Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[vlcakc]

Sold the NH TC45D and all attachments, including the NH 918H flail mower, last Fall and sold the 60" Hustler Z mower this week. I'm now mower-less, so with mowing season rapidly approaching I need to get off my duff and find some replacements! I mow a four acre lawn area regularly (usually about six times a month during most of the growing season), a 20 acre hay meadow twice a year and another 10-15 acres of rough pasture once in a while. Most of the lawn area is fairly open so if the ground wasn't muddy I was able to use the NH 918H flail for the large areas and trim up a couple of tight areas with the Hustler. If I felt the ground was too soft for the tractor I would just mow everything with the Hustler. When the wind is up, which is most of the time here in Oklahoma, I ended up eating a lot of grass clippings and dust mowing with the Hustler. I'm considering a NH 54D tractor with cab and a 72" or 84" cut flail and maybe a smaller zero turn as replacements. I checked with Land Pride and their flails are not QH compatible. The NH 918H was not QH compatible although I could use it with a QH top link adapter. Are any of the USA or Italian made flails QH compatible? I plan to start actively shopping tomorrow, so any ideas would be appreciated. Vic

 

[leonz]

Hello Vic,

Lucky for me I found your thread before I crawled into my warm bed.

Anyway, John Deere, and Vrisimo, are the two that I can think of off
hand that will accept the quick hitch mode. I do not believe the Caroni
can use the quick hitch.

Check with the folks at Iowa Farm equipment to see if the Del Morino, Peruzzo,
Berti and Sicma can use the quick hitch.

You can check with Ken Sweet at Sweet Tractors about the Sicma flail mowers, You can send him a PM through the forum here to ask him or call him. He ships his equipment nationwide.

The smallest JD is the 7 foot 290 unless that has changed recently but the Vrisimo can be purchased in smaller width of cut flail mowers.


Good night to you,


Leon

 

[troverman]

I'm jumping in here. I need to mow about 30 acres of mostly slope with my Kubota B2920 with 21PTO horsepower. Its a small tractor for a decent size field (actually a capped landfill I mow) but it works. The past two years I have used a 48" Vrismo Mighty Max from circa 1990. My two complaints are that the mower misses small woody stalks that grow heavily in one area, and that it takes a long time. I replaced the "industrial" knives last season with new hardfaced knives, and a new belt.

I'd like to put a 5-foot flail on back...but will the B2920 be adequate to power it (mostly field grass, no brush) and will the extra weight cause the tractor to not be stable on the side-slopes? I have also just purchased 2" Bro-Tek spacers to help with the stability issue.

Looking at Peruzzo Fox flail mower but also see this 62" WoodMax (probably Chinese) for $800 less. Are the new flail mowers somehow more efficient than my old Vrismo? Do they weigh less?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Lnk]

I'm jumping in here. I need to mow about 30 acres of mostly slope with my Kubota B2920 with 21PTO horsepower. Its a small tractor for a decent size field (actually a capped landfill I mow) but it works. The past two years I have used a 48" Vrismo Mighty Max from circa 1990. My two complaints are that the mower misses small woody stalks that grow heavily in one area, and that it takes a long time. I replaced the "industrial" knives last season with new hardfaced knives, and a new belt.

I'd like to put a 5-foot flail on back...but will the B2920 be adequate to power it (mostly field grass, no brush) and will the extra weight cause the tractor to not be stable on the side-slopes? I have also just purchased 2" Bro-Tek spacers to help with the stability issue.

Looking at Peruzzo Fox flail mower but also see this 62" WoodMax (probably Chinese) for $800 less. Are the new flail mowers somehow more efficient than my old Vrismo? Do they weigh less?

Thanks in advance.

