kco
Veteran Member
I think you are right. I haven't seen vibration on the mower with the blades ranging from 1021 to 1060 grams. Regardless, it is not much work to grind the sets to within a few grams and it seems like a good idea.
Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers
- Thread starter TNhobbyfarmer
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I think you are right. I haven't seen vibration on the mower with the blades ranging from 1021 to 1060 grams. Regardless, it is not much work to grind the sets to within a few grams and it seems like a good idea.
A flail mower question:
I just recently posted that I am giving very serious thought to upgrading my JD2305 (18PTO HP) to a larger JD with 35hp (30PTO HP). I have gone so far as to get a quote from the dealer including the value of my current tractor and all of its assorted implements. That is all but my 48" Befco flail mower. The dealer stated that they just could not sell them in the past (stating they sat on the lot for 2 years) and that therefore he likely could not offer me much for it. I would like to get a replacement, but this partly hinges on selling the one I have. I would be willing to sell to anyone on this site as long as we could negotiate a fair price (it is in very good, almost new condition). The second issue would be the replacement. On the one hand, I could simply upgrade to the 72 inch Befco. I absolutely LOVE my current Befco flail mower so I see no problems with an even larger one. The only thing holding me back is that a 6 footer is not cheap and woodmaxx has some 6 foot flails that look quite nice, especially one with a hydraulic offset.
So my question to all would be if anyone has any direct comparison experience between Befco and Woodmaxx. I will say right now that the Befco is a VERY solidly built machine. How solid is Woodmaxx? The Woodmaxx is quite a bit cheaper but is this in any way indicative of the quality of the build?
Thanks in advance,
SI2305
I just recently posted that I am giving very serious thought to upgrading my JD2305 (18PTO HP) to a larger JD with 35hp (30PTO HP). I have gone so far as to get a quote from the dealer including the value of my current tractor and all of its assorted implements. That is all but my 48" Befco flail mower. The dealer stated that they just could not sell them in the past (stating they sat on the lot for 2 years) and that therefore he likely could not offer me much for it. I would like to get a replacement, but this partly hinges on selling the one I have. I would be willing to sell to anyone on this site as long as we could negotiate a fair price (it is in very good, almost new condition). The second issue would be the replacement. On the one hand, I could simply upgrade to the 72 inch Befco. I absolutely LOVE my current Befco flail mower so I see no problems with an even larger one. The only thing holding me back is that a 6 footer is not cheap and woodmaxx has some 6 foot flails that look quite nice, especially one with a hydraulic offset.
So my question to all would be if anyone has any direct comparison experience between Befco and Woodmaxx. I will say right now that the Befco is a VERY solidly built machine. How solid is Woodmaxx? The Woodmaxx is quite a bit cheaper but is this in any way indicative of the quality of the build?
Thanks in advance,
SI2305
leonz
Super Member
If you have not looked at the Woodmax flail mowers yet you will see a stark contrast in build with the bolted side plates rather than having the side plate weldments connected to the flail mower shroud with continuous welds.
Keep your 48 inch Befco Flail Mower for mowing, do not sell it. You will be better off and you will have plenty of power with the new mule to operate the flail mower in heavy brush mowing and for mowing good sod at all times.
Just be sure to check that the "New" mule will lift the old mower and the old PTO shaft and not damage the old PTO shaft when fully raised as the lift arc may be shorter and may cause the PTO Stub shaft on the new mule and the mower gearbox to bind and break and be damaged.
It may be better for you to just invest in a JD quick hitch to carry the old 48 inch Befco Flail Mower for your use to avoid problems with the old PTO shaft and the new Mules lift arc as the quick hitch keeps it out and further away to reduce the arc of travel to prevent damaging the new mules PTO Stub and the current flail mower gear box.
Keep your 48 inch Befco Flail Mower for mowing, do not sell it. You will be better off and you will have plenty of power with the new mule to operate the flail mower in heavy brush mowing and for mowing good sod at all times.
Just be sure to check that the "New" mule will lift the old mower and the old PTO shaft and not damage the old PTO shaft when fully raised as the lift arc may be shorter and may cause the PTO Stub shaft on the new mule and the mower gearbox to bind and break and be damaged.
It may be better for you to just invest in a JD quick hitch to carry the old 48 inch Befco Flail Mower for your use to avoid problems with the old PTO shaft and the new Mules lift arc as the quick hitch keeps it out and further away to reduce the arc of travel to prevent damaging the new mules PTO Stub and the current flail mower gear box.
DieselBound
Elite Member
No. (my location shows up in my info)
I was really looking for comments/perspective on the type of cutter (and not an attack on the manufacturer using them).
