Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[def38]

I've driven past that plant many times travelling between Chattanooga and Huntsville. My neighbor in Chattanooga was a nuclear project engineer with TVA before they outsourced the project function. He took early retirement and went back to work as a contractor in the same desk the next week.

Are you in N. AL def38? I now live in Shelbyville, TN which is 1 1/2 ~2 hours drive north of you. Come on up and we'll get your welding done.

Blount County, AL about 30 miles No of B'ham, rural, about the 282 MM, I-65. Thanks for the welding offer. My grandson is a welder so, I may illicit his skills.

 

[hairyapple]

I had a flail mower on my old massey ferguson, gas powered 4 cylinder Continental engine, I think it was, in any case it took a lot of power-probably more than that tractor had to give. My 2010 ex3200 cub/yanmar, has 32 hp diesel. I wonder how that would handle a flail mower

 

[def38]

I had a flail mower on my old massey ferguson, gas powered 4 cylinder Continental engine, I think it was, in any case it took a lot of power-probably more than that tractor had to give. My 2010 ex3200 cub/yanmar, has 32 hp diesel. I wonder how that would handle a flail mower

Folks are mowing with flail mowers with less HP than your Yanmar. What are you cutting?

 

[ronjhall]

I had a flail mower on my old massey ferguson, gas powered 4 cylinder Continental engine, I think it was, in any case it took a lot of power-probably more than that tractor had to give. My 2010 ex3200 cub/yanmar, has 32 hp diesel. I wonder how that would handle a flail mower

My 30 HP diesel tractor with 22 HP PTO. Handles a 62H Woodmaxx flail with no problems. So well I wish I had gotten the 78" flail mower.

 

[bkrgi]

I had a flail mower on my old massey ferguson, gas powered 4 cylinder Continental engine, I think it was, in any case it took a lot of power-probably more than that tractor had to give. My 2010 ex3200 cub/yanmar, has 32 hp diesel. I wonder how that would handle a flail mower

Here is my 19.5PTO HP running a woodmaxx FM62H to give you a idea

 

[Milo]

Here is my 19.5PTO HP running a woodmaxx FM62H to give you a idea

Thanks for posting because I've been toying with buying that exact model but was concerned if I had enough power. I wouldn't be cutting anything heavier than you did in the video so I may go ahead and order one.
In the video is it at its highest setting? And are you using the standard Y blades?

 

[bkrgi]

Thanks for posting because I've been toying with buying that exact model but was concerned if I had enough power. I wouldn't be cutting anything heavier than you did in the video so I may go ahead and order one.
In the video is it at its highest setting? And are you using the standard Y blades?

It is set at about 3" and I'm using the hammers
More video if it helps you further

 

[Milo]

Thanks...... that convinced me, what you're cutting looks almost exactly what I have to cut and with a very similar tractor. I take it you are pleased with it? The hammers seem to give a good enough cut and I like how it almost mulches up the material opposed to what a rotary cutter leaves. Did you order it with hammers or did you get them in addition to the standard Y blades? Would you recommend ordering any extras?

 

[bkrgi]

Thanks...... that convinced me, what you're cutting looks almost exactly what I have to cut and with a very similar tractor. I take it you are pleased with it? The hammers seem to give a good enough cut and I like how it almost mulches up the material opposed to what a rotary cutter leaves. Did you order it with hammers or did you get them in addition to the standard Y blades? Would you recommend ordering any extras?

Very pleased with it. There is no comparison to the finished product of a flail vs rotary ....in fact with this property it was for sale for ages and the owners had me come in and 'clean' things up and basically it sold very very shortly thereafter.
I ordered it with hammers in order to better handle woodier type material vs straight grass where the Ys would do better...hammers do not like rocks though.
Only thing I would watch for is when you adjust the rear roller to your desired cut height watch that you don't let it smash the zerks off each side...you'll see what I mean when you get it. Adjust the slip clutch accordingly and a hydraulic top link helps adjust things easier as well if you have 2 remotes.
Just understand in thick wet heavy tall grasses you may use up HP quick otherwise accordingly the flail works awesome behind 19.5 PTO HP..

A before pic
DSC01085 by richardktm300, on Flickr

after

DSC01096 by richardktm300, on Flickr

 

[def38]

Only thing I would watch for is when you adjust the rear roller to your desired cut height watch that you don't let it smash the zerks off each side...you'll see what I mean when you get it.

I don't understand why the flail manufacturers don't orient those rear roller Zerk fittings so they don't get damaged during use. My Chinese flail was replaced for just that reason...Zerks ground off due to ground contact during mowing. I have since rotated the rear roller bearing housings 90 degrees to eliminate the chance of damage.