Woodmaxx FM78H vs Woodmaxx FM62H with hammers for Kioti CK3520HST

[aleksanderw]

Planning to buy a flail mower for my Kioti and I am torn between these mowers. FM62 covers width of rear wheels with ability to offset 10-12 in to the outside of right tire. It is kind of weak in my opinion.
Then there is FM78 which allows for plenty of offset which I really like, but Woodmaxx says it requires 30HP PTO minimum which Kioti CK3520 HST does not meet. Initially, I will be cutting a lot of blackberries, small saplings 1-1.5 in to clear some more land an to turn it into pasture. Can Kioti CK3520 HST handle larger FM78H without any problems?

I wish Woodmaxx would make these in 6in increments like some other brands do. I would not have this dilemma.

 

[Stan B]

You'll be fine with the FM78. PTO HP recommendations are such a crap shoot because there are so many other variables. IMO this is where your HST will shine vs a gear drive. Slow down in the thick stuff, speed up when you can, and any speed in between that's right for the terrain.

I bought a swing arm flail (like for mowing ditch banks) that just barely covers my tire width and could have definitely gone wider with my CK3510.

Edit to add: I don't know if the WoodMaxx gearboxes have integrated overrunning clutches, but if not and your tractor is electric PTO engagement, you might want one of these: Overrunning Clutch-PTO Overrun Clutch
It will save your integral PTO brake from having to stop all that rotating mass.

 

[aleksanderw]

You'll be fine with the FM78. PTO HP recommendations are such a crap shoot because there are so many other variables. IMO this is where your HST will shine vs a gear drive. Slow down in the thick stuff, speed up when you can, and any speed in between that's right for the terrain.

I bought a swing arm flail (like for mowing ditch banks) that just barely covers my tire width and could have definitely gone wider with my CK3510.

Edit to add: I don't know if the WoodMaxx gearboxes have integrated overrunning clutches, but if not and your tractor is electric PTO engagement, you might want one of these: Overrunning Clutch-PTO Overrun Clutch
It will save your integral PTO brake from having to stop all that rotating mass.

Thank you Stan. I have checked with Woodmaxx and both flails gearboxes come with integrated overrunning clutches so no worries there. I have spent afternoon running with a wooden ruler around my property and it seems to me that FM78H will fit with a couple of "maybe not spots". Do you see any disadvantages of going with FM78 ( it is actually 80in wide 920lbs vs FM62 being 65in. 810lbs )?

 

[Stan B]

Thank you Stan. I have checked with Woodmaxx and both flails gearboxes come with integrated overrunning clutches so no worries there. I have spent afternoon running with a wooden ruler around my property and it seems to me that FM78H will fit with a couple of "maybe not spots". Do you see any disadvantages of going with FM78 ( it is actually 80in wide 920lbs vs FM62 being 65in. 810lbs )?

The 3ph is more than capable of lifting both of those mowers. I think it's rated around 1300 lbs at 24 in past the end of the arms. HP wise, I think you'll be fine with either, just go slower with the wider one. Being able to get into a bit of a tighter spot with the smaller one may be a feature that is valuable to you, but that's up to you to determine. Another aspect is the amount of swing when you turn corners. A bigger 3ph mower will require a little more planning since it swings farther out than the tractor.