Ditch and Bank Mowers -- Too Fragile for Regular Use?

[Torvy]

I hear what you are saying. I used to hate seat belts when they first became commonplace in passenger vehicles. Now, driving without it feels strange. It's all about to what you are accustomed.

My tractor has pretty good visibility of the bucket. I guess once you get used to the size, your internal geometry figures out where it is even when you don't see it.

 

[workinonit]

I still find seatbelts most uncomfortable and don't typically wear them.

 

[Torvy]

I still find seatbelts most uncomfortable and don't typically wear them.

I'm the same on equipment, most of the time. I don't have many hilly areas, so the hassle is not worth the tiny risk. I will use them when I am near the few embankments.

In the car or truck it's just part of my pre-flight check. Unless the tensioner is broken, I don't even notice it.

 

[TerryR]

How many hours of use on this flail--maybe 30?

Machine shop or welding shop depending on who can do the work needed.

I'd guess around 100 hours. It takes me 10 to 12 hours, twice a year.

As to machine or welding shop, it doesn't matter as there is only on such business in the county. Not sure I'd drive an hour "off the mountain" to a business I know nothing about.

 

[TerryR]

I do have a question for Terry. Do you have a float option for your rear remotes and do you mow with that cylinder in float? I could see where that kind of damage could happen over time if it can not float to follow the ground.

Yes, I always run the lift cylinder in the float position except in those few cases when I need to hold it up, like when it wants to roll into a deep roadside ditch.

 

[2manyrocks]

I'd guess around 100 hours. It takes me 10 to 12 hours, twice a year.

As to machine or welding shop, it doesn't matter as there is only on such business in the county. Not sure I'd drive an hour "off the mountain" to a business I know nothing about.

Those flail mowers are expensive enough and yours is new enough that it sort of looks like you'd want to ask about the cost of repair.

I'm also wondering if you might ask about the manufacturer offering some repair because who would think it would break like that after 100 hours in normal use? I'm not seeing any impact damage like you ran into something that caused it to break. Even if it is out of warranty, does it hurt to ask?

 

[D&D]

I noted the Peruzzo color, but was hoping you wouldn't say Peruzzo. I haven't pulled the trigger yet, but Peruzzo is the flail I decided upon. There are a million complaints about poorly made Betsco, Nova, Farmers Helper etc, but this is the first problem I've read about on Peruzzo.
I'm not a welder, so I can't offer an opinion. Good luck on the repair regardless.

nova complaints.....where? I used mine at least weekly and didn’t have a failure for the first 5 years

 

[TerryR]

I'm also wondering if you might ask about the manufacturer offering some repair because who would think it would break like that after 100 hours in normal use? I'm not seeing any impact damage like you ran into something that caused it to break. Even if it is out of warranty, does it hurt to ask?

I sent an email to the dealer yesterday, and am waiting for them to open so I can follow up.

I need to look again, but at first glance it looks like a totally new break, not something that's been cracked before.

 

[TerryR]

As follow up --- the dealer has the broken part in stock. So rather than trust that the one welding shop in town can properly repair, I've decided to go that route. It will arrive tomorrow, probably sooner than I could get a repair in and out of the local shop.

The dealer has asked the manufacturer for compensation. We'll see how that goes.

 

[TerryR]

If you had a new shaft made with it longer where its welded maybe 1/2 an inch you could plate the backside and make it stronger. But it might break somewhere else..

Did you mean like this:

This is the new one I got from the dealer. Looks like they have done just what you suggested -- the shaft comes through the hole in the plate about twice as far, then they have added that brace welded across the end of the shaft.
That should make this part more rugged.