Boom Mower compared to Offset Mower

[kthompson]

I have used and have a boom mower with flail cutter head. I have used it cut ditches, right of way, tree line, pond bank, tree limbs. Problem with the boom mower is hand full to connect or disconnect from my tractor. Cutting limbs if not a requirement, so the reach is not needed. I really would like to be able to connect easy to tractor to mow around pond and ditches. Have considered selling boom mower and getting the offset flail mower design that will tilt the cutter head up or down and also will swing the cutter head to the side of the tractor.

I know what I have and does the job good, just not easy at all to connect to tractor and needs heavier tractor. Currently have tractor (JD 5525) that handles it fine but am considering downsizing as am retiring from my small farming operation. Never have used a quick connect system other than Pat's, might be a good option.

Have done fair amount of looking at the offset flail mowers on line and the side reach does not seem to fully clear the right rear tire which I think means the tire needs to be right on the edge of a ditch to trim it vertically.

Looking for thoughts and recommendations.

 

[Atchuuu]

Following

 

[leonz]

Hello and good morning kthompson,

Do not give up!!!, a quick hitch should solve the mower wrangling issue for you.

 

[LouNY]

I would not trust most quick hitches with a boom mower,
to much weight and bouncing with one side being unloaded and the other side being loaded.
When boomed out very far the lifting force on the left side of the 3 point is quite large with a corresponding downward loading force on the right side of the 3 point.
Even on large tractors (125 hp) when the boom is extended out and up and you go into a dip or hole with a tire the swing and sway can create quite the pucker factor at times,
then throw in some down hill slopes it gets fun.

 

[TerryR]

Have done fair amount of looking at the offset flail mowers on line and the side reach does not seem to fully clear the right rear tire which I think means the tire needs to be right on the edge of a ditch to trim it vertically.

Yes, reach beyond the rear tire is an issue, especially if you have your rears set wide for hillside use, as I do. The various brands of ditch and bank mowers do very a bit in their reach beyond the center line of the tractor, so look carefully at their specs on that. I bought my Peruzzo in part because it seemed to have more reach than the others I looked at.

You don't actually have to have the tire on the edge of the ditch to trim down into the ditch if you are willing to give up a bit of the width of the mower - the inboard end will ride up off the ground if you let the mower down into the ditch. You can't actually trim a vertical ditch bank - the ones I looked at had something like a maximum 60 degree downward angle, while they had a 90 degree upward angle.

 

[metalbender]

Have a ditch mower from Mateng, Chinese of course. Swings out, up, down, also right behind. Along with the Bush Hog rotary, all my cutting needs are under control. I remove the quick hitch to use it.

 

[kthompson]

I would not trust most quick hitches with a boom mower,
to much weight and bouncing with one side being unloaded and the other side being loaded.
When boomed out very far the lifting force on the left side of the 3 point is quite large with a corresponding downward loading force on the right side of the 3 point.
Even on large tractors (125 hp) when the boom is extended out and up and you go into a dip or hole with a tire the swing and sway can create quite the pucker factor at times,
then throw in some down hill slopes it gets fun.

I

Totally agree. It moves enough had it to work regular clip pins out of each side. First time it happened cost me a fender. Second time was checking them often enough caught it. Now used pins with flip rings on them.

 

[kthompson]

TerryR, how well do you like your Peruzzo mower? I was aware the mowers would not turn totally vertically down, some read they will up. Good info. What kind of height can you reach when vertical?

Metalbender, had any issues with your mower? Any issue on getting parts?

Thanks

 

[TerryR]

I find the Peruzzo to very well made. Nice finishing touches, like the grease fitting you can't get to behind the belt guard is piped up to where you can reach it, and there is a plastic "gasket" between the belt guard and the body where it attaches to keep it from rattling and wearing.

I've found two issues that apply to my usage, but I don't know that either is unique to Peruzzo. I only mow twice a year, and get some steamy weeds that grow two to three feet tall. I had an awful time cutting them until I took the front guard off, because it was bending them over and they never got cut. Once I fixed that it cuts very well.

