Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[mjzman]

Question on Caroni TL1500c blades.
I haven't posted here in years. Find I am past due for replacing the blades on my nearly ten year old mower. Including tax and shipping new ones are now close to ten dollars each from Agri-Supply (#49410- type A&F)-- ouch. But their catalog says these are reversible and my original ones have not been reversed. However in looking at the ones that are on the mower they don't 'look' reversible-- the reverse side does not have an edge like the current front side.
Can anyone confirm whether these will cut decently if I reverse them? Would sure save a bunch of dollars if I can.

 

[TheFarmerInAdell]

leonz - I have an iMatch quick hitch on it and flail only has one hole. Its in the float when mowing and raise front end of flail in higher stuff. Real high and thick stuff I had to lift mower and roller up about 4 inches.

Grass wrapping around rotor and getting warm is my concern. I'm guessing that's from grass too high. Doesn't seem to wrap in lower tin stuff. 1st pic is where its wrapping..after I cleaned it out.
View attachment 759153

Do I have the best blades for cutting grass shown in 2nd pic? Wasn't sure if side slicers would be better Grass only. Very little brush at field edges. Have a brush hog for that stuff sitting nearby for that.
View attachment 759152

thanks again for the help everyone.

When you raise the cutter up the blades have a harder time actually cutting the grass. The grass will be moved instead of being cut. The moving comes from both the air turbulence and the blades themselves. This will cause the grass to tangle into the cutters. The closer to the base of the grass you are cutting the easier time the blades have of actually cutting the grass instead of just pushing it. It's like shaving with a razor blade. If you hold the blade off your skin it won't cut much. If it's against your skin it cuts everything. Try lowering the mower and moving slower to see if the wrapping issue continues. Tipping the flail too far up will stress your PTO shaft U-joint as the angle of the joints is greatly increased. And mowing with it completely off the ground will only cut stiff vegetation.

Most flails only have one top link hole. When I mow with my flail I set the top link on the tractor side to the bottom hole. That allows the mower to move more in an arc with the tractor instead of staying parallel. This helps with hills as the mower will be more parallel with the ground than with the rest of the tractor.

The blades you have are great for cutting grass. When it is time to replace the blades you could purchase those again or you can switch to the Alamo style blades to save yourself a few dollars. Either will cut grass great. The blades you have aren't great for brush if you ever thought about cutting brush. They'll do okay, but not great. The heavier version of the Alamo style blade does better, and it is the best option for your mower if you intend on cutting brush.

 

[TheFarmerInAdell]

Question on Caroni TL1500c blades.
I haven't posted here in years. Find I am past due for replacing the blades on my nearly ten year old mower. Including tax and shipping new ones are now close to ten dollars each from Agri-Supply (#49410- type A&F)-- ouch. But their catalog says these are reversible and my original ones have not been reversed. However in looking at the ones that are on the mower they don't 'look' reversible-- the reverse side does not have an edge like the current front side.
Can anyone confirm whether these will cut decently if I reverse them? Would sure save a bunch of dollars if I can.

I don't know anything about the Caroni blades, but you can reach out to Flailmaster to see if they have any blades that would fit your mower. They will be significantly less expensive than OEM. If you can post a picture of what you currently have it would help us help you.

 

[Beeenvenue]

I don't know anything about the Caroni blades, but you can reach out to Flailmaster to see if they have any blades that would fit your mower. They will be significantly less expensive than OEM. If you can post a picture of what you currently have it would help us help you.

Also try hardhitter.com They carry flails for my Loftness 72 where flailmaster does not so they may have something for you

 

[kf4uda]

Anyone have a source for a Ironcraft (formally Titan Implement) FL-165 flail? I am in the market for this model but can't locate one to buy at the moment.

 

[cbg8670]

Anyone have a source for a Ironcraft (formally Titan Implement) FL-165 flail? I am in the market for this model but can't locate one to buy at the moment.

I got mine from these folks just north of knoxville. See some on tractor house also

 

[kf4uda]

I got mine from these folks just north of knoxville. See some on tractor house alsoView attachment 759530

I called them and like everyone else they don't have one in stock and will be 6-8 weeks out. I appreciate your help anyways!

 

[JethroB]

Question on Caroni TL1500c blades.
I haven't posted here in years. Find I am past due for replacing the blades on my nearly ten year old mower. Including tax and shipping new ones are now close to ten dollars each from Agri-Supply (#49410- type A&F)-- ouch. But their catalog says these are reversible and my original ones have not been reversed. However in looking at the ones that are on the mower they don't 'look' reversible-- the reverse side does not have an edge like the current front side.
Can anyone confirm whether these will cut decently if I reverse them? Would sure save a bunch of dollars if I can.

