Flail Mower Help with Selecting a Flail Mower

[1026mrg]

Am strongly considering a flail mower over a rotary mower for our fields in VT.
More compact, does not stick out so far behind the tractor.
Less likely, I think, to fling things.

Would appreciate insight/perspectives on the following....

1) Quality manufacturers of flail mowers.
2) Benefits of hydraulic offset. Is it worth it? Who makes the best?

Will be putting on the 3pt hitch of a JD 5095M. Tractor is 95hp. PTO is rated at 80hp.

Will likely need at least 84" cut width to ensure the cut is as wide as tires. Do I need to go full tire width or am
I better off to be slightly inside the tires?

Will be using the mower for fields, meadows & food plots. In some areas, growth can get a bit thick.


Thanks in advance...

 

[Arc weld]

88" Alamo but they aren't cheap by any means. I think they might even make a 96" now. 95 HP is lots. You can run an Interstator with hyd. side units in addition to the rear unit with 95 HP.

 

[leonz]

Am strongly considering a flail mower over a rotary mower for our fields in VT.
More compact, does not stick out so far behind the tractor.
Less likely, I think, to fling things.

Would appreciate insight/perspectives on the following....

1) Quality manufacturers of flail mowers.
2) Benefits of hydraulic offset. Is it worth it? Who makes the best?

Will be putting on the 3pt hitch of a JD 5095M. Tractor is 95hp. PTO is rated at 80hp.

Will likely need at least 84" cut width to ensure the cut is as wide as tires. Do I need to go full tire width or am
I better off to be slightly inside the tires?

Will be using the mower for fields, meadows & food plots. In some areas, growth can get a bit thick.


Thanks in advance...

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Hello 1026mrg,

A flail mower will contain anything it hits and be carried over the
flailmower rotor and then fall back down to the ground.

You are also protected with the V belt drive which will smoke V belts
when the mowers flail mower rotor stalls.




Now on question number one:

All the American and European built flail mowers are of excellent quality in manufacture and design
with the European models using forward debris guards as standard equipment.

IF you have the room to manuever a larger towed or integral mounted flailmower
you will be much better off and you will spend less time mowing.

With your mule you have decision to make as far as mower type
only because of the power you have available.

You can run a wider crop shredder with side slicer knives and have an excellent
cut with a two inch mowing height.

Now on question number two the issue comes down to the type of mowing period.

A hydraulic offset attachment for a flailmower comes down to the quality of the
hydraulic components and the quality of the chrome of the hydraulic cylinder as
a lower quality of chrome coating the cylinder rod will wear sooner and leak sooner.

A mower that is set between the wheel width will reduce the chance that you will clip something
and break pins.

Ninety nine percent of the issues is the type of knive a shredder/mower can have wide scoop
knives or side slicers.

Narrow you needs and then come back and ask more questions.

there are manay manufacturers and importers of excellent
integral and towed flail mowers .

With your mule you could use a 12-15 foot crop shredder with ease.


Decide if you want a crop shredder or a mower

a. a crop shredder will work more quickly for you and will last along time

b. a wide finish mower will also work well but a finish flail mower will cost more

c. crop shredders are built heavier and will outlast you current mule .


There are many new and used crop shredders available on tractor house and
I suggest you look there simply to see what is available and you can purchase
a used flail shredder in good condition.

I would check the John deere web site for crop shredders as well as the Hiniker home page
as well as the many others that are on the internet as at least 30 manufacturers make flail shredders and flailmowers.


Its an either or proposition and your money. I would check tractorhouse as you will find many units for sale and they are easy to repair.

 

[1026mrg]

Please see responses below in blue bold.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Now on question number one:

All the American and European built flail mowers are of excellent quality in manufacture and design
with the European models using forward debris guards as standard equipment.

Thanks, I have been able to find a few, but certainly not all. Here is my list so far:
Caroni, New Holland, Rears, BEFCO,
Cabe, Land Pride, Gearmore, Alamo[/B]

If you know of any others, please let me know by reply or PM.

