Looking at a hydraulic offset flail for the 3038e -It's Home!

[nikdfish]

Just about ready to pull the trigger. It is a two part purchase,
1) adding two rear remotes to the 3038e
2) ordering a Frontier FL1061S (mfg by Maschio) 61" hydraulic offset flail via my local JD dealer.

The attraction to this package is the ability to cut with the unit turned vertically 90 degrees, while offset 83" right of center. I really need to clear & maintain encroaching growth around fields & an unmaintained "farm" road (dirt track through several properties used for equipment access over the last 70 years or so). I also cut some roadside bank areas in our development where the downward slant option will be useful.

This particular flail is a new item for JD & earliest availability is mid September. It is sized appropriately for use with the 3038e & comes with hammers installed on the drum. I could probably save a few bucks buying the Matchup branded model, but this way I have local access to parts & service. Same with the remotes kit & install via JD.

The tentative plan is to coordinate the remotes install with the flail delivery, so I take the 3038e home with these flail mounted & ready for use.

 

[oosik]

Just be very careful when you offset or go vertical with that new flail. It could, very likely, bring your tractor to the tipping limit.

Especially when you offset to mow along a road or a down slope on a road.

Loaded and widened rear tires would help.

 

[leonz]

Just about ready to pull the trigger. It is a two part purchase,
1) adding two rear remotes to the 3038e
2) ordering a Frontier FL1061S (mfg by Maschio) 61" hydraulic offset flail via my local JD dealer.

The attraction to this package is the ability to cut with the unit turned vertically 90 degrees, while offset 83" right of center. I really need to clear & maintain encroaching growth around fields & an unmaintained "farm" road (dirt track through several properties used for equipment access over the last 70 years or so). I also cut some roadside bank areas in our development where the downward slant option will be useful.

This particular flail is a new item for JD & earliest availability is mid September. It is sized appropriately for use with the 3038e & comes with hammers installed on the drum. I could probably save a few bucks buying the Matchup branded model, but this way I have local access to parts & service. Same with the remotes kit & install via JD.

The tentative plan is to coordinate the remotes install with the flail delivery, so I take the 3038e home with these flail mounted & ready for use.

As you are new at this I want to help you with your purchase,
I am not just spending your money.

The Maschio company has been manufacturing orchard and
vineyard shredders for many years and these implements are
required to meet to more stringent European Union Safety
standards for farm equipment.

Orchard and vineyard shredders create a very large over center
control imbalance and control issue that needs to be counteracted
with loaded tires, rear wheel weights and a full rack of front weights

The rear wheels will require you to have liquid ballast and 3 rear wheel
weights per wheel to maintain the tractors stability. This maintains the
tractors centerline and ground contact when the Maschio orchard and
vineyard shredder mower is extended to its full working extended width
and when it is elevated and moved outward to its full extension width
with the mower in the vertical position.

You need the full weight of the 70 pound suitcase weights at the front
of the machine, the weight of the loaded rear tires and the 6 rear wheel
weights to counteract the over center control issues cause by the imbalance
with the shredder mowers being both extended to its full working width and
when it is elevated at its highest point and extended outward to it full width
with the mower in the vertical position.

Just imagine you are holding a 20 foot long 2" by 12" flat with a 5 gallon pail
of motor oil hanging on the end and you will understand the effects created by
the mowers geometry and the over center control issues that are created by this
implement when it is moved to the right and elevated.

As you intend to purchase this Maschio Giraffa 160I which is the rebranded
Frontier 1061S orchard and vineyard crop shredder mower you need to have
the R1 2 position ag tires mounted at their widest position for their gripping
power on your 3038E which is tire option 6211.

You need the radiator clean out screen as the radiator is not equipped with a
reversing cooling fan to blow chaff out of the radiator.

The right side rear view mirror will help you watch the mower and the road shoulder as you mow.

If your brush and trees die off/go dormant in the winter that will help you as you can mow at that
time and have less chaff to deal with and also reduce the plugging of the outer element of the air cleaner.

I am not trying to spend your money. I want you to have good results with your tractor and orchard and
vineyard crop shredder and also have a stable work platform to avoid a tip over accident.

The only other item I strongly suggest that you invest in is a wet well grinder to keep the hammer knives
sharp with their 37 degree angle. The wet well grinder can be purchased from amazon.

 

[Hay Dude]

I had a huge offset flail for years and it never felt safe. Had a few close calls and decided to sell it. Beautiful machine, but it surprised me how much it would pull my lightweight Kubota M-126X tractor over.