I think the 5 hp per foot rule depends on how tall you let the grass grow. I would not hesitate to go to 5' as you could always take a smaller width cut if you needed to. As far as stability, won't make much difference unless you like to lift it all the way up on a side slope. If your 4' is stable, so will a 5'.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'm jumping in here. I need to mow about 30 acres of mostly slope with my Kubota B2920 with 21PTO horsepower. Its a small tractor for a decent size field (actually a capped landfill I mow) but it works. The past two years I have used a 48" Vrismo Mighty Max from circa 1990. My two complaints are that the mower misses small woody stalks that grow heavily in one area, and that it takes a long time. I replaced the "industrial" knives last season with new hardfaced knives, and a new belt.

I'd like to put a 5-foot flail on back...but will the B2920 be adequate to power it (mostly field grass, no brush) and will the extra weight cause the tractor to not be stable on the side-slopes? I have also just purchased 2" Bro-Tek spacers to help with the stability issue.

Looking at Peruzzo Fox flail mower but also see this 62" WoodMax (probably Chinese) for $800 less. Are the new flail mowers somehow more efficient than my old Vrismo? Do they weigh less?

Thanks in advance.

I don't think the new flail mowers are any more "efficient" than your old Vrismo but a larger flail would certainly let you cut more in less time. The B2920 could certainly handle a five foot flail and frankly, given that you are just mowing grass and "small woody stalks", I'd be tempted to put a six footer on. At worst you will go a bit slower in heavy grass but if you cut regularly I'd think a six foot flail would work fine. If you cut just once or twice a season then perhaps the five foot would be the better match.

 

[leonz]

I'm jumping in here. I need to mow about 30 acres of mostly slope with my Kubota B2920 with 21PTO horsepower. Its a small tractor for a decent size field (actually a capped landfill I mow) but it works.

The past two years I have used a 48" Vrismo Mighty Max from circa 1990. My two complaints are that the mower misses small woody stalks that grow heavily in one area, and that it takes a long time. I replaced the "industrial" knives last season with new hardfaced knives, and a new belt.

I'd like to put a 5-foot flail on back...but will the B2920 be adequate to power it (mostly field grass, no brush) and will the extra weight cause the tractor to not be stable on the side-slopes? I have also just purchased 2" Bro-Tek spacers to help with the stability issue.

Looking at Peruzzo Fox flail mower but also see this 62" WoodMax (probably Chinese) for $800 less. Are the new flail mowers somehow more efficient than my old Vrismo? Do they weigh less?

Thanks in advance.

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


No worries,

What is the angle of the slope or slopes you are mowing? The cast in stone rule is no greater than fifteen percent unless you have a side hill tractor or combine or a tracked tractor of some type. Do you have an slope angle indicator on your mule? you can buy them through the forum here if I remember correctly.

Are you using R1, 2 or R4 tires or flat tread turf tires or diamond tread low pressure turf tires?

Are you mowing in reverse backing up the slope then traveling down the slope of the capped landfill to mow on the next pass??
This method gives you the most stability and traction and avoids side slippage.

Are the rears loaded with liquid ballast? the liquid ballast helps on slopes.

You should consider buying another Vrisimo model MM60 if you are going five foot wide with the industrial side slicers. the six inch overlap lets you recut what you missed.

My father used a JD25A with finish cut blades with his Ford Jubilee to cut down 12-15 foot goldenrod to reclaim pasture land that went wild and he had lots of power to run that 7 foot mower. his gorund was flat and swampy though and he had R1 ag tires.

I would suggest that you purchase a wet knife grinder from Micromark for $99.00 to sharpen the knives you have and try mowing after you sharpen them as they may have become a bit dull. The cool wet grinding method does not ruin the temper of a hardened flail mower knife or a machined scoop knife or a cast scoop hammer knife.


If you have not scrapped the old knives you can sharpen them to like new condition as long as you match the angle of the knife edge properly on the tool guide.

 

[Fallon]

I don't think the new flail mowers are any more "efficient" than your old Vrismo but a larger flail would certainly let you cut more in less time. The B2920 could certainly handle a five foot flail and frankly, given that you are just mowing grass and "small woody stalks", I'd be tempted to put a six footer on. At worst you will go a bit slower in heavy grass but if you cut regularly I'd think a six foot flail would work fine. If you cut just once or twice a season then perhaps the five foot would be the better match.