I replaced all my Caroni Y blades and hardware recently. I found FlailMaster.com to be excellent to work with and far less expensive at about $2 a blade. Best to call them. I got the bolts and nylock nuts from Fastenal. Tip, cut those bolts off. Probably not salvageable anyway.

 

[leonz]

Question on Caroni TL1500c blades.
I haven't posted here in years. Find I am past due for replacing the blades on my nearly ten year old mower. Including tax and shipping new ones are now close to ten dollars each from Agri-Supply (#49410- type A&F)-- ouch. But their catalog says these are reversible and my original ones have not been reversed. However in looking at the ones that are on the mower they don't 'look' reversible-- the reverse side does not have an edge like the current front side.
Can anyone confirm whether these will cut decently if I reverse them? Would sure save a bunch of dollars if I can.

Hello mzjman,

If your Caroni TL flail mower has side slicers they are reversable to expose the new knife edge.

The fine grass dust and fine dirt dust have covered the unused edge so much it appears to not have an edge.

If you can rent a steam cleaner or pressure washer it will save you a great deal of work in removing the side slicer knives, nuts and bolts
and it will take less time to flip the knives to the new edge. It will also clean the inside of the flail mower shroud.

If you use some Fluid Film to coat the interior of the shroud it will help keep grass dust from sticking to it as well.

You should also invest in new metric nuts and bolts and use blue loctite to secure the nuts.

 

[nova3930]

Long time no talk flail fellas...been too busy working.

Someone sell me on a ditch bank mower.

My little 4ft Ford flail has been doing a bang up job with my Yanmar 2420D but I'm getting into projects where I need a bigger tractor. A 48" cutter has worked great on a 50" wide tractor but all my potential replacements I'm considering are 60"+, one pushing 72".

Add in that I have an 1100 ft long terrace line that's a royal pain to keep cleaned up. Towards the back of my property the terrace is nearly a 10ft drop steep enough that my only option has been roundup and forget it.

Make some suggestions for me. I'm looking at new equipment this time around. I'm tired of working on stuff before I can work on stuff....

 

[toolslinger]

I don't have a ditch/bank, but I've been researching since I'd like one too...
With a 10' drop, you're not going to get that with a ditch/bank unless you can take it from both the top and bottom. You're also looking for minimum 5', more likely 6' outside the tire tread. That's getting to be a pretty big cutter, and that's going to want a heavy tractor to be tied to for stability.
If you're really looking at 10' vertical drop, I think you're really more in to boom mower territory.

 

[nova3930]

I don't have a ditch/bank, but I've been researching since I'd like one too...
With a 10' drop, you're not going to get that with a ditch/bank unless you can take it from both the top and bottom. You're also looking for minimum 5', more likely 6' outside the tire tread. That's getting to be a pretty big cutter, and that's going to want a heavy tractor to be tied to for stability.
If you're really looking at 10' vertical drop, I think you're really more in to boom mower territory.

Yeah getting to it from the top isn't a problem. That's how I've been able to cut what I can up until now. I was thinking I should be able to get it 50/50 top/bottom. I'll take a picture see if people think that's crazy or not...

 

[leonz]

The largest width cut boom mounted Del Morino and Maschio Orchard
and Vineyard shredders/mowers will do this for you BUT you need a
bigger mule.

A 60-inch boom mounted orchard and Vineyard shredder/mower would
have the reach you need but your looking at something in the 40-50
horsepower class.

Would it be worth your investing in an 7-8 foot Orchard and vineyard shredder
mower and renting a row crop tractor for 2 days each time to do the mowing
if you have the height clearance for the row crop tractor??

I can send you the Del Morino and Maschio mower information so you
can look at it.

 

[nova3930]

The largest width cut boom mounted Del Morino and Maschio Orchard
and Vineyard shredders/mowers will do this for you BUT you need a
bigger mule.

A 60-inch boom mounted orchard and Vineyard shredder/mower would
have the reach you need but your looking at something in the 40-50
horsepower class.

Would it be worth your investing in an 7-8 foot Orchard and vineyard shredder
mower and renting a row crop tractor for 2 days each time to do the mowing
if you have the height clearance for the row crop tractor??

I can send you the Del Morino and Maschio mower information so you
can look at it.

40-50HP is exactly what I'm looking at size wise. Probably should have cross linked these threads....

