Flail Mower Caroni TM1900 question...

xtn · Jul 2, 2011

check it out

joemd11 · Jul 2, 2011

xtn, I have to try that configuration out the next time I mow. I have been leaving the bottom links double pinned and using the slot for the top link. I have many dips and mounds in the area I mow and in this configuration the mower rocks back and forth quite a bit. And you say to leave the position control all the way down (forward)? I've been leaving mine in about the middle simply because I didn't know any better. Thanks for the info!

xtn · Jul 3, 2011

When using the slot to let the top link float as you have been doing, and as apparently most owners on this forum have been doing, you do need to keep the position control up to hold the front of the mower off the ground.

In my configuration, the top link is extended to serve that purpose, freeing you to give up control of the lower links and let them float all the way.

Please try this out yourself and report back. I would like to know if you find it to work as well as I do.

Set up on level ground. I used my concrete parking slab so I could see the angle/spacing very well without grass being in my way. Drop the mower all the way down, then extend the top link until the mower is resting only on the rear roller, with the front of the skids angled up a bit as I've described. Don't forget to remove the forward pins from those lower swiveling mounts so they can actually swivel. Now you're ready to mow!

xtn

8404 · Jul 4, 2011

pictures please

How are those Coroni flails holding up? Do they seem up to being used commercialy like 8 hours a day?

xtn · Jul 5, 2011

I have one picture in this thread. There are several other pictures scattered around the forum that you can find if you search for the word Caroni and read some of the threads that turn up. I'm happy to post a close-up picture of something specific if you ask.

I don't see any reason it couldn't be used 8 hours a day in a controlled environment, as it is pretty stout. For mowing a pasture and light brush I'm sure one could use it day in and day out, provided one greases everything each morning. But it is NOT a super-heavy duty unit with hammers that can be blindly run through the worst conditions. I would not be comfortable pulling it along the side of a highway and hitting who-knows-what with it. So it's what I might call "light commercial grade."

xtn

IslandTractor · Jul 5, 2011

xtn said:
Got my new Caroni TM1900BSC from AgriSupply and am very happy. I have two questions:

1. Can anybody specify a flat edged blade from flailmaster.com that fits correctly? I saw in a thread from 2009 that someone had done this, but the link provided doesn't work, and the part number that seems to be a part of the link doesn't get any hits on flailmaster product search.

2. I haven't seen anyone in any other thread mention the pins on the lower attachment bars. There are two pins through each lower attachment bar on the mower, and it appears that removing the forward pins would allow the attachment bars to rotate around the rearward pins, allowing each side to float a few inches independently when mounted to the 3pt. Has anybody tried this?

xtn

Here is a link to the flailmaster duplicates for the Caroni blades. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/2011141-post881.html

I have been using them for a year and they really are exact duplicates. Much cheaper from flailmaster.

As you will see in my other post, I have yet to find an alternative source for the metric sized clevis ($6) that virtually always needs to be replaced as well. In my experience in losing about a dozen pairs of knives, the clevis is the culprit 90% of the time. The knives rarely break. Of course having the clevis break is somewhat of a safety feature kind of like a shear bolt but it does mean that you need to replace the clevis and two blades each time. About $13 total plus shipping from AgriSupply each time.

Regarding the attachment pins. I haven't modified those and suspect that using just one might put more strain or pressure on the toplink. Not sure about that.

IslandTractor · Jul 5, 2011

8404 said:
pictures please

How are those Coroni flails holding up? Do they seem up to being used commercialy like 8 hours a day?

I'd say they are built about the same as a medium duty bush hog. Not quite up to roadside mowing of axles and cinderblocks but perfectly capable of running 8 hours/day in pastures or light/medium brush clearing. Rocks are the main hazard and those just break the knives off which can be replaced in the field. Daily greasing of rotor shaft bearings is critical.

xtn · Jul 5, 2011

IslandTractor said:
Here is a link to the flailmaster duplicates for the Caroni blades. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/2011141-post881.html

Thank-you! I'm interested in the flat/scoop blade type as well as replacement Y blades. Found one of those by any chance?

xtn

IslandTractor · Jul 5, 2011

xtn said:
Thank-you! I'm interested in the flat/scoop blade type as well as replacement Y blades. Found one of those by any chance?

xtn

Flailmaster sells scoop knives. I haven't considered them myself as I don't cut lawns. Just check weight, mounting hole size and blade width. You will need to attach directly to the rotor so cutting height adjustment will be off depending on the hanger length. I think the cut with standard blades is fine on grass but I imagine for a suburban manicured lawn look the scoops would be an improvement.