Offset Flail Ditch Bank Mower

[RoyJackson]

Anyone have experience with an offset flail mower such as this one:
Titan 65" 3-Point Offset Flail Ditch Bank Mower

Here's a video of a similar unit:
Maschio Giraffa Offset Flail Mower - YouTube

This is not an implement I would use daily, or weekly...maybe once or twice a month. I have an embankment on the edge of the property that is way too steep to mow with the tractor or zero-turn (the weed growth would be too much for the zero-turn mower anyway), so I'm considering something like this, but not necessarily the brand(s) shown.

Comments and suggestions are welcome!
(BTW, my tractor is a Deere 4520...about 55 engine HP, 46 PTO HP)

 

[art]

Heck of a price on that unit! I would have thought it to be nearly double! Better get it Roy!

 

[RoyJackson]

I'm not going to buy for a few months...probably late Winter.
The unit I want is a Del Morino:
Tractor Tools Direct | TM62 Hydraulic Offset Flail Mower

Quite a bit more expensive, but I think a better unit.
I am open to suggestions from folks who have these implements.

 

[murse72]

I have the 210si. It was not cheap but it is a time saver when it comes to mowing around my ponds. My maschio is built like a tank. It really surprised me on what it would mow down.

 

[TerryR]

Very interesting idea. I've got some banks, and also areas under trees around the edge of the field that would be much easier with one of these.

Looks like good prices on the Titan, but even the Titan 48" says it needs a min of 30HP, which would be a push for my JD 870, which is rated at 28 HP.

Here's another one: Iowa Farm Equipment -- Peruzzo Fox Cross Ditch Bank Flail Mowers

They claim their 47" can be used with 20HP. Suppose that's a real difference?

Both these require two remotes. Could I use the two outlets for my FEL if I got enough hose to reach, or is there something different about the FEL outlets that would be an issue?

 

[murse72]

Also talk to the guys a Iowa farm equipment. they were realiy helpful. I said I wanted the most mower my tractor could handle and I got what exactly I ask for. Another positive thing for the maschio is that they told me they could get maschio parts for stuff made 30years ago

 

[LarJea]

I have a smaller version of the Titan mower, (different brand but looks identical) that I use to mow ditches and trails with but with the side slicer knives. Used it the last two summers with no problems what's so ever. I have hit all kinds of rocks and gravel with it and the blades still cut well. Before I used it I checked all the bolts and a few were cross threaded and had to be retapped. Seems to be built well, no vibration and the belts still look new.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have a PERFECT 3ph Boom Flail mower by Van Wamel. It has the duckfoot blades. I had a customer whom I did his ditches for once a year, and then did some of my own stuff, but that property was sold and the new people aren't interested. So, it never left the shed this year. Hitting stones will destroy the blades and any profits in the job! Having got the new hydraulic sickle bar, it may have even less to do in future.

It's kind of a difficult thing to keep at the right level. You basically have three adjustments, the 3PH height, the mower angle and the distance it is out. A lot to do, along with watching where you are going. Definitely best used with a hydro, although I don't.

Considering it will shred 4" material, it works surprisingly well on grass too.

Not the greatest picture:

 

[LarJea]

Very interesting idea. I've got some banks, and also areas under trees around the edge of the field that would be much easier with one of these.

Looks like good prices on the Titan, but even the Titan 48" says it needs a min of 30HP, which would be a push for my JD 870, which is rated at 28 HP.

Here's another one: Iowa Farm Equipment -- Peruzzo Fox Cross Ditch Bank Flail Mowers

They claim their 47" can be used with 20HP. Suppose that's a real difference?

Both these require two remotes. Could I use the two outlets for my FEL if I got enough hose to reach, or is there something different about the FEL outlets that would be an issue?

I was also worried about 30 HP for the 48" size so I bought a 41" one for my B2601 but I am reasonably sure I could have got by going with 48" as far as horse power goes.
What I was worried about is all that weight hanging over the side of the tractor and probably is why the vender specifies a heavier 30 HP. tractor.
Yes on two remotes plus you need to have a float function on the valve you are using for tilt. I tried it without float on the tilt the first year and had a hard time keeping the tilt right on the constantly changing angles.

 

[TerryR]

I was also worried about 30 HP for the 48" size so I bought a 41" one for my B2601 but I am reasonably sure I could have got by going with 48" as far as horse power goes.
What I was worried about is all that weight hanging over the side of the tractor and probably is why the vender specifies a heavier 30 HP. tractor.
Yes on two remotes plus you need to have a float function on the valve you are using for tilt. I tried it without tilt the first year and had a hard time keeping the tilt right on the constantly changing angles.

Thanks, LarJea,

My 870 at 2600 lb. is nearly 1000 lb. heavier than the B2601, so that should help. I see Purezzo claims you only need a 1700 lb. tractor weight for their 48" model. But Betstco, whose mower looks almost identical to the Titian, says you need 3400 lb.

Any reason one couldn't use the existing outlets for the FEL? One of them already has the float function.