Considering New Tractor

The Yanmar 2420D has been great, and is still going strong, but after acquiring more property I'm getting into some projects that need more power and weight. More heavier box blading, land clearance, discing, dragging, etc etc etc. I've got a local dealer I've dealt with on some small...

www.tractorbynet.com

The little Yanmar likes to bounce some with the 4ft so I know much bigger won't fly....

I would greatly appreciate the information of the Italian mowers....

 

[ning]

Long time no talk flail fellas...been too busy working.

Someone sell me on a ditch bank mower.

My little 4ft Ford flail has been doing a bang up job with my Yanmar 2420D but I'm getting into projects where I need a bigger tractor. A 48" cutter has worked great on a 50" wide tractor but all my potential replacements I'm considering are 60"+, one pushing 72".

Add in that I have an 1100 ft long terrace line that's a royal pain to keep cleaned up. Towards the back of my property the terrace is nearly a 10ft drop steep enough that my only option has been roundup and forget it.

Make some suggestions for me. I'm looking at new equipment this time around. I'm tired of working on stuff before I can work on stuff....

Can I try to sell you on goats instead

 

[nova3930]

Can I try to sell you on goats instead

lol if they didn't require fences

 

[LouNY]

I have an 86 inch on a tractor that sits at around 11,000 pounds, the mower will bounce that tractor around quite easily.

 

[leonz]

40-50HP is exactly what I'm looking at size wise. Probably should have cross linked these threads....

Considering New Tractor

The Yanmar 2420D has been great, and is still going strong, but after acquiring more property I'm getting into some projects that need more power and weight. More heavier box blading, land clearance, discing, dragging, etc etc etc. I've got a local dealer I've dealt with on some small...

www.tractorbynet.com

The little Yanmar likes to bounce some with the 4ft so I know much bigger won't fly....

I would greatly appreciate the information of the Italian mowers....

The smallest Maschio boom mounted hedge cutter with the upper and lower boom is the KATIA unit in the 50-60 horsepower range and it would allow you
to mow the slope from the ditch or the lane shoulder but you would need to make 2-3 passes.

The new mule would have to have the hydraulic capacity and flow to power the boom mounted flail mower.

You would have to decide which style of mower knife and knife hanger you want and any additional attachment options you would need for your mowing needs among them being an oil cooler and external engine mounted hydraulic pump and reservoir. All of the additional attachment options are shown and described in the Maschio boom mower catalog.

The new mule would also have the correct center of gravity and machine weight to allow the KATIA model boom mower to work in all positions and provide the stability for the proper over center control of the flail mower head on the lower boom in all positions as described in the excellent working illustrations showing the mower
heads fully extended upper and lower reach for mowing and hedge cutting.


For some reason I cannot upload a copy of the KATIA boom mower brochure but it can be accessed through the Maschio home page or by the following.

Maschio-Gaspardo/hedge-cutter-arm-range/169-26859.html#

I have attached both the Del Morino and the Maschio flail mower catalogs which describe the offset mower shredders they offer.
below.

 

[nova3930]

The smallest Maschio boom mounted hedge cutter with the upper and lower boom is the KATIA unit in the 50-60 horsepower range and it would allow you
to mow the slope from the ditch or the lane shoulder but you would need to make 2-3 passes.

The new mule would have to have the hydraulic capacity and flow to power the boom mounted flail mower.

You would have to decide which style of mower knife and knife hanger you want and any additional attachment options you would need for your mowing needs among them being an oil cooler and external engine mounted hydraulic pump and reservoir. All of the additional attachment options are shown and described in the Maschio boom mower catalog.

The new mule would also have the correct center of gravity and machine weight to allow the KATIA model boom mower to work in all positions and provide the stability for the proper over center control of the flail mower head on the lower boom in all positions as described in the excellent working illustrations showing the mower
heads fully extended upper and lower reach for mowing and hedge cutting.


For some reason I cannot upload a copy of the KATIA boom mower brochure but it can be accessed through the Maschio home page or by the following.

Maschio-Gaspardo/hedge-cutter-arm-range/169-26859.html#

I have attached both the Del Morino and the Maschio flail mower catalogs which describe the offset mower shredders they offer.
below.

I think that Katia might be more machine than I want....

My thought had been one of the offsets used like the first picture in the Maschio brochure is showing. Run one direction from the top and then run the other direction from the bottom with the mower rotated up.

Still gotta take that picture so people can tell me if I'm crazy or not....

 

[nova3930]

I have an 86 inch on a tractor that sits at around 11,000 pounds, the mower will bounce that tractor around quite easily.
View attachment 761331

86 is a good size mower. What brand is that? Don't think I've seen yellow/green before....