Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[Kiotidriver]

Thank you Island Tractor. I do have a pair of remote hydraulic ports at the back of my tractor since it came with a backhoe. Upon removing the backhoe from the tractor frame, I will use them to connect the offset mechanism on my new Flail Mower. Speaking of remote hydraulic ports, I hear people talking about closed loop, I guess it means the fluid goes from one port, goes to the implement (like the backhoe hydraulic system) and returns to the sump via the other port. Now what happens when your implement uses only one cylinder (extend/retract)? Is there any other type of port than the closed loop type? I hope what I’m saying makes sense.

 

[Kiotidriver]

David.
Great pictures of your new mower. What cutting height are you using? It seems you are cutting your grass pretty low. I would like to set the cutting height at ~ 6 on my mower so I don't hit half buried stones. My land is mostly pasture with a lot of bad grass.
On another subject, while driving North on Hwy 19 a few miles after Pepeeko we saw a plantation but we are not sure what it is. Any idea?

 

[sodamo]

Thanks
I left it at the factory height. I want a short cut, grass can really grow fast here with the he rain and sun. If I cut at 6, it would be a constant job LOL. I've been cutting this area since 2005 when it was just overgrown pasture, formerly cane field. I know where the rocks are, the ones I have to raise to go over, the ones that the knives brush.

Not sure what you mean by plantation. There are buildings left from the sugar plantation days, but no active plantations.
Lots of farms growing a variety of products and cattle.

David Sent from my iPad Air using TractorByNet

 

[whirly]

That is 24 ac of Ti plants. The leaves are used in floral decorations and Hawaiian garments. The stalks are packaged and sold for folks to grow their own ti plants. Any part of the stalk will grow a plant ... just add water and soil.

 

[IslandTractor]

I don't have a hydraulic top link but I noticed when going over little mounds or going down into a hollow the mower tended to lift as the nose of the tractor went down. I overcame it by lengthening the top link so that the mower could drop lower as needed. It now floats nicely behind my tractor but it took me a few setting changes on all links to get it to what I regard as perfect now. A hydraulic link would have been nice, but now I have it set correctly I won't need to touch it again anyway. Maybe a short length of chain like some use on a Rotary mower could be useful. I don't have a slotted top link but it works fine as is.

I'm surprised your mower doesn't have a slot. Ideally the topping lift should be to a slot. That allows the mower to adjust automatically to slight variations in terrain and keeps the rear roller on the ground where it should be. The topping lift is mostly irrelevant for flail mowing as you'd use the 3PT arms to lift over an obstruction or for travel. Chain would work but you'd need to get the length right so you could lift for transport and to clear obstructions.

 

[IslandTractor]

Thank you Island Tractor. I do have a pair of remote hydraulic ports at the back of my tractor since it came with a backhoe. Upon removing the backhoe from the tractor frame, I will use them to connect the offset mechanism on my new Flail Mower. Speaking of remote hydraulic ports, I hear people talking about closed loop, I guess it means the fluid goes from one port, goes to the implement (like the backhoe hydraulic system) and returns to the sump via the other port. Now what happens when your implement uses only one cylinder (extend/retract)? Is there any other type of port than the closed loop type? I hope what I’m saying makes sense.

Almost all implements use closed loop connections, even single cylinders. That's what allows you to provide force in each direction of cylinder movement. A few devices don't need bidirectional power and those have the option of either closed loop or simply returning the fluid directly to a low pressure sump. I'm no expert on hydraulics so you might get a better explanation from JJ or one of the other guys. Bottom line though is that virtually any hydraulic implement on a tractor can be run off a pair of ports.

 

[Kiotidriver]

That is 24 ac of Ti plants. The leaves are used in floral decorations and Hawaiian garments. The stalks are packaged and sold for folks to grow their own ti plants. Any part of the stalk will grow a plant ... just add water and soil.

Thank you Whirly. I googled Ti plants to see the flowers, they are beautiful. We saw some in bloom at the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden on Old Mamalohoa Hwy. Andre

 

[Kiotidriver]

Almost all implements use closed loop connections, even single cylinders. That's what allows you to provide force in each direction of cylinder movement. A few devices don't need bidirectional power and those have the option of either closed loop or simply returning the fluid directly to a low pressure sump. I'm no expert on hydraulics so you might get a better explanation from JJ or one of the other guys. Bottom line though is that virtually any hydraulic implement on a tractor can be run off a pair of ports.

Island Tractor,
If the fluid in a hydraulic close loop is prevented to circulate, the fluid will overheat. Take the case of my flail mower extender cylinder connected to the auxiliary control valve (a close loop system). Assuming I move the selector to B (see picture) and the cylinder extends to full travel, at this point it becomes a dead end for the oil (no return path to the sump). Pump pressure will build up in Port B as long as the selector is left in position B. To prevent an excessive pressure buildup the main relief valve will open, and bleed some oil back to the sump. However since the relief valve is a flow restrictor the oil will quickly overheat. With my Kioti 30 HST hydraulic system I will need to return the selector to N (Neutral) as soon as the cylinder has reached full extension or retraction. I had a firsthand bad experience with this phenomenon just after buying my tractor from an estate sale. No one was able to explain to me the peculiarity of the tractor and the closest dealer was more than 2 hours away from my location. I decided to remove the backhoe to service the tractor. I used the book that came with the backhoe to find the procedure, and followed the instructions to the letter. Upon removing the backhoe, I shut the tractor off and bled the pressure from the hydraulic lines by exercising each backhoe control lever. Then I disconnected the quick disconnects from Ports A and B at the back of the tractor (nowhere in the book did it mention to set the hydraulic selector to neutral). I restarted the tractor and pulled away, and drove it for almost 15 minutes until I saw smoke coming out of the Power Steering Unit (I had previously removed the instrument panel cover). I touched the steering unit and burnt my fingers. After talking with the dealer I understood the problem. By disconnecting Ports A and B without setting the auxiliary control lever to Neutral, I had interrupted the closed loop circuit and hence caused the relief valve to open and the oil to overheat. I immediately replaced the HST fluid and filters. So far the tractor has not displayed any permanent damage to the hydraulic system. I hope some (hydraulic) newbie will learn from of my mistake.
Andre

 

[sodamo]

I know very little about hydraulics , but I believe my FEL and backhoe levers do return to a neutral position when released. The lever to operate the flail hydraulics does not, I have to purposely do so. If I don't my 3pt will not lift. Not sure about the overheating, but would prefer not to find out, especially your way. David Sent from my iPad Air using TractorByNet

 

[Kiotidriver]

This is correct David, the FEL and the Backhoe joysticks are spring loaded to return to neutral position when not actuated, thus allowing the oil to circulate. The problem is when using the Auxiliary Control Valve like the one on my Kioti to actuate a hydraulic cylinder. The ACV is not controlled by a self centering lever but a lever with fixed positions (in my case A. N. B). I will contact the dealer and ask him if a joystick can be added to control implements with cylinders, like the flail offset extender or a hydraulic top link. It would be a safer way to operate the cylinder implement, just in case one suffers a senior moment. Andre