Going To Buy A New Flail - What To Get?

[wirlybird]

Hi all,
Ok so the time has come to buy a new flail mower. It will run on a John Deere 3032E or a 3038E. 25/30 PTO HP respectively.
I am thinking I want a 6 to 6 1/2 footer with hammer type cutters. Was told I can get a really good cut from those cutters and much more durable than the finish style blades.
I will generally be cutting fields and large areas that are mostly grasses and light weeds, field type areas I want a better cut than a brush hog. The areas should be mostly void of rocks and wood.

I don't need anything fancy, no hydraulics etc., just reliable.
I'd like to stay in the $2000 or under if possible.

I know this gets asked a lot and I've read many threads and just looking for current thoughts.
Hoping to capitalize on year end and off season pricing!
Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Rebeldad1]

Call Betstco. ( Betstco.com) they have a good selection and you should find what you want. Sounds like your selection will depend on what you have to spend more than the size you want.

My flail mower from them is 3 years old and still like new without any issues. Still have another year of extended warranty on it as well.

If its in stock it will ship right away.

 

[wirlybird]

Thank you. I will be sure to take a look at them.

 

[Macinnis]

I like my woodmaxx flail.

 

[wirlybird]

Will be ordering from Betstco. November 25-29 black Friday sale 15% off I think he said!

I will be going with the FH-EFGC155 60" heavy duty flail. This ought to do a great job.

 

[kenmbz]

I have the 48HD for my SCUT and it has done well.
Like all hammer flails, keep it away from rocks.

It was nice to get my trails in shape this year and take out a bunch of brush while seated.

Does a good job on the grass and weeds too.

 

[wirlybird]

I'm going to mainly be doing grassy fields and may encounter sticks and other debris.
I've read that the hammer flails will cut grass just as good as the other type but hold up better.

 

[SmallChange]

You can check out fails on youtube. There are zillions, and they're most entertaining.

Oh, wait, that was a typo, wasn't it?

 

[Menagerie-Manor]

Will be ordering from Betstco. November 25-29 black Friday sale 15% off I think he said!

I will be going with the FH-EFGC155 60" heavy duty flail. This ought to do a great job.

The only issue with my Bestco HD flail was the quality of the belts so don't order an extra set with the purchase. I cooked them in under 4 hours of use and recommend swapping out to Kevlar belts before coating everything with burnt rubber. NAPA was able to match me up no problem.

 

[wirlybird]

The only issue with my Bestco HD flail was the quality of the belts so don't order an extra set with the purchase. I cooked them in under 4 hours of use and recommend swapping out to Kevlar belts before coating everything with burnt rubber. NAPA was able to match me up no problem.

Watching several videos one thing I found common was that the belts are loose when the flail arrived.
They gave me the NAPA part number for the belts so I'll just go there.

 

[Granthol]

Good call on the 5 footer. I got the 6 and it’s a lot for 30 HP

 

[cholland]

I have the EFG-175, 68". Run it behind my Kioti 3510, just under 30 HP on the PTO. Been 3 years, no problems. Haven't even cooked the belts once. Mostly grass, up to 2 ft. and some small brush, never had it bog down. Just watch out for rocks, they will break hammers. Only thing I don't like is the protection around the roller zerks is small, can't use the lock n lube on them.

 

[wirlybird]

I kept wanting to go for the 68 inch but I want to run on my 3032E and my 3038E so best to paly it safe I guess!
It's probably going to do more time on the 3032E and that is 25 PTO HP so I think the difference in size isn't a game changer anyway.

 

[wirlybird]

60" Heavy Duty Flail Mower, FH-EFGC155 has been ordered! They are having a 15%-20% off sale depending on the item.
15% off on the flail is a great savings.
Now we see how long I have to wait!

 

[Fallon]

I'm going to mainly be doing grassy fields and may encounter sticks and other debris.
I've read that the hammer flails will cut grass just as good as the other type but hold up better.

I have a retired ancient beat to hell Ford 917 wits side slicers & a new heavy Peruzzo Brush Bull with 5lbs hammers that are as sharp as my fingers (not very). I really don't notice any cut quality differences is field & pasture mowing. Hammers do WAY better on on up to wrist size brush. Side slicers only cut up to finger sized brush. You'd think thin metal knives would cut better than a dull hammer, but I can't tell a difference. Probably a difference on a lawn, but I don't have (or want) one of those.

 

[wirlybird]

I have a retired ancient beat to hell Ford 917 wits side slicers & a new heavy Peruzzo Brush Bull with 5lbs hammers that are as sharp as my fingers (not very). I really don't notice any cut quality differences is field & pasture mowing. Hammers do WAY better on on up to wrist size brush. Side slicers only cut up to finger sized brush. You'd think thin metal knives would cut better than a dull hammer, but I can't tell a difference. Probably a difference on a lawn, but I don't have (or want) one of those.

I have a Ford 917L with new side slicers and it does an ok job in light grass. I hit a 2" X 1 foot log, hardly a log, and it bent two knives. Now it leaves a streak!

 

[Menagerie-Manor]

60" Heavy Duty Flail Mower, FH-EFGC155 has been ordered! They are having a 15%-20% off sale depending on the item.
15% off on the flail is a great savings.
Now we see how long I have to wait!

They usually ship from stock and they were loaded the last time I was there.

 

[wirlybird]

They usually ship from stock and they were loaded the last time I was there.

Yup, it's all good.

 

[wirlybird]

The new flail has shipped! Now we wait for the call for delivery!

 

[LindenBruce]

I need to get one soon myself. The Woodmaxx FM-78 is 2909.00 and the Betstco FH-EFGC 77 is 2665.00. So both units are not that far apart in pricing. Hum.... B.