IF you have the room to manuever a larger towed or integral mounted flailmower
you will be much better off and you will spend less time mowing.

A large (wide) mower is likely not in the picture. Some of my fields are back in the woods
and I can only access them on fairly narrow logging roads. So, width will have to be
within the wheel width or slightly wider.

With your mule you have decision to make as far as mower type
only because of the power you have available.

I am not sure that I understand your point above.

You can run a wider crop shredder with side slicer knives and have an excellent
cut with a two inch mowing height.

Most of the crop shredders that I see online are pretty wide and would be too wide
for access reasons.

Now on question number two the issue comes down to the type of mowing period.

A hydraulic offset attachment for a flailmower comes down to the quality of the
hydraulic components and the quality of the chrome of the hydraulic cylinder as
a lower quality of chrome coating the cylinder rod will wear sooner and leak sooner.

A mower that is set between the wheel width will reduce the chance that you will clip something
and break pins.

Ninety nine percent of the issues is the type of knive a shredder/mower can have wide scoop
knives or side slicers.

Narrow you needs and then come back and ask more questions.

Needs are for mowing fields and also for mowing food plots. Mow clover during growing season. Mow
other annuals, (e.g., soybeans, brassicas, sorghum, corn) prior to plowing and discing for next planting.
Currently someone else does this for us with a brush hog, (rotary mower). But I want to start doing it myself
and in the researching different mower options, I thought that a flail mower might be a better tool. Also will use
it when mowing brushy areas to convert to planted fields or meadows. Some are accessible from our main drive.
Some are back in the woods and can only be reached via fairly narrow logging trails. I do need a decent cut on the
fields & meadows, but by no means a "backyard or golf course fine cut".

there are manay manufacturers and importers of excellent
integral and towed flail mowers .

With your mule you could use a 12-15 foot crop shredder with ease.


Decide if you want a crop shredder or a mower

a. a crop shredder will work more quickly for you and will last along time

b. a wide finish mower will also work well but a finish flail mower will cost more

c. crop shredders are built heavier and will outlast you current mule .

Crop shredder sounds like it would be great, but I really can't go 15' wide.
Per your earlier point I would be better off either right at, or slightly under
rear wheel width. Call it 7'-8'.


There are many new and used crop shredders available on tractor house and
I suggest you look there simply to see what is available and you can purchase
a used flail shredder in good condition.

I would check the John deere web site for crop shredders as well as the Hiniker home page
as well as the many others that are on the internet as at least 30 manufacturers make flail shredders and flailmowers.

Deere does not offer any flails with hydraulic offset. Also their smallest (width) crop shredder, is 15' wide.


Its an either or proposition and your money. I would check tractorhouse as you will find many units for sale and they are easy to repair.

 

[Haoleguy]

1026mrg - One of the things you mentioned in the followup is the ability for this mower to cut brush when converting to field use. Based on that I think you need to consider the diameter of the brush you're cutting . Many orchards use flails to cut up pretty good size prunings in the winter. So you might ask around. Also consider what flails are well supported in the area. I know for the northeast you can readily find parts and support for Rears(OESCO) and Ferri(JS Woodhouse dealers). I have a Ferri mower that I use for my vineyard and it has served me well for 1 season so far. My orchard buddies tend to have the heavier Rears units. Here's a link to both Ferri .... Ferri America - World Leader In Mower Technology ...and Rears .... FLAILS-- Rear's Manufacturing ........Gary

 

[1026mrg]

Thanks....

The Rears units look particularly interesting...

The have flail mowers as well as choppers that are as narrow as 7' in cut width.
...wonder what the pricing is like.

Will shoot them an e-mail.