If you can lift it, you can spin it. I ran a 7' flail behind my 25pto HP L3200. I had to go a little slow, but not to bad. I'm sure you could do a 5', probably 6' if you could lift it & it was stable.

I can't speak to your stability.

 

[lennyzx11]

I use a L3301 pulling an old 6 ft Mott. My slope in some areas is 30%. This is at the limit I think.
But with care, HST, and some common sense, I've managed to mow that side slope without drama so far.
I learned a few things to do to make it easier. Along with setting tires to max width, filled tires etc.

Keep it in 4wd.

Take off the loader. This was better than skimming the bucket on the ground.

Keep the rear roller on the ground and don't pick up the flail on that side slope. Leave that weight on the ground.

Slow and steady and only when grass is dry.

I have a LP rotary cutter and a LP finish mower and have pulled all of them across this area of about 25 ft wide and 200 ft long side slope just to see for myself and the flail makes the most "stable" package.

I have some wheel/axle spacers to install but haven't yet due to all the above has been working for me.

YMMV

 

[N2DFire]

HEy guys,

Sorry I haven't gotten back sooner. Been crazy with projects here at work this week.

Check with the New York DOT and Virginia DOT with regard to surplus auctions
they have lots of mowers with boom mounted flails that are used seasonally ONLY and
are a bargain when you look at the cost of new mule power.

Check with NYDOT on the states home page first as they will have auctions several times a year
for surplus mules and mowers.

I hadn't thought about that but it's a great idea. In my county VDOT actually contracts out a majority of the mowing and I happen to drive past where one of the contractors winters his equipment every day. Might have to stop and poke around one day. Being independent contractors the equipment won't go thru the surplus warehouse but will probably go to the local auctions (or just sit and rust) but I'll keep tabs there for the stuff that VDOT does own.

N2D--
We may be brothers! Same internal arguments I had, similar property (leased and getaway) and the age question combined with long term ownership vs liquidation. I am a lot older than you and I have spent more money on 'this will get me by' things than I care to admit. My decision was based on not wanting another rusting hulk that barely met my minimum requirements vs investing in the right level of quality and resale value. Each of us is different, I get it...just do what you won't regret in the long run and you will be fine. By the way, I am blown away by how smooth (no vibration and quiet) the product is that I ended up purchasing. I couldn't be happier that I didn't settle.
I only share this not based on the brand I purchased, simply the notion of buying for today...tomorrow comes soon enough.
Best of luck and keep us posted.

A brother from another mother. :thumbsup:
I do like the idea of buying an Italian made mower for the higher quality & I understand it will hold better / higher resale value if & when the time comes for me to part with it. I just fear that there will be no market for it should that time ever come.

I've always been strange when it comes to spending money on myself. I'll spend on family without a second thought but I will analyze & agonize for weeks (or in this case months to years) about spending it on myself.

Thanks to all for the advice & council. It is much appreciated.

 

[Fallon]

I use a L3301 pulling an old 6 ft Mott. My slope in some areas is 30%. This is at the limit I think.
But with care, HST, and some common sense, I've managed to mow that side slope without drama so far.
I learned a few things to do to make it easier. Along with setting tires to max width, filled tires etc.

Keep it in 4wd.

Take off the loader. This was better than skimming the bucket on the ground.

Keep the rear roller on the ground and don't pick up the flail on that side slope. Leave that weight on the ground.

Slow and steady and only when grass is dry.

I have a LP rotary cutter and a LP finish mower and have pulled all of them across this area of about 25 ft wide and 200 ft long side slope just to see for myself and the flail makes the most "stable" package.

I have some wheel/axle spacers to install but haven't yet due to all the above has been working for me.

YMMV

I did some pretty steep ditches with my L3200. Bucket low & in 2wd. 7' Ford 917 with the offset pointing uphill. Inched along all puckered up. When the high side rear wheel was spinning I knew it was to steep & backed out. I rarely mow in 4wd, less sod torn up & it gives me something left to shift into if I get stuck.