The other is a safety bypass valve on the cylinder that extends the mower head outward, that's designed to keep you from damaging the unit by opening it into an obstacle. The problem is it opens when you try to open the mower up a side or rear hill. I've helped it some by tightening up the adjustment screw but it would be better if I could figure out how to plump it out of the system.

It's great on banks and ditches, and under the trees that are all around our field. It also works well as a field mower with it offset so the tractor tires don't run over the weeds before they are cut. I do lose a bit of the width of the mower because it doesn't quiet run outside of the rear tire with them set as wide as I have them. I tried to pull it off to the right with the side links on the 3-point but that causes too much angle on the PTO shaft and causes the u-joints to hit at certain angles.

I finally sold my Bush Hog rotary cutter because it does a better job as a field mower because of not running over the material before it's cut.

As to the vertical height, that is the length of the cut, 5 ft. in my case, plus how high you can lift with the 3-point hitch. I'd guess that's two to three feet depending on how you have the 3-point set up.

 

[metalbender]

Haven't had any issues yet. Using hammer type cutters. It did ball up twice on some long, soft grass. Stopped dead, belts howled before the included slip clutch did it's job. Easy to clear with a utility knife in the vertical position. Second season of use. Did a great job on an ovegrowth of carragana, lots over an inch thick.

 

[kthompson]

TerryR, the Peruzzo mower. Any idea where it is made? I thought it was Italy but after looking think maybe Asia.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have this PERFECT brand flail/hammer style mower. Not much harder to put on than my regular 917 Ford Flail Mowers. Goes up a bit but no good for doing trees.

 

[Industrial Toys]

View attachment 625103

I have this PERFECT brand flail/hammer style mower. Not much harder to put on than my regular 917 Ford Flail Mowers. It goes out maybe four feet from what you see there. Goes up a bit but no good for doing trees.

 

[TerryR]

TerryR, the Peruzzo mower. Any idea where it is made? I thought it was Italy but after looking think maybe Asia.

It was represented as made in Italy, and I've seen nothing to make me think otherwise. The fit and finish certainly don't look like what I've been lead to expect from machinery from the Far East. Why do you think otherwise?

I'll look for labels on mine see if anything's there.

 

[RickB]

I would not downsize from a 5525 to use an offset flail mower. That is about the best advise I can give you.

 

[kthompson]

It was represented as made in Italy, and I've seen nothing to make me think otherwise. The fit and finish certainly don't look like what I've been lead to expect from machinery from the Far East. Why do you think otherwise?

I'll look for labels on mine see if anything's there.

Not finding the web site I was looking at them at but the pricing there and weight specs were about the same as another brand understood to be Asian made. Hope I am wrong. Thanks Terry

 

[TerryR]

Here's the website of the company in Italy: Flail mower for sale and flail mower blades | Peruzzo.it

I assume you have found the dealer in the US, Iowa Farm Equipment.

 

[Atchuuu]

Not sure if this is true of all their products or not but here is what I found online

https://www.peruzzo.it/eng/flail-mower-price.html

100% MADE IN ITALY
UP TO 2 YEARS OF WARRANTY
PRODUCT TESTED IN EVERY STAGE
ABOUT 50 YEARS IN THE SECTOR
CAPILLARY PRESENCE IN 80 COUNTRIES
IMMEDIATE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

 

[leonz]

The Peruzzo family manufacturers and sells hundreds of pieces of farm machinery and mowers of all types in Italy.
They sell and export them to the European Union members and other countries.

 

[kthompson]

TerryR and Atchuuu, thank you. I looked back myself early this morning and must have just read pricing all wrong before. Had to have misread the web site was on totally. Sorry.

As to dealer, is Iowa Farm their only one? Never heard much at all about them. Which often means they do a good job.

Thank each of you on your input. KT