Flail Mower 65" Ditch Bank flail mower and a Kioti CK4010?

[leonz]

These are definitely the responses I am looking for! thank you for your input. I really would only be using it at maybe 36" out at most but the main use for the offset is to clear my driveway which I would be 12"-24" out. I cant think of a scenario on my property that it would be fully extended while being held in the air. That being said, I need to research what the 3pt hitch is rated at. I am looking forward to the extra weight also since my box blade is not a very good counter balance for my FEL.

Would you say that the 65" extended 36" would be more or less stable than a 57" at the same 36"? The center of balance would be further in by 4"-5" depending on the weight of the hitch and swing arm. My other concern is at 90' the weight distribution but I would only have it out no more than 24" at max. The longer flail means I can keep it lower to the ground for stability as well.

Is their a big difference in weight distribution when talking 800 vs 900 pounds? Either one I would be just as concerned about with it 24" out 90" up. My tractor is roughly 3000lbs with a wheelbase of 55".

And my 3pt hitch is rated at 1600lbs at 24"

Thanks again for all of the input.

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PLEASE do not make any decisions until you talk to someone at Iowa Farm Equipment about your SPECIFIC MULE!!!!

EACH and every boom mounted flail mower or rotary cutter will affect the tractors center of gravity because the mower will extend the amount of weight away from the center line of the mule.


You also must take into account that the forces created by the mowers being lifted above the center line create forces that the tractor must overcome by its weight and inherent design with regard to its center line through the rear wheel axles and the center of gravity.

The three point hitch measurement for weight is ment for vertical lift of an integrally mounted implement with the lower links extended or retracted ONLY!!!!

I am telling you this because the geometry created by the mowers extension and extended vertical lift are what is going to limit what size and weight mower you can use.

PLEASE PLEASE please call Iowa Farm Equipment and ask to speak to someone before you end up getting hurt by basing your decision on your mules lifting capacity as the gravitational forces are increased by a factor of nine basing it on a 900 pound mower if my memory is right as what you have is what is referred to as an "over center load condition".

You see over center load conditions countered by the use of stabilizer legs from the crane vehicle frames and counterweights on cranes of all types including crawler cranes that may or may not have stabilizer extension legs to increase the diameter of the cranes footprint in square area as the crane boom will extend past the maximum footprint of the cranes stabilizers. The cast weights used to counter the radial forces created by the lifting of components by the crane boom and its cables are almost exactly like a side shifting boom mower but on a much much larger scale in gravitational forces and weights.

I do not want to bore you. I want you to stay alive and safe and also be an active future member of the "Flail Mower Nations" when you have your new flail mower mounted on your mule.

 

[NC419N]

I would think long and hard about using it on that size machine. We have a ORSI river Compact 420 and use it with a 555DTC farmtrac with loaded tires and wheel weights on side opposite the arm and its still enough to make you draw up.
Please don't buy an ORSI mower but that's another story all together

 

[jonsstihl]

please elaborate on your experience with orsi. according to google that is a boom mower. that is a whole other animal we are talking about. I believe the op is looking at a flail that can be shifted to the side of the tractor and can also mow vertically but not a boom mounted flail.

be careful when looking at dimensions because you most likely won't be able to mow with the flail in the vertical position and having the flail 24" out from the side of the tractor. find out how far the flail will shift from the centerline of the tractor and compare that with the width of your tractor so you can determine if your vertical mowing will be possible.

 

[Tigershark]

I have the same tractor and wouldn't feel comfortable even with filled tires, maybe if you had extra weight on the opposite side and loaded the bucket but even that would be a stretch.

 

[RjCorazza]

On this page it says 30+:

65 Ditch Bank Flail Mower w/Hammers Installed FH-AGL165 65" Ditch Bank Flail Mower w/Hammers Installed [FH-AGL165] - $2,429.�� : Betst Products LLC, Rugged Labor Saving Equipment Since 1995

That's more in line with the ratings on Italian flails that size.

The HP ratings on the Chinese flails can be all over the place. Some specs I've seen have the same HP ratings for a number of different sized flails, which is obviously incorrect. Try calling Betstco and asking about that and if the size and style is appropriate. Perhaps a side shifting model would suit your needs since you don't think you'll have to extend the ditch bank mower all the way.

The hydraulic cylinders don't take any appreciable HP.

Unless you're using it to trim trees it'll be on the ground when mowing, and the mower's weight will be on the roller. It's when you pick it up to transport or back up that the weight will be on the tractor.

Yup. I stand corrected on the minimum hp spec. I would have sworn I saw 40hp somewhere, but old age is creeping up on me
Thanks for the manual link - I am getting closer to finalizing my decision on the Chinese flail. The Italian models are just too expensive for my limited residential use.