Flail Mower Caroni flail purchase?

Big Daddy · Sep 3, 2007

I am very interested in buying a 72" flail mower for my Montana 3644 HST. From what I have been reading in this forum, the Caroni TM1900 seems to have a high satisfaction rating, as well as a very cost effective purchase price.

My tractor is about 66" from outside to outside of the rear tires. How much beyond the outside of the right rear will the Caroni mower reach at maximum offset? Would this be increased or reduced by the hydraulic shift kit? Lastly, is the hydraulic shift kit worth the cost?

George

Reg · Sep 3, 2007

I've been looking at it too.
I think 1900 means 1900mm or 1.9m
74.8 inches.

The neat thing about that particular flail is that you can offset it and mow under bushes, trees, fences, whatever else you want to not run down with the tractor.
I don't think that it matters if you don't cover your tire tracks on the other (left) side, at some point maybe you just have to reverse direction and go around clockwise (-:
Somewhere else I think someone said that his overhangs the right side by as much as 20 inches, but his is a 60 inch wide (narrow) tractor, so maybe 17 inches for your 66 inch wide (so is mine).

texbaylea · Sep 3, 2007

I am in the process of installing the shift kit now so can not report on it use just yet. The shift kit is a convenience thing. If you primarily would be using the mower along a fence it is not really necessary. If however you have some places where it is tight getting your tractor through the kit would help to minimize the width of the unit.

I have only used my mower about 10 hours but managed to hang it up twice from forgetting how far it sticks out. I am think about some sort of "curb feeler" that sticks out from the operators deck to remind me where that end is. Would have to be flexible and extendable.

Vernon

GreenMtns · Sep 3, 2007

The TM1900 measures 26" between the bottom links. Measuring from the right side it is 41" to the first right link (there are two possible setups). 34" to the the next link.

Lets see if i can be a little clearer.

-----I I------ I I -------41"-------- If you use the left two.
____________________________

If you use the right two it is 34" to the right side.

A picture may help. It is clickable so you can see the two link positions on the right side.

At first it looks like you would have to move the tower if you wanted to change the lower links, however after using the hydraulic shift kit and seeing the amount of offset it has, If I did not go with the shift kit I would mount the tower on the set closest to the middle of the mower, not the ones used in the picture. I would then put the draw links (they are installed with pins) in the set I needed at that time. It will offset the PTO shaft but it offsets no matter what you do and a lot more with he shift kit.

Is the hydraulic shift kit necessary?

That depends on your needs. In my case the TM1900 has too little clearance in a bridge I have to cross to get to one of my fields. Will it get through without it? Yes, but way to close for comfort. Hooking and damaging an expensive piece of equipment just does not sit right with me.

And since my barn doors are 8' wide you want to pay attention putting the tractor away if the flail mower is on it. I also trim along a stone wall and it makes doing that job a snap.
So in my case the answer is yes.

Yours needs may be different but the mower is very well built and I am sold on it. Does a great job on grasses, weeds, and small brush.

Reg · Sep 3, 2007

texbaylea said:
I am in the process of installing the shift kit now so can not report on it use just yet. The shift kit is a convenience thing. If you primarily would be using the mower along a fence it is not really necessary. If however you have some places where it is tight getting your tractor through the kit would help to minimize the width of the unit.

I have only used my mower about 10 hours but managed to hang it up twice from forgetting how far it sticks out. I am think about some sort of "curb feeler" that sticks out from the operators deck to remind me where that end is. Would have to be flexible and extendable.

Vernon

"Curb feeler"
Maybe a glass fiber driveway snow plow marker stick ?
perhaps even hang a little flag from it too. Kids bikes used to come with those already mounted (-:
I think I'd try to make up a clip of some sort to attach it to the right step.

GreenMtns · Sep 3, 2007

If I did not go with the shift kit I would mount the tower on the set closest to the middle of the mower, not the ones used in the picture. I would then put the draw links (they are installed with pins) in the set I needed at that time. It will offset the PTO shaft but it offsets no matter what you do and a lot more with he shift kit.

I don't know where my was on that one but it sure wasn't on track. The tower has to be mounted on the same set of lower links that you are using. It can not be done as I suggested above.

Sorry 'bout that

sandman2234 · Sep 3, 2007

Those flags for bicycles, wheelchairs etc that they sell would work, or an old CB radio antenna. Mount it sideways from your front bumper and cut it off at the right distance. That might be a good idea for me to add to my Ford as it has duals on it that measure 11'3" and one of my gates is 11'6" which requires a little thought before proceeding through it.
David from jax

Big Daddy · Sep 4, 2007

Thanks for all of the input. Since I am too old (lazy?) to reposition the mount manually to account for offset, I am probably going to order the Caroni and the hydraulic shift kit. However, I will keep an eye on the posts for a few more days to see if anyone tries to talk me out of it.

George

texbaylea · Sep 4, 2007

Big Daddy

Be aware that there will probably be a wait to get the shift kit. I believe that GreenMtns and I got the only 2 kits in the first shipment but check with Agri-Supply on this. Also mounting requires drilling 8, 1/2" holes in the housing (5mm steel).

I do recommend the Caroni flail mower.

Vernon