 

[nikdfish]

I signed the purchase order the other day, so just waiting on JD to get parts in before taking the 3038e over there. I was juggling the options for rear remotes between JD (2 connections) & WR Long (3 connections), but ended up going with the JD manual SCV set plus a Fasse multiplier to get 3 total connections. A bit of a cost bump (for the Fasse), but pay once cry once.

I went that route because going WR Long would mean on/off solenoid control without the ability to "feather" the control. Using electronic controls would mean I'd have to add flow restrictors to any cylinder that needed a softer touch on the controls. The JD dealer is sourcing all materials & doing the install/integration.

I just replaced the tires on the car hauler so I can do the 3038e transport without worrying about 13 year old tires.

 

[rumwrks]

I had a huge offset flail for years and it never felt safe. Had a few close calls and decided to sell it. Beautiful machine, but it surprised me how much it would pull my lightweight Kubota M-126X tractor over.

Holy smokes that was a 3000lb flail mower?

Central and offset/in slope mowers ZHE Series - FERRI

Trinciatrici laterali ideali per le esigenze dei professionisti della manutenzione del verde, che richiedono alta produttività ed affidabilità nel tempo.

ferrisrl.it

 

[rumwrks]

I was juggling the options for rear remotes between JD (2 connections) & WR Long (3 connections), but ended up going with the JD manual SCV set plus a Fasse multiplier to get 3 total connections. A bit of a cost bump (for the Fasse), but pay once cry once.

Does one of those have float? Having float on one remote looks like it would be super useful for the flail to allow it to ground follow...

 

[nikdfish]

Does one of those have float? Having float on one remote looks like it would be super useful for the flail to allow it to ground follow...

Yes, one of the two JD scv has a float position

 

[1 Old Man]

Please listen to leonz. Ditch bank flails are great machines, but drop that cutter head while
extended to mow a barrow ditch or steep pond bank, and you'll be surprised how many butt clenching
moments that machine will give you if not set up properly. Good luck.

 

[nikdfish]

For anyone interested, I found a pretty complete list of specifications on the Frontier FL1061S flail.

FL1061S - 61" FLAIL MOWER (SIDE OFFSET) Product Features

Dimensions

Capacity, Cutting (in.): 0.79"
Height, Cutting (in.): .78" /1.57" /2.36"
Height, Overall (in.): 38.7"
Length, Overall (in.): 71.2"
Width, Cutting (in): 61"
Width, Overall (in.): 68.88"
Weight (lbs.): 663 lbs.
Compatibility
Tractor HP Required (min. - max.): 25 - 45HP
Tractor Weight MINIMUM (lbs.): 2600 lbs.
COG (in): 45.6"
Hitch
Hitch Type: 3-point
iMatch Compatible: No
Hitch Category: 1
Hitch Position: Offset
Offset Range: Left of Center (21.5"), Fully Extended - (83")
Hydraulic Offset: Standard
Blades
Blade Type: Hammers (std); Y-Blade (service)
Number of Hammers: 32
Type of Blades/ Hammers: 19 / 21
Blade Tip Speed (ft/min): 8622
Rotor
Rotor Diameter (in.): 5"
Rotor Speed (rpm): 2600 rpm
Rotor Thickness (mm.): 8 mm.
Rotor Work Diameter (in.): 12.63"
Rotor Bearing Type: SPHERICAL ROLLER 22207
Drives
Gear Box Speed (rpm): 540 rpm
Drive Belts: 2 - SPB Lp=1160
Gauge Roller Diameter (in.): 5.5"
Other
Hydraulic Quick Coupler Size (in.): 1/2"
Frame Thickness (mm.): 3 mm.
Side Frame Thickness (mm.): 4 mm.
Roller Bearing Diameter (in): 2.4"
Rear Roller Bearing Type: D30 D62 B20 2206E 2RS1
Belt adjustment: Screw adjustment
Primary Pulley Diameter (mm.): 225 mm.
Secondary Pulley Diameter (mm.): 140 mm.
Hood Height (in.): 15.35"
Side Case Height (in.): 25.2"
PTO Yoke Height (in.): 19.29"

 

[bigtiller]

For anyone interested, I found a pretty complete list of specifications on the Frontier FL1061S flail.

