Buying Advice Flail mower/Brush Hog recommendations for Beaver III 373D

[cpy911]

Hi,

I recently was able to fix the 3pt lift on my Beaver III. I was wondering if any of you can recommend a flail mower? The primary purpose is to mow about an acre of grass that is mostly groomed, but a little too rough in some spots for a riding mower to comfortably run. The secondary purpose is to do some light brush hogging of blackberries and 1' tall grass that is near the tree line.

I found a chinese made 37" mower at 37" Standard Duty Flail Mower, FH-EF95 | Betstco Sales, Parts, and Service: . It does have good reviews. What do you recommend? Can the Beaver III handle a 4' wide brush hog?

Thanks!

 

[Roadworthy]

Your tractor is rated 16.5 horsepower as far as I can tell: TractorData.com Satoh Beaver III S373 tractor information Rule of thumb for rotary mowers is five horsepower per foot of mower. From that I'd conclude it may work with the four foot brush hog if the growth was fairly light or you're willing to go rather slowly. I don't know what a flail mower takes but suspect the 37" one should work.

 

[mntrails]

I have an S370D and use a Befco C30-RD4 4' wide finish mower. It gets used to mow trails, tall grass, brush, ferns, blackberry thickets, etc. While its called a finish mower, its been used as a light brush hog for 20 years and stood up to the task well. My feeling is that 4' wide is the max for this small tractor. I hang ballast off the front blade mount when I use it. The implement weighs 330 lbs and you probably wouldn't want to go much heavier due to the distance a mower hangs off the back. Good luck with your search

 

[cpy911]

I have an S370D and use a Befco C30-RD4 4' wide finish mower. It gets used to mow trails, tall grass, brush, ferns, blackberry thickets, etc. While its called a finish mower, its been used as a light brush hog for 20 years and stood up to the task well. My feeling is that 4' wide is the max for this small tractor. I hang ballast off the front blade mount when I use it. The implement weighs 330 lbs and you probably wouldn't want to go much heavier due to the distance a mower hangs off the back. Good luck with your search

Thanks for the comment. I am thinking about a finish mower as I don't really plan to do brush hogging, basically doing what you are discussing...
I have a FEL, would that provide enough ballast?
Thanks!

 

[mntrails]

A front end loader frame and bucket should provide more than enough ballast. I put a 50lb steel weight on my front blade mount - that's been sufficient for my application. Your FEL should be significantly more than that. You might be OK with just your FEL frame assuming you can drop the bucket for better manueverability. I know I prefer mowing without the front blade on - its pretty easy to graze trees or other items with it on especially when turning.

 

[GeeVee]

I have a 372 D, so its smaller than yours. I run a County Line 4' Bushhog, and have no complaints. It mows my driveway and shoulders well enough on my hunting camp land when its a foot high. I primarily use it to bush hog new trails and reduce 2 inch or more trees. I build Disc Golf Courses, which is frisbee golf, and I purposely bought a small tractor to make flyways 25-60' wide, leaving any trees over 6"DBH to play through around. See the video at he bottom of my Non Profits webpage, to see the kind of terrain I clear and use this bushog to reduce the cleared debris by mulching it. NSB Disc Golf Club
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwity9aSvfnoAhW-lXIEHR7yD20QtwIwA3oECAcQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D11OboBoCljE&usg=AOvVaw0mDh9ZR9tl6SFP95ThUD6C[/URL]
I can lay down a three or four inch juvenile tree with a chain saw, and clip a couple of branches sticking up, then run over it down the length, and let it mulch it down, no problem. If I have a stem of that 3 inch tree left over, I can grapple it or move it off to the side with my skid steer.

In super thick tall pasture grass, sure I have to crawl in low range, because I just want to make one pass, but Im not in a hurry anyway. My problem was finding a used one worth any money, So I bought a new one, and don't regret it.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwity9aSvfnoAhW-lXIEHR7yD20QtwIwA3oECAcQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D11OboBoCljE&usg=AOvVaw0mDh9ZR9tl6SFP95ThUD6C

GV

 

[cpy911]

Any idea if this rotary cutter will hook up and work with a Beaver III?

CountyLine Rotary Cutter SC, 4 ft. at Tractor Supply Co.

 

[cpy911]

Which version of the County Line did you buy? There is the SC with two wheels in the back and the regular one wheeled one.

I have a 372 D, so its smaller than yours. I run a County Line 4' Bushhog, and have no complaints. It mows my driveway and shoulders well enough on my hunting camp land when its a foot high. I primarily use it to bush hog new trails and reduce 2 inch or more trees. I build Disc Golf Courses, which is frisbee golf, and I purposely bought a small tractor to make flyways 25-60' wide, leaving any trees over 6"DBH to play through around. See the video at he bottom of my Non Profits webpage, to see the kind of terrain I clear and use this bushog to reduce the cleared debris by mulching it. NSB Disc Golf Club
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwity9aSvfnoAhW-lXIEHR7yD20QtwIwA3oECAcQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D11OboBoCljE&usg=AOvVaw0mDh9ZR9tl6SFP95ThUD6C[/URL]
I can lay down a three or four inch juvenile tree with a chain saw, and clip a couple of branches sticking up, then run over it down the length, and let it mulch it down, no problem. If I have a stem of that 3 inch tree left over, I can grapple it or move it off to the side with my skid steer.

In super thick tall pasture grass, sure I have to crawl in low range, because I just want to make one pass, but Im not in a hurry anyway. My problem was finding a used one worth any money, So I bought a new one, and don't regret it.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwity9aSvfnoAhW-lXIEHR7yD20QtwIwA3oECAcQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D11OboBoCljE&usg=AOvVaw0mDh9ZR9tl6SFP95ThUD6C

GV

 

[GeeVee]

Which version of the County Line did you buy? There is the SC with two wheels in the back and the regular one wheeled one.

Single wheel, kind of square deck with a narrow opening in the back. I am working some new flyways on a current 9 hole course and making it full 18 now. I dont regret buying it new, and I really haven;t had any issues with 2" trees. I lift the deck as high as it goes, and the wheel and a frame help push the tree over, and when the blade cuts the stem, I keep backing up and it shreds all the limbs and leaves. Pull forward and it is mostly gone....

The two wheel model I would use for Pasture mowing only, I wouldn;t want to "clear" the sapplings and juneile trees with it.

 

[GeeVee]

I re-read some of these posts, and earlier you mentioned not doing what I do with it, so yes, get the two wheel. And the FEL alone will be planty of ballast. I dont have an FEL, just a box wwith a couple of weight plates and some chain. ( I could use more wweight, but I Manage) I also have a ASV RC 30, so I dont need a FEL on my tiny tracotr.