Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

   / Let's talk flail mowers #6,831  
Just bought a new Pac-Flail, model SPF made in Eugene Oregon by Rears MFG.
SPF flail -- Rear's Manufacturing
It is really built well and works GREAT!
The entire unit is of 1/4" steel.
I ordered it with the heavy duty, dual position mast because I don't have remotes.
VERY happy with this mower.
If you like Made In America and like the aspect of all parts available in the US, consider paying a little more and getting A LOT more.

Those are really well built. If you keep it greased and cared for, you can use one of those 8 hours a day, every day, and it will last and last. I am guessing it is double or triple the price of a Chinese mower though.
 
   / Let's talk flail mowers #6,832  
That does look like a nice flail, but judging by the listed weights they aren't necessarily any heavier duty than say the Woodmaax I bought. That 6 foot unit lists as 710lbs; the SPF is 755lbs. Mine doesn't have the rakes or any hydraulics.

That said, if you could take some pics and post them I'd be interested to see them. SPF doesn't have very good images on their site.
 
   / Let's talk flail mowers #6,833  
That does look like a nice flail, but judging by the listed weights they aren't necessarily any heavier duty than say the Woodmaax I bought. That 6 foot unit lists as 710lbs; the SPF is 755lbs. Mine doesn't have the rakes or any hydraulics.

That said, if you could take some pics and post them I'd be interested to see them. SPF doesn't have very good images on their site.

Sounds like the Woodmax is a heavy beast. That is generally a good thing. I've not personally run a Woodmax, but it sounds like they do a good job. The mowers made to run commercially will often run larger shafts, larger bearings, etc. Not sure if that is true across the board...just a general observation.
 
   / Let's talk flail mowers #6,834  
I do not think the Woodmaax is comparable to an Alamo or Vrismo. That said, I do run my flail mowers commercially - I couldn't justify the $8k for an Alamo 6-footer, and not much less for a Vrismo. So I tried the other route, which were the cheap Chinese ones. The Titans (this is my third [and final] one) last about one season, and that's with you making some repairs. The Woodmaax seems to be better from my experience...I'm thinking I might be able to get 3-4 seasons out of it, maybe more. Or maybe I'm just being cheap.
 
   / Let's talk flail mowers #6,835  
I do not think the Woodmaax is comparable to an Alamo or Vrismo. That said, I do run my flail mowers commercially - I couldn't justify the $8k for an Alamo 6-footer, and not much less for a Vrismo. So I tried the other route, which were the cheap Chinese ones. The Titans (this is my third [and final] one) last about one season, and that's with you making some repairs. The Woodmaax seems to be better from my experience...I'm thinking I might be able to get 3-4 seasons out of it, maybe more. Or maybe I'm just being cheap.

Titan Implement out of Tennessee brings in an Italian looking (probably a copy) heavy duty flail made in India. They are grey. Totally different from Titan Attachments orangish one. It is unfortunate that they use essentially the same name as they are different companies, different mowers, etc. If you have a dealer nearby that sells the (Tennessee) Titan, you should check it out. We added the Titan (grey) flails to our product line close to a year ago and they have been great. They are not a Vrisimo/Rears Pak Flail/Alamo, but about as close as you can get for something that costs half or less. We have sold several into commercial orchards and so far nobody has broke one...and that's saying something. I'm not trying to sell you one, I'm on the other coast, but you should check them out if available in your area.
 
   / Let's talk flail mowers #6,836  
Thanks Dave - I will check availability. I'm putting about 200 hours per flail per year on mine, so we'll see how the Woodmaax does. However, if it starts to fail I'll look in to the other Titan...I have heard of it, but never checked into it too much.
 
   / Let's talk flail mowers #6,837  
View attachment 664451View attachment 664452

Here's how I welded my Titan uprights to the top link.

The Woodmaax is still made in China, but it is vastly better. The bearings are Japanese, the belt has a spring tensioner, the roller is larger, the grease zerks are protected, the chain mesh deflector is solidly mounted, the driveshaft has a slip clutch. There are multiple lift points.

I hate buying Chinese crap but Woodmaax is a reputable company and can supply parts at least.

Well, my replacement Chicomm flail top link brackets just failed so, I'm going to follow your advice and weld these. I may have my welder make some support straps so if the welds break, the support straps will keep the mower attached to the 3 point. May attach the supports to the gearbox. There are several unused threaded holes in the gearcase. We'll see.

Chinses crap.... IMG_0893.JPGno more of it for me.
 
Last edited:
   / Let's talk flail mowers #6,838  
Well to my great dismay, it looks like the Woodmax may be worth the 2700 usd they are asking for. The titan implement grey flail looks good, but it's not on their website? Found some online brochures with 3 grades of flails, but there is no pricing. Also looks like the smallest one they make is 6'. I am thinking 5' would be a better match for me.
 
   / Let's talk flail mowers #6,839  
...I'm thinking I might be able to get 3-4 seasons out of it, maybe more. Or maybe I'm just being cheap.

Can you clarify what you mean by getting 3 or 4 years?
What do you expect to happen that would cause you to need to buy a new one?
 
   / Let's talk flail mowers #6,840  
Well, my replacement Chicomm flail top link brackets just failed so, I'm going to follow your advice and weld these. I may have my welder make some support straps so if the welds break, the support straps will keep the mower attached to the 3 point. May attach the supports to the gearbox. There are several unused threaded holes in the gearcase. We'll see.

My welds are ugly and I took no pains to clean them up and paint, but they are holding up fine even with rough use. This is just a poor design. The uprights themselves are heavy and the metal is fairly thick, but its a poor design to try to support over 600lbs. The steel may be inferior as Chinese steel tends to have a lot of impurities, who knows. I used a plate and bent it to match; then pierced the holes with a torch...then welded top and bottom, and the key is to weld up the sides. Makes it much stronger. Also welded the tear in the seam.
 
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2019 MMDI 14ft T/A Utility Trailer w/ Fuel Tank (A48082)
2019 MMDI 14ft T/A...
2005 John Deere 824J Articulated Wheel Loader (A49461)
2005 John Deere...
2013 TRAVIS BODY & TRAILER, INC. ALUMINUM BELLY DUMP (A50854)
2013 TRAVIS BODY &...
2018 Ford Explorer AWD SUV (A50324)
2018 Ford Explorer...
HONDA EU2200EI INVERTER GENERATOR (A50854)
HONDA EU2200EI...
2000 Ford F150 (A49461)
2000 Ford F150...
 
Top