FL1061S - 61" FLAIL MOWER (SIDE OFFSET) Product Features

Dimensions

Capacity, Cutting (in.): 0.79"
Height, Cutting (in.): .78" /1.57" /2.36"
Height, Overall (in.): 38.7"
Length, Overall (in.): 71.2"
Width, Cutting (in): 61"
Width, Overall (in.): 68.88"
Weight (lbs.): 663 lbs.
Compatibility
Tractor HP Required (min. - max.): 25 - 45HP
Tractor Weight MINIMUM (lbs.): 2600 lbs.
COG (in): 45.6"
Hitch
Hitch Type: 3-point
iMatch Compatible: No
Hitch Category: 1
Hitch Position: Offset
Offset Range: Left of Center (21.5"), Fully Extended - (83")
Hydraulic Offset: Standard
Blades
Blade Type: Hammers (std); Y-Blade (service)
Number of Hammers: 32
Type of Blades/ Hammers: 19 / 21
Blade Tip Speed (ft/min): 8622
Rotor
Rotor Diameter (in.): 5"
Rotor Speed (rpm): 2600 rpm
Rotor Thickness (mm.): 8 mm.
Rotor Work Diameter (in.): 12.63"
Rotor Bearing Type: SPHERICAL ROLLER 22207
Drives
Gear Box Speed (rpm): 540 rpm
Drive Belts: 2 - SPB Lp=1160
Gauge Roller Diameter (in.): 5.5"
Other
Hydraulic Quick Coupler Size (in.): 1/2"
Frame Thickness (mm.): 3 mm.
Side Frame Thickness (mm.): 4 mm.
Roller Bearing Diameter (in): 2.4"
Rear Roller Bearing Type: D30 D62 B20 2206E 2RS1
Belt adjustment: Screw adjustment
Primary Pulley Diameter (mm.): 225 mm.
Secondary Pulley Diameter (mm.): 140 mm.
Hood Height (in.): 15.35"
Side Case Height (in.): 25.2"
PTO Yoke Height (in.): 19.29"

When the specs list "offset range" ,, does fully extended - (83") mean it will offset to the right that far? The whole thing exteneds outside of the right wheel?

Will your 3038e need wheel weights on the left wheel?

Offset Range: Left of Center (21.5"), Fully Extended - (83")

 

[nikdfish]

I believe that is 83" from the centerline. Nominal width of the 3938e is 60", so 83 - 30 = 53" beyond the red wheel. That's my interpretation anyway.

 

[nikdfish]

Interim update...

The Fasse multiplier is in and a FL1061S was located in network & rerouted to my dealer. They are still working at locating the correct vintage JD scv kit for my 2010 3038e. Looks like they may have to go out of network to source it.

 

[nikdfish]

Still waiting on the dealer to set up a start date. Figured it would be a good idea to have a hydraulic top link on hand when they do. Probably putting in an order for link & hoses at Agristoreusa.com tomorrow. Looks like 2-3 day delivery to NC.

 

[Tinhack]

Just be very careful when you offset or go vertical with that new flail. It could, very likely, bring your tractor to the tipping limit.

The only thing I had to do was add more air to the rear tires. I only run enough air to keep the tread in full contact with the ground. That's about 8-10psi. When I lifted the mower for the first time, it was already extended (assembly process). The right tire went nearly flat. I carried it back to the barn that way because I didn't have the correct hydraulic couplers. I didn't feel anything squirrely about it. I just took it slow so not to pop the tire off the rim.

 

[nikdfish]

Everything is finally in at the JD dealer (after the flail being lost in transit for a bit). Took the 3038e in this afternoon along with the hydraulic top link kit I picked up.

Pics after I get it back.

 

[scootr]

Looking forward to see this rig and learning the final costs.

 

[Torvy]

Word of caution...feather the hydraulic shift slowly.

My tractor is much heavier and the flail still wants to wag the dog.

Listen to Leon. He is the flail king of TBN.

 

[nikdfish]

Yep, that's why I went with the JD mechanical scv kit rather than a solenoid based solution. Still may end up adding restrictors on the flail cylinders.

 

[workinonit]

A 3 series tractor pulling an offset flail? I hope you JD dealer ordered a truck load of wheel and front end weights for you. I've been running ditchbank cutters for 45 years. I wouldn't think about putting an offset like that behind anything less than 8000 pounds. The most dangerous thing is hooking something with the deck and rolling the tractor. It can happen in a flash. I know. Just be careful. I know you are excited with your new $12k addition but be very careful. And seriously, get your self some weights.