anyone used ebay's flail mower

   / anyone used ebay's flail mower #41  
yes there is a roller on the back, and there is some adjustment, a few inches
 
   / anyone used ebay's flail mower #42  
Also, is there a roller on the back like the Carronis, and if so, how high can you raise it? I'm looking to clear brush in some uneven, somewhat rocky areas.
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I have a Caroni, not a Betst but the roller (which is evident in photos above) does not need to be adjusted on the flail for cutting brush, you just lift the whole flail using the 3PT so the roller is no longer on the ground. For cutting brush the roller can sometimes get in the way as it is harder to push over a bush or small tree when backing up with the roller directly on the ground. Raising the flail until the 3pt is about six inches to a foot off the ground helps the tractor back over the brush and will allow it to be cut. You will be left with 6 to 12 inch stubble when you do it this way but the cure for that is simply to lower the flail and then drive forwards. Sometimes I will clear an area to six inches or so with this backing technique and only later come back to finish up by cutting forwards with the roller on the ground. Of course you can also just cut brush by mowing forwards and if rocks/stumps are an issue then you can elect to raise the mower via 3pt just to minimize the unanticipated contacts. Then once the basic clearing is done and you can see all the big obstructions just lower the flail to the ground and mow over the area again. Works fine either way.
 
   / anyone used ebay's flail mower #43  
I noticed the 68" one isn't listed any more too. There is another brand I have never seen before listed on ebay. An English company is advertising one with free shipping to the US. The mower didn't look to bad until I read the fine print of only having a 7 day warranty.

I hope the guys that do have the Betst machines will keep on posting reviews because I am getting tempted to buy one.
 
   / anyone used ebay's flail mower #44  
OK, I'm going to have to go for one too. I got out-bit on ebay on a used Alamo SHD74, so I put in a make offer of $900 on the 64". Didn't they used to have a 68" one? Seems like I saw that before on the Betst site, it's not there now. Also, is there a roller on the back like the Carronis, and if so, how high can you raise it? I'm looking to clear brush in some uneven, somewhat rocky areas.

Thanks.

BTW, based on the pics you guys are posting, this looks like a lot of machine for the price.

Give Keith a call, I think he lists on ebay only what he has in stock.

I've had mine for a year now, probably 60 or 70 hours on it. A few of the knives hit the bolt heads on neighboring knives, dinging up the knives. Also I have burned off a couple of belts mowing canary reed grass (probably my fault), the stuff is miserable to mow. Where it really shines is cutting brush, it just makes the stuff disappear :)
 

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   / anyone used ebay's flail mower #45  
I picked up a used one of these flail mowers over the weekend. Would anyone know where I might be able to get a manual? Maybe I need to give keith a call.

Also, is the one bolt on the belt cover the only thing holding the cover on? I would like to take a look at the belts and see what kind of shape they are in and also get the size so I can get some spares incase I break one.
 
   / anyone used ebay's flail mower #46  
Are all you folks still happy with your flail mowers from Betst?

I'm thinking of ordering one of these. Looking at the 60" cutting width for my B3030 - that should be ok, right? Hmm, maybe I should go with the 64" cutting width?

Can the grass Y blades handle lawn grass and field grass/weeds? I want one mower that can handle both types. My lawn grass isn't perfectly manicured because I'm on a mountain property, but one mower that can cut around the house and the field grasses and weeds further away from the house would be nice.

Right now I bush hog and push mow, but I added a lot of lawn around the house last year.
 
   / anyone used ebay's flail mower #47  
Well, after 4 years of quietly lurking through this very informative site I figured it's time to finally offer a post.

First a bit of an intro. I bought 7 wooded acres in Western Ky and live 6 hours away near Chicago. I started reading this site to get info on purchasing a tractor. All the great info helped me purchase a new Deere 2520, also in 2007. I have since purchased a King Kutter 60" Boxblade, Bradco 36" 612 trencher, Harbor Freight Quick Hitch, tree grubber and a 2k winch to mount on my ballast box for yanking fallen logs from the woods. The 2009 ice storm has given me the opportunity to do a lot of log moving.

Because I live 6 hours away, my tractor doesn't get much use ~30 hours). And to top it off, my 17 year old son gets most of the seat time. I don'yt mind because I'm thrilled that at his age he still wants to spend his long weekend with the old man

Okay now to get on topic...
I recently purchased the heavy duty (EFGC) 4 ft version of this mower and had a chance to use it. I am very happy with the results. I've included picture (I hope) to show a bit of what this mower can do attached to my 2520. The pic where you see my son mowing shows the height of the weed (background) and the results ater the cut in the foreground.

This thing currently has grass blades and they seem to mulch things up pretty nicely. I still plan to get the hammer blades since we have plenty of small trees to run through. Well that's it for now. Thanks to all fr the great information that you provide. -kybound
 

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   / anyone used ebay's flail mower #48  
I have used mine for several years now with no problems.. Just always make sure the belts are tight before a long day of mowing.. I keep extra belts in the in the shop after burning up a few
 
   / anyone used ebay's flail mower #49  
Give Keith a call, I think he lists on ebay only what he has in stock.

I've had mine for a year now, probably 60 or 70 hours on it. A few of the knives hit the bolt heads on neighboring knives, dinging up the knives. Also I have burned off a couple of belts mowing canary reed grass (probably my fault), the stuff is miserable to mow. Where it really shines is cutting brush, it just makes the stuff disappear :)

My blades are doing the same thing but only on two sets of bolts. but the blade is cutting the lock nut almost in two were yours only the blade is beeing worn.
 
   / anyone used ebay's flail mower #50  
I recently bought a EFGC, 5' flail mower and use it on my B2920. I was a little concerned with the weight of the mower (730lbs) but the 2920 handles it without a problem. The mower seems well made. I live close enough to Betstco that I was able to pick it up myself. Keith had it all assembled, oil included.

So far I've used it to cut 6 acres of 4 to 6 foot tall brush and few large patches of black berries, it did a better job then my 4' brush hog. I did end up with several rooster tails on each pass though, I assume my speed had something to do with that. I plan on mowing the area a second time around the end of October.
 
 
 
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