Flail and HP needed to run.

[dustin3207]

I have been looking at flails and obviously want one that is wider (working width)than the tractor. Betstco is the brand. I’ve talked to the sale people there and their word contradicts what the websites literature says. They said the 48” would be too big for my 25hp engine tractor, but in the manual (pictured below) clearly states,

“If your tractor is gear transmisson this Is PTO Horsepower. If it is hydro this is engine Horsepower.”

I have a LS MT225s hydro.
Would you get the EFGC155(60”)?

 

[big bubba]

what is the weight of the flail? that's what i'd be looking at in addition to pto hp requirements. are you working on slopes? also are rear tires loaded?

 

[D&D]

I have been looking at flails and obviously want one that is wider (working width)than the tractor. Betstco is the brand. I’ve talked to the sale people there and their word contradicts what the websites literature says. They said the 48” would be too big for my 25hp engine tractor, but in the manual (pictured below) clearly states,

“If your tractor is gear transmisson this Is PTO Horsepower. If it is hydro this is engine Horsepower.”

I have a LS MT225s hydro.
Would you get the EFGC155(60”)?

Your 25hp tractor has 19.3 pto hp. With the rule being 5 Hp per foot of cut, a 4 foot would be too much. Reality, depends on what you’re going to be cutting.

User Leonz has written quite a bit about flails on TBN. Would be worth searching some of his posts. https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/best-value-72”-flail-mower.474728/#post-6760411

 

[TMGT]

Go with the 48 unless you are only cutting light grass. I have an AGL165 which is 65in wide with 25hp at the pto and have to slow down a lot if I hit tall or thick grass.

 

[K5lwq]

It really depends on what you will be cutting and the terrain. 60” is going to be more than what your tractor is going to want I would think.

I would think in terms of PTO HP as that is what drives the mower. With a HST you can go very slow which is why they suggest engine HP. I just disagree with that.

 

[dustin3207]

What I have found is it’s not only how wide the flail is, but also has to do with the blade swing it has. Medium duty has a 13” swing, heavy duty has 14.5”, commercial rough is 15” swing. That is why there is a big hp difference in the 53” medium and the 53” commercial.

 

[TMGT]

Also depends on blade type or hammers and material being cut. Hammers take some power to keep spinning.

 

[Tinhack]

It sounds like you've already made up your mind. My 64" flail will load my 50hp on high weeds, so I generally use it as a finish mower. It has the spoon blades and does a fine job at leaving a finished look. Rough to look at now but I have a welder, paint and new decals for it.

 

[dustin3207]

what is the weight of the flail? that's what i'd be looking at in addition to pto hp requirements. are you working on slopes? also are rear tires loaded?

The 60” is 720 lbs.
The 48” is 600 lbs.
My tractor is rated at 1800 lbs. at the pin, so no worries there.

 

[dustin3207]

Also depends on blade type or hammers and material being cut. Hammers take some power to keep spinning.

Hammer blades is what I’d run.

 

[scootr]

I have a Besto HD flail 7ft that has been performing well. My tractor is 52 hp.
Sounds like 4ft would fit your tractor best.

 

[leonz]

I have been looking at flails and obviously want one that is wider (working width)than the tractor. Betstco is the brand. I’ve talked to the sale people there and their word contradicts what the websites literature says. They said the 48” would be too big for my 25hp engine tractor, but in the manual (pictured below) clearly states,

“If your tractor is gear transmisson this Is PTO Horsepower. If it is hydro this is engine Horsepower.”

I have a LS MT225s hydro.
Would you get the EFGC155(60”)?

If you have not made your mind up already I suggest that you buy the 36 inch cut model only.
The 5 horsepower per foot recommendations offered by some is nothing but a guide.

Your hydrostatic drive tractor consumes a great deal of power and a PTO powered implement
will drain it of more power reducing the torque available to power an implement.

A flail mower/flail shredder works best with the 2,200 Revolutions Per Minute operating speed.

The slower you travel forward the better the flail mower will work if it has the side slicer blades
as the side slicer blades will cut and recut the material and also allow you to go back over the
cut GREEN brush and grass to recut it a second time as the side slicer blades create greater lift.

You have to remember that the flail mower is belt driven and the V belt drive system is what provides
the speed needed for the flail mower rotor to spin up to 2,200+ RPM to finely slice the brush and grass.

In order to mow well and beat back invasive plants like poison oak, poison ivy and poison sumak the
brush should be mowed every 2 weeks and left at a 2 inch height.

 

[big bubba]

The 60” is 720 lbs.
The 48” is 600 lbs.
My tractor is rated at 1800 lbs. at the pin, so no worries there.

sounds doable

 

[diesel85]

I run a 700# Woodmaxx 62" flail mower on a BX2200. 22 Engine HP, and I think like 15.5 HP to the PTO.

It runs it very well, and I've cut a 6 acre field of 4' tall grasses with the roller at the top position and the rear flap open. Y-Grass Knives. NO issues. Just used low gear the entire time, sat back and spent a couple hours listening to tunes and some talk shows on SIRIUSXM.

The fellow who asked me to do it was very impressed and bought a nice little Kubota for himself, but with a finish mower and got a bush hog for half price.

I've also mowed my 8 acre yard with the roller set at it's lowest cut position, rear door closed, running in high gear. Mows it better than a finishing mower. Can turn my yard into a baseball striped field.

 

[Ricn]

My L2501 easily turns a 60 inch flail, but like others have said, the grass you are mowing can make a difference. My setup can mow very tall grass, 4ft or taller but I need to mow slower, shorter can mow faster. for my grasses and the other places I mow, could not be happier..Rear tires are loaded, mower is same width as the tires, mower has side shift option as well.

 

[doneill127]

Have a 52 flail with y blades on a 22 hp machine and never had a problem

 

[cbg8670]

Irun a 4.5 ft on 26 hp mahindra no problem running. Have to slow for tall or thick grass.
Weight wise if I'm going uphill and lift mower front tires get really light so be careful

 

[dustin3207]

Thanks for all the information!
I decided to go with the Betstco EFGC125 with hydraulic offset. I decided on the 49” because I didn’t want the implement to be way to big for going through heavy grass/brush, plus I get the offset to get closer to fences, buildings, etc. I will definitely report back with how my tractor handles it. Thanks again fellas!

 

[diesel85]

My L2501 easily turns a 60 inch flail, but like others have said, the grass you are mowing can make a difference. My setup can mow very tall grass, 4ft or taller but I need to mow slower, shorter can mow faster. for my grasses and the other places I mow, could not be happier..Rear tires are loaded, mower is same width as the tires, mower has side shift option as well.

That's the same mower I got, but without the hydraulic side shift.

I love my Woodmaxx.

 

[Ricn]

They are great mowers.