1026mrg - One of the things you mentioned in the followup is the ability for this mower to cut brush when converting to field use. .... I know for the northeast you can readily find parts and support for Rears(OESCO) and Ferri(JS Woodhouse dealers). I have a Ferri mower that I use for my vineyard and it has served me well for 1 season so far. My orchard buddies tend to have the heavier Rears units. Here's a link to both Ferri .... Ferri America - World Leader In Mower Technology ...and Rears .... FLAILS-- Rear's Manufacturing ........Gary

 

[Haoleguy]

Thanks....

The Rears units look particularly interesting...

The have flail mowers as well as choppers that are as narrow as 7' in cut width.
...wonder what the pricing is like.

Will shoot them an e-mail.

They are well made units and thus cost a little more but not out of line with others. One benefit is they are designed and manufactured in Oregon.

 

[leonz]

Please see responses below in blue bold.

Adding more to the discussion;


IS your mule 1000 or 540 RPM?


Hiniker offers a 16 foot wide flailshredder that can be equiped with a end towing and hydraulic lift kit keeping the entire mower within the rear wheels of your mule.

This also allows you to have a highway towing kit with marker lights for adequate illumination during
transport at night if you need to tow it at night or in the daylight hours.

The Hiniker side slicer knives are hardened like thier cup knives so mowing in different conditions is not an issue.


You will also at the same time be able to tow the flailmower
with a flexible Power Take Off shaft to mow or have a three point
mount for an integrally mounted mower so thats smoething to think about.

I would also check the Deere web page to see if they have an end towing option for their shredders(sorry i have not prowled their mower pages in along time so I do not know if they have an end towing option for their line of crop shredders).

 

[1026mrg]

Thanks,

See response below in blue bold.

Adding more to the discussion;


IS your mule 1000 or 540 RPM?

540 RPM


Hiniker offers a 16 foot wide flailshredder that can be equiped with a end towing and hydraulic lift kit keeping the entire mower within the rear wheels of your mule.

16' would be too wide. Some of our fields are back in the woods & only access are narrow logging trails.
I understand about the hydraulic lift kit. It is really a matter of compromise between max useable mowing width and
access/maneuverability. Some of the fields have nooks, crannies & access points that need mowing but are pretty tight in
terms of maneuver space.

This also allows you to have a highway towing kit with marker lights for adequate illumination during
transport at night if you need to tow it at night or in the daylight hours.

Great thought, but don't really have to tow it since all the acres are continguous and accessed by private road
or trails.

The Hiniker side slicer knives are hardened like thier cup knives so mowing in different conditions is not an issue.

The Hiniker models look very nice, but minimum cut width is 15'. That is great for large ag fields, but too large for my needs.
Most of the mowing will be on meadows & food plots. The one model that may work is a bit too narrow. Looking for something with
a cut width of 7' min to 9' max.


You will also at the same time be able to tow the flailmower
with a flexible Power Take Off shaft to mow or have a three point
mount for an integrally mounted mower so thats smoething to think about.

I would also check the Deere web page to see if they have an end towing option for their shredders(sorry i have not prowled their mower pages in along time so I do not know if they have an end towing option for their line of crop shredders).

Deere has some nice units, but none of them have hydraulic offset.

 

[leonz]

Thanks,

See response below in blue bold.

============================================================================

Just so I am on the same page here.....

1. Your telling me you have a private road that you can travel on for all your
mowing needs.



2. Your also telling me any and all of your mowing needs will be less than
fifteen feet wide every where you mow in perpetuity?.........

3. You are unable to use a 15 foot flailmower with a hydraulic end towing assembly
making its towing width less wide than the narrowest adjusted width of your stock 5095 tires?????????



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The only real option you have is a "Vrsimo Roadsider"

Model RSS 300-96

96 inch cut flailmower with side shift of either 12 or 18 inches.


UNLESS you look at the excellent Italian or Czech
rear mounted folding flailmowers.

Like I said,

Its your money but the smallest Hiniker
with the end towing package and the 540-1000
adapter will be about the same money.


The Vrisimo mowers like the Hinikers and the Mathews flail mowers
are sold in every state in the Union so parts are not an issue.