DIY poor men's FEL brush cutter

2515R Dude · Sep 22, 2023

jmc said:
I'd think an operator's worst exposure would be while mowing a sharp, downhill break where the plane of rotation tilts up toward the operator. Say, a brushy shoreline, back and forth perpendicular to the shore.

There is no exposure because it completely enclosed by metal skirt on the sides and the back and rubber skirt on the front. not like a regular brush cutter, everything is falling down.

2manyrocks · Sep 22, 2023

I've been thinking that a flail might be a better option for a front brush mower because there are so many small blades taking small bites instead of two large rotating blades. It's also shorter in length than a rotary mower deck which extends further away from the FEL lift pins. It shouldn't exert as much leverage against the FEL and be easier to manuver in brush.

That's my thinking, but help me see what I'm missing.

jmc · Sep 23, 2023

2manyrocks said:
That's my thinking, but help me see what I'm missing.

Makes sense to me but no experience with flail mowers. Hope others chime in here.

2515R Dude · Sep 23, 2023

2manyrocks said:
I've been thinking that a flail might be a better option for a front brush mower because there are so many small blades taking small bites instead of two large rotating blades. It's also shorter in length than a rotary mower deck which extends further away from the FEL lift pins. It shouldn't exert as much leverage against the FEL and be easier to manuver in brush.

That's my thinking, but help me see what I'm missing.

It is my thought also but I don't have one to try. Anyway, it is useful for some applications, especially when the brush is really thick, I was lifting it high and slowly letting it down, work slow but efficiently. Also cleaned banks of my ponds. Worked well without getting my ZT stuck. Before I had to do it with weed Wacker .

2manyrocks · Sep 23, 2023

The self powered pull behind decks like you converted are the only ones I see for sale around me used.

On the wheel situation, I tried making swivel wheels using pneumatic tires on a guide for a dirt blade. The tires didn't last very long at all. Maybe an hour. I then tried solid tires which lasted better, but aren't that great. If you feel like you need swivel tires, I'm not sure you can beat the swivel tires assemblies they make for regular brush cutters, but they will add weight.