Leonz,
I have only seen pictures of Woodmaxx flail mowers from their website. I had been under the impression that they were a quality build, but as I understand you their build quality is substandard? Have you seen them in person? I was initially reluctant to buy the Befco simply because I was unsure if I had enough ponies on my PTO to make it useful. I can assure you that Befco flail mowers are extremely sturdily built. Is your perspective from seeing/using them in person or a judgement based on your acute observation of their pictures. Certainly I will keep the mower for a while as it is not a part of the trade value package. I imagine that using it will be a bit awkward as I will come nowhere near to cutting out my tires, but that is not a deal breaker by itself. Thanks for the input. If I do trade up I will be spending a pretty large sum of money and I want to ensure that it is well spent and not spend it on a potentially faulty/unreliable/poorly constructed implement.
Thanks for your input and I appreciate any other input you may have,
SI2305
I have only seen pictures of Woodmaxx flail mowers from their website. I had been under the impression that they were a quality build, but as I understand you their build quality is substandard? Have you seen them in person? I was initially reluctant to buy the Befco simply because I was unsure if I had enough ponies on my PTO to make it useful. I can assure you that Befco flail mowers are extremely sturdily built. Is your perspective from seeing/using them in person or a judgement based on your acute observation of their pictures. Certainly I will keep the mower for a while as it is not a part of the trade value package. I imagine that using it will be a bit awkward as I will come nowhere near to cutting out my tires, but that is not a deal breaker by itself. Thanks for the input. If I do trade up I will be spending a pretty large sum of money and I want to ensure that it is well spent and not spend it on a potentially faulty/unreliable/poorly constructed implement.
Thanks for your input and I appreciate any other input you may have,
SI2305
DieselBound
Elite Member
Why are bolts bad? What types of failure could one expect to encounter with bolts vs welds?
Around where I live people have been driving over HUGE metal structures -bridges- that are essentially BOLTED together (rivets and or bolts). Should they panic because bolts and rivets are being used? Bridges can be subjected to immense stresses.
I would be more receptive to an argument that considers the roller or the drive mechanism, as these things, I'd think, take on more stresses.
I personally have no illusions that a flail mower can stand up to (or should be subjected to) the same sort of treatment that rotary cutters are subjected to.
sidecarist
Silver Member
Woodmaxx end plates are not bolted on they are welded. I asked here and in other places about the woodmaxx and didn't find a direct reference from anyone that owned one. Nevertheless I did order one and expect it to arrive the first or second week of October.
For me the choice was a combination of feature (rear trash door) and price based. When I get it I'll post results etc and be willing to offer my opinion from real life use.
Time will tell.
For me the choice was a combination of feature (rear trash door) and price based. When I get it I'll post results etc and be willing to offer my opinion from real life use.
Time will tell.
DieselBound
Elite Member
I'm waiting on a more objective assessment from/by sidecarist. Maybe you'd be willing to buy a bit more time and wait as well? I think he's due to receive his Woodmaxx shortly. Yes, there's the issue of longevity, but let's face it, if we had all held back because of this then we'd never have gotten exposure to new/good manufacturers: Woodmaxx itself was once new, and it became the leader in woodchippers; I don't think they manufacturer the flails, but I'm pretty sure they're spec'ing them- are their specifications quality? I'd think that they don't want to risk their name with sub-par stuff.
I'm NOT advocating for Woodmaxx. I AM advocating for reasonable reasoning. I want to see the data myself. How others use things, and what things one should look out for is very helpful; but when it gets down to telling me what I should or shouldn't do or buy is where I draw the line. No one knows exactly what someone's needs are. And life is if anything, about risk.
sidecarist
Silver Member
I ordered the woodmaxx because it appears to meet my requirements. I wish I had a direct reference but it isn't available. I did research their reputation overall and it's quite good. They have been responsive by email and phone.
It appears to me to be well built, I am not a flail mower expert but will offer my real world observations after I get it.
Currently it is on the water with a port date of September 28. There will a week or two of shipping, etc before I get it.
It appears to me to be well built, I am not a flail mower expert but will offer my real world observations after I get it.
Currently it is on the water with a port date of September 28. There will a week or two of shipping, etc before I get it.
powerscol
Veteran Member
OK I am narrowing my choices. There is the Peruzzo brand Elk Cross Series and Fox Cross series Ditch Bank Flail Mowers and a Maschio Girafetta 160SI . I did find out the difference between the SI and SE The SE the gearbox is outboard of the mower body and the SI is inborad in the traditional spot. Is anyone running the Peruzzo brand units? There is only about $500 between the three of them.
Thanks for any help
Thanks for any help