Disappointed in my Flail Mower. What's Wrong?

[Wingsy]

As you can see by the attached picture I'm a bit disappointed in this New Holland 918L flail mower I just got. Something has to be wrong. Any suggestions?

I bought it used from a local dealer. I talked to the previous owner and he said he had only used it off & on for two days. He said I would be pleased with it, but surely something is different from what he saw and what I'm seeing. He couldn't use it because the offset was preventing him from mowing between rows of trees. The mowing I did (in the picture) was at its extreme height and speed was at a slow walk, rpm was around 3200. I plan to return to the field today and try different cutting heights.

Before all this I initially tested the mower by cutting a 100' strip in my lawn at a cut height 1 above the shortest and it did an excellent job. But there were no large clumps of grass or straw. That flail absolutely hates straw -- look on the left side of the pic.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

LEONZ pops in and out from time to time with pages of information pushing flail mowers as the answer to every need, sometimes even saying they'll also cut grass. Maybe he'll show up with the answer as to why yours doesn't seem to be doing much of a job mowing grass.

 

[SPYDERLK]

With grass you will need to set fairly low to get a good cut. It tends to lay it down on high settings. Stiffer stuf cuts ok higher.
larry

 

[kuboman]

I would suggest that your cutting height is too high. Unless the grass is really stiff rotary mowers of any style work best at a low cutting height .:thumbsup:

 

[Ductape]

LEONZ pops in and out from time to time with pages of information pushing flail mowers as the answer to every need, sometimes even saying they'll also cut grass. Maybe he'll show up with the answer as to why yours doesn't seem to be doing much of a job mowing grass.

Be careful what you wish for...........

 

[gwdixon]

Have to agree with the "mow lower" folks.

It appears the tires pushed down the grass and the mower wasn't set low enough to clip it. Then a bit later the grass recovered and you are left with tire lines of tall grass.

Go over the same area again and straddle the tire lines with the mower set lower. Post a photo of the results for more evaluation.

 

[Wingsy]

You guys were right, it was set too high. Thanks for the advice.

Set high on the left, set 1 notch above lowest on the right...

 

[thatguy]

You guys were right, it was set too high. Thanks for the advice.

Set high on the left, set 1 notch above lowest on the right...

just curious - what height does it cut best (inches)?

Brian

 

[kycontrols]

Can you post a picture of the mower?

Thanks

 

[knotweed]

Looks like every 3rd blade is missing. Lift mower about waist high, turn off tractor and wait till everything quits moving, lift the back flap ang see if any are missing.