Flail Mower Caroni TL1500FSC Flail Observations

[leonz]

Follow up on my attempts at mowing yucca with my MF 1526 and Caroni. Here's what the stuff looks like. These are some medium sized ones which when mowed over will pull the engine RPM down from the normal 2600 at 540 PTO speed to about 1800 RPM.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=285979&d=1351098747&thumb=1&stc=1


Here's a big one one that I was working on. This thing had killed the engine three times at this point.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=285978&d=1351098745&thumb=1&stc=1

Finally got it down as far as I could by going over it slowly and dropping the 3-pt about an inch at a time. About fifteen minutes total on this one big yucca. I've probably got 50-100 of them about this size. The flail mower chops it up into something that looks a lot like the old excelsior type packing material, if anyone remembers that stuff.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=285977&d=1351098743&thumb=1&stc=1

Overall I think the Caroni can probably handle this stuff, but my tractor doesn't really have enough horsepower for it. The 20 PTO horsepower that is really about 17hp at my elevation probably needs to be about 25 real horsepower. On the other hand, it is all I need for most of my ground and I really like the physical tractor size. Also I wonder if I might have done better with the Caroni that has fewer cutters. At any rate it is supposed to snow on Friday, so I've put the mower to bed for the winter.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=285976&d=1351098741&thumb=1&stc=1

Dont quit yet,


First thing first you can lower the mowers
rear roller and in effect raise the cutting
hieght of the mower to start knocking
them all down quickly.

You can remove two opposing rows of knives
to get the job done with no issues if you wish
to leave a lower mowing height too.

Once you get the stumps of the Yucca's exposed
they should die right off and then you can put the
other two rows of knives back on to go back to serious
mowing and brush management.



I love it when a plan comes together

 

[sleibacher]

Rusty, thanks for the details. I have a Kubota B7510 and also have considered the Caroni TL1500FSC Flail Mower. Sounds like a good fit. We only have 2 acres to mow weekly in late spring and summer months but it is far from landscaped lawn and have pretty much gone through 2 "King Kutter" type finishing mowers in the past 20 years. Getting tired or replacing wheels and bearings several times a year. Time for a new unit and have strongly been considering the Caroni TL1500FSC Flail. Would you consider using this unit as a replacement to a finishing mower for a yard around the house in a rural area where no one is expecting a "golf course quality" finish?

 

[Rusty]

sleibacher - I have not used my flail to mow my lawn, but my initial answer is that I would consider the flail for a lawn, but I would prefer a mmm, at least for my lawn. I have about three acres that I mow as a finish lawn. There are many trees, fences and other things to mow around and along. I also have slight dips and rises to mow over. I believe that I would have to adjust my mowing patterns to accommodate the flail mowers rear roller. Also, I prefer sitting on top of the mmm, rather than pulling the flail behind me for this type of "close" work.

Have you considered a mmm deck? I have a RCK60-24B deck that is now ten years old and has probably 1,300 hours on it. My deck has held up quite well. I did replace the front wheel/tire assemblies and axles several years ago, but other than that it is original. My deck is ground-contact, but I believe there is also a "Lawn Special" suspended deck for the B7510. A new mmm deck will be more expensive, I paid $2,000 for my deck in 2003. I have seen several used RCK60-24B decks advertised for sale recently that seemed to be reasonably priced.

Best wishes with your decision!

 

[Sub-Cadet68]

I'm about ready to pull the trigger on this Caroni flail for my Cub Cadet 5264D. It's rated at 26 crank and 20 PTO.

I've been using a 48" Sitrex rear discharge finishing mower for a few seasons with great results on 3/4 of my property. The REST of the yard.... well, it's a little too rough for a finishing mower.

I was looking at the Value Leader brand flails for a while... but the difference is going to be just a hair under 500 bucks for the Italian implement vs. the Chinese one. Not risking going cheap. lol.

I think it's a little heavier than my Sitrex. I have 5 suitcase weights on the front (max capacity for the front weight rack) ... do you guys think the front end is going to get too light to steer on me when it's off the ground?

 

[leonz]

I'm about ready to pull the trigger on this Caroni flail for my Cub Cadet 5264D. It's rated at 26 crank and 20 PTO.

I've been using a 48" Sitrex rear discharge finishing mower for a few seasons with great results on 3/4 of my property. The REST of the yard.... well, it's a little too rough for a finishing mower.

I was looking at the Value Leader brand flails for a while... but the difference is going to be just a hair under 500 bucks for the Italian implement vs. the Chinese one. Not risking going cheap. lol.

I think it's a little heavier than my Sitrex. I have 5 suitcase weights on the front (max capacity for the front weight rack) ... do you guys think the front end is going to get too light to steer on me when it's off the ground?

==============================================================================



As long as you have the suitcase weights on the front you should
have no problems at all.

You just have to remember the flail mower is going to be much
shorter than the rear rotary.

And when mowing in reverse which is much easier with an integrally
mounted flail mower versus a finish mower.


When you have questions about your flail mower do not hesistate to
ask them here on the forum.

Please let us know when you recieve your mower so that we can officially
welcome you as the newest member of the flail mower nation.

 

[Sub-Cadet68]

==============================================================================



As long as you have the suitcase weights on the front you should
have no problems at all.

You just have to remember the flail mower is going to be much
shorter than the rear rotary.

And when mowing in reverse which is much easier with an integrally
mounted flail mower versus a finish mower.


When you have questions about your flail mower do not hesistate to
ask them here on the forum.

Please let us know when you recieve your mower so that we can officially
welcome you as the newest member of the flail mower nation.

Will do !!!

 

[Sub-Cadet68]

I haven't mowed my lawn since before my previous post. lol

The Caroni should be here next Thursday or Friday... Monday at the absolute latest.

I'm not mowing until it arrives.... much to my wifes dismay.

There will be video of the maiden voyage through the jungle that my yard has become.

Can't wait to be an OFFICIAL member of the Flail Mower Nation.

My buddy has a screen printing company... I might have him draw something up and make a few T's.