Flail Mower Recommendations

[JohnnyW]

Ok so I am tired of my rock throwing, rustin out rotary mower. I would like to purchase a not brand new flail mower. I have an L3830 Kubota (40 hp gross) tractor. Looking at the upper 5 foot to 6 foot cutting width. Cutting heavy, thick, wet, tall grass with some blackberry vines, poison oak, and light brush etc. What do you recommend for flails: Brand, cutter style etc? Oh yeah rear pto with cat 1 hitch 540 rpm etc the usual.

 

[Todd727]

I've been very happy with an older Alamo that I found on CL for $600. I replaced all of the flails because I wanted to go for the heavy duty set, but still got a great mower for less than $1000.

 

[JohnnyW]

Alamo makes great machines. I have been looking at Craigs List for the San Fran Bay area but nothing has popped out at me yet. I will take one vote for alamo, thanks.

 

[greg_g]

When it comes to used flails, your choice is going to be limited. It's more assessing the condition of what you find, rather than being able to pick and choose. And I've got a 74" with HD T-knives behind a 3720 John Deere (35 PTO hp). I can guarantee you mine would struggle through "heavy, thick, wet, tall grass with some blackberry vines, poison oak, and light brush etc", so you might want to limit your search to five footers.

//greg//

 

[flusher]

Ok so I am tired of my rock throwing, rustin out rotary mower. I would like to purchase a not brand new flail mower. I have an L3830 Kubota (40 hp gross) tractor. Looking at the upper 5 foot to 6 foot cutting width. Cutting heavy, thick, wet, tall grass with some blackberry vines, poison oak, and light brush etc. What do you recommend for flails: Brand, cutter style etc? Oh yeah rear pto with cat 1 hitch 540 rpm etc the usual.

I have a Value Leader 68" flail that I bought a few years ago.

68" Heavy Duty Flail Mower EFGC175 - Value Leader Implements

Works OK in my hayfield. Haven't tried it in the brush (since I don't have any brush to mow).

AgriSupply sell the Caroni brand that seems to be popular with TBNers

Flail Mower 73 Width W/Pto Shaft

Good luck.

 

[leonz]

Ok so I am tired of my rock throwing, rustin out rotary mower.
I would like to purchase a not brand new flail mower.
I have an L3830 Kubota (40 hp gross) tractor.
Looking at the upper 5 foot to 6 foot cutting width.
Cutting heavy, thick, wet, tall grass with some blackberry vines,
poison oak, and light brush etc.

What do you recommend for flails: Brand, cutter style etc?
Oh yeah rear pto with cat 1 hitch 540 rpm etc the usual.

Hello JohnnyW,



The only way you will be able to manage this is to prowl
tractorhouse, iron planet, farm auction etc., on the internet.


This is the only way you will find a used flailmower in good condition
unless you repetitively check all the municipal auctions in California
for surplus flailmowers.


As far as Side Slicer Knives are concerned you want a side slicer with a
heat treated hardened side slicer type of knive.

Unless you purchase a flailmower with what you know specifically are heat treated
side slicers you you will need to buy them as replacement knives for the work intended.


You may be better off simply purchasing a new 4 foot cut finish flail mower as you will have many more
side slicers to mow with as you will have less dificulty mowing as the clippings will be smaller.
You will have make it a habit of wearing disposable gloves when checking the knives periodically
to avoid issues with exposure to poison oak etc. or spend time washing it(recommended) with hot water
to dislodge grass waste and grass dust.


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Once you go flail you never go back:thumbsup::licking::drool:
Pronovost or not at all!!!:thumbsup::licking::drool:

 

[aczlan]

Ok so I am tired of my rock throwing, rustin out rotary mower. I would like to purchase a not brand new flail mower. I have an L3830 Kubota (40 hp gross) tractor. Looking at the upper 5 foot to 6 foot cutting width. Cutting heavy, thick, wet, tall grass with some blackberry vines, poison oak, and light brush etc. What do you recommend for flails: Brand, cutter style etc? Oh yeah rear pto with cat 1 hitch 540 rpm etc the usual.

</SNIP>
You may be better off simply purchasing a new 4 foot cut finsh flail as you will have many more
side slicers to mow with as you wil have less dificulty mowing as the clippings will be smaller.
</SNIP>

Uh leonz, JohnnyW said that he has a L3830, it is at least 6' wide, has ~35 PTO HP and ours pushes a 5' rotary like it isn't there (unless you are cutting low in heavy grass).
Methinks that a 4' flail would be a little bit on the small side.

Aaron Z

 

[leonz]

Aaron,
I understood what he was talking about.


This is why I speciflcally said he may need to look at a 4 foot finish flail if
his brush is this dense.The more side slicers you have the finer the cut,
the smaller the clippings.

 

[aczlan]

Aaron,
I understood what he was talking about.
This is why I speciflcally said he may need to look at a 4 foot finish flail if
his brush is this dense.The more side slicers you have the finer the cut,
the smaller the clippings.

Not sure it would be worth getting a flail if you cant put at least a 5' one behind a tractor with 35PTO HP to cut heavy grass and light brush :confused2:
Per the Agri-Supply website, the Caroni 47" cut and 59" cut F rotor (Finish) flails are both rated at 20-40HP.
The Caroni 73" cut B rotor flail is rated at 30-60HP (although from the wording, the Caroni HP numbers may be gross HP, not PTO HP)

Aaron Z

 

[knotweed]

I bought an almost new BEFCO. I mow 4 acres with a 20 HP Yanmar. Very happy with results.