Rusty
Gold Member
- Joined
- May 18, 2003
- Messages
- 422
- Tractor
- Kubota B7500HSD-R
Since most Caroni flail owners on TBN have TMs, I thought there might be interest in my initial observations on the smaller TL-Series, on a smaller CUT. My Caroni is a TL1500FSC, received 4/1/11, at a price of $1,756.35 including delivery to ZIP 48732 in Michigan. I just finished mowing my 5 acre pasture for the first time this year. Most of the grass was as tall as the hood of my B7500. The pasture was as long as it has ever been when I cut it, literally like cutting a hay field. Because of the initial grass height, I double-cut the field. The flail was on the highest setting, about 4".
Horse Power: Caroni rates the TL-Series flails for 20-40 Tractor HP. The B7500 has 21 Engine HP and 16 PTO HP. I mowed at 2,600 RPM (540 PTO). The heaviest grass dropped engine RPM by 100-150 RPM.
Noise: Noise is different, less air noise under me, more mechanical noise behind me. Hearing protection either way. Flails clang when the rotor stops.
Chaff: My MMM ejects fine material from under the deck front as well as from the discharge chute. This fine material is drawn into and collects on the grill screen, radiator screen, shutter plate and radiator. In dry conditions, it is not uncommon to have to have to clean everything every 30 to 60 minutes. Some of the fines also find my eyes, nose and mouth. I cleaned the cooling system twice in 10 hours of flail operation. Coolant temperature never went above normal. Nothing hit my eyes, nose nor mouth.
Cut Quality: I have mowed this pasture with a RRM, MMM and now with the flail. IMHO, the flail gave the best finish, for both the first and second cuts. No windrows, but a lot of clippings. During the second cut in the opposite direction, the right side skid accumulated clippings from the first cut and shed them into piles. I am anxious to see the cut quality when cutting reasonable height grass.
Weight: My B7500 HSD-R weighs 1,367#. Kubota specifies a maximum 42 flail (no weight given, but they specify a maximum 430# for a 49 tiller) for the B7500. The TL1500FSC is 59 and 485#. I had no problem lifting or transporting the Caroni. The front end of the B7500 did not feel light.
Gear box oil: The gear box oil was at the low level mark on the dip stick, as received. I installed the British Metrics extender (Thanks, IslandTractor!). No oil out of the dip stick hole in the first 10 hours of use.
Ground speed: I can mow at a faster speed than I can ride. I mowed in low range at about 3.5 mph. It took me about one hour per acre.
Conclusion: My B7500 appears to be able to handle the TL1500FSC; add my name to the list of happy flail owners!
Horse Power: Caroni rates the TL-Series flails for 20-40 Tractor HP. The B7500 has 21 Engine HP and 16 PTO HP. I mowed at 2,600 RPM (540 PTO). The heaviest grass dropped engine RPM by 100-150 RPM.
Noise: Noise is different, less air noise under me, more mechanical noise behind me. Hearing protection either way. Flails clang when the rotor stops.
Chaff: My MMM ejects fine material from under the deck front as well as from the discharge chute. This fine material is drawn into and collects on the grill screen, radiator screen, shutter plate and radiator. In dry conditions, it is not uncommon to have to have to clean everything every 30 to 60 minutes. Some of the fines also find my eyes, nose and mouth. I cleaned the cooling system twice in 10 hours of flail operation. Coolant temperature never went above normal. Nothing hit my eyes, nose nor mouth.
Cut Quality: I have mowed this pasture with a RRM, MMM and now with the flail. IMHO, the flail gave the best finish, for both the first and second cuts. No windrows, but a lot of clippings. During the second cut in the opposite direction, the right side skid accumulated clippings from the first cut and shed them into piles. I am anxious to see the cut quality when cutting reasonable height grass.
Weight: My B7500 HSD-R weighs 1,367#. Kubota specifies a maximum 42 flail (no weight given, but they specify a maximum 430# for a 49 tiller) for the B7500. The TL1500FSC is 59 and 485#. I had no problem lifting or transporting the Caroni. The front end of the B7500 did not feel light.
Gear box oil: The gear box oil was at the low level mark on the dip stick, as received. I installed the British Metrics extender (Thanks, IslandTractor!). No oil out of the dip stick hole in the first 10 hours of use.
Ground speed: I can mow at a faster speed than I can ride. I mowed in low range at about 3.5 mph. It took me about one hour per acre.
Conclusion: My B7500 appears to be able to handle the TL1500FSC; add my name to the list of happy flail owners!
Last edited: