there and the belts are slipping maybe?
As delivered the rear door is closed at the top and has a little over an inch, 25-30mm gap between it and the scraper on the rear roller. I see there are several positions available for adjustment. I noticed yesterday when cutting there was a fairly steady fan of small material coming out the back. What would indicate the need for more or less opening? I did adjust the top link to increase the ground clearance a bit, since these trails have just been opened up there are some rough spots where the flail was doing some levelling.
Any information on settings or things to watch for gratefully accepted. I have never used one of these before and it was the first one the dealer had on their lot so not much help there. I expect they will be asking me about it next time I am in.

 

[brandoro]

I'm back. Sorry for the long wait but I have been busy. Supposed to be on holidays but looks like I will have to go back to work to get some rest.
Attached are before and after photos of a trail I took the flail over. Should have moved the deadfall but just lifted over it. Lots more deadfall, some wasn't dead, now. We had a big storm, wind, hail, lots of rain. A tornado was officially sighted about 10 miles east of here. I have trees down all over the place and one vehicle damaged. Fortunately no trees fell on buildings or vehicles, hail damage on one vehicle.
Iron Horse asked about the temperature of the belt housing, after about a half hour of heavy cutting I checked, the housing was a bit warmer than my hand. I would say this is acceptable. I also opened up the back one setting, lots more material is ejected from there now but still doesn't travel far. Don't think I will open it any more, doesn't seem to be a need for that. If was cutting close to people or windows I think I would close it back up.