Flail Mower Flail failure, (Sort of)

[Thomabear]

Actually a forestry flail wouldn't be needed for non commercial settings. A simple consumer grade flail mower with a hammer interchangeability option would take out 2" trees with little effort at a cost of $1500 - $2000 roughly. A value leader EFG155 would be an example. I think this one and similar others have the ability to switch between knives and hammers utilizing the same rotor. Would still be more economical than purchasing 2 implements.

 

[4570Man]

Not trying to start an argument here but I wouldn't say (from a category standpoint) a heavy duty flail is less related to a medium duty flail than a heavy duty rotary cutter is to a medium duty flail.

You are technically correct, but not exactly the same thing. That is like comparing my diesel Kubota mower to a MTD, or my 3 phase 300 amp output welder to a harbor freight 110 volt welder, or an S10 to a semi.

 

[Thomabear]

Lol, I think your comparison is just a tad bit exaggerated as compared to a consumer flail verses a HD flail. I've used both along with years of experience running them. Set up with the same knives or hammers the gap in their performance is much closer than the gap in longevity... The key message here is to use the right equipment for the given job while taking usage frequency and economics into account. From a performance standpoint when removing trees I'm standing by my personal experience that hammers work best followed by a rotary cutter then followed again by Y knives. I'll also stick with the common sense logic that the operational principal of a consumer flail vs a HD flail is more closely related than a rotary cutter is to a flail.

 

[IslandTractor]

Lol, I think your comparison is just a tad bit exaggerated as compared to a consumer flail verses a HD flail. I've used both along with years of experience running them. Set up with the same knives or hammers the gap in their performance is much closer than the gap in longevity... The key message here is to use the right equipment for the given job while taking usage frequency and economics into account. From a performance standpoint when removing trees I'm standing by my personal experience that hammers work best followed by a rotary cutter then followed again by Y knives. I'll also stick with the common sense logic that the operational principal of a consumer flail vs a HD flail is more closely related than a rotary cutter is to a flail.

If cost was not a consideration, I'd much prefer a forestry flail over a medium or heavy duty rotary mower. I'm pretty sure though that one could buy four or five high quality heavy bush hogs for the price of a good forestry flail. I've never operated a forestry flail but I've always seen them mounted on big skid steers rather than tractors too.

As good as the tree chomping flails are, I still think the more practical solution for the typical TBN tractor owner is the combo of Y flail for general mowing and medium or heavy rotary for backup. I added a used slightly undersized (60") Brushbull 600 to my equipment for $900 and use it mostly to back into heavy unexplored brush and saplings but not trees. I use other methods for wholesale tree removal but I'd jump at the opportunity to operate a real pro forestry flail rig someday!

 

[4570Man]

Most of the the forestry flail mower are mounted on skid steers. I have seen one mounted on a large track loader.

 

[leonz]

The great thing about the Fecon tracked forestry mulcher is how they
designed the tracked carrier around the flail shredder.

For your enjoyment my fellow members of the Flail Mower Nations;


www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVygss7i3kA

Hopefully I typed the link right.

 

[bcp]

The great thing about the Fecon tracked forestry mulcher is how they
designed the tracked carrier around the flail shredder.

For your enjoyment my fellow members of the Flail Mower Nations;


www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVygss7i3kA

Hopefully I typed the link right.

YouTube says:

"This video is unavailable.
Sorry about that."

Maybe this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVygSS7i3kA

Bruce

 

[Thomabear]

I think I may have mislead in my first post and Island Tractor I agree that most folks will go the flail/bush hog route.
Personally, I still feel I would prefer a medium to heavy duty flail with a "quick change" knife mounting system. For the price of a light duty flail mower and bush hog one can buy a nice tripple purpose unit for cutting, dethatching and clearing. You would benefit from one less implement to store/maintain and actually put to use an implement that will perform better across the entire spectrum from grass cutting to land clearing. A forestry flail really isn't needed... I think I posted this video before but here it is again in case anyone is interested. It's a non-forestry multipurpose flail that will quickly clear heavy brush at a efficiency and speed that no bush hog can match without severe wear and tear. After the area is cleared just switch to scoops or Y knives. Once most people have their land cleared there really is no need for a bush hog sitting around. These units fit many budgets from medium duty and up depending on how much land one has to mow and clear. Even "Value Leader" sells one for around $1500. Just not sure how it would last when put to task...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BG74dzP5S8

 

[IslandTractor]

I think I may have mislead in my first post and Island Tractor I agree that most folks will go the flail/bush hog route. Personally, I still feel I would prefer a medium to heavy duty flail with a "quick change" knife mounting system. For the price of a light duty flail mower and bush hog one can buy a nice tripple purpose unit for cutting, dethatching and clearing. You would benefit from one less implement to store/maintain and actually put to use an implement that will perform better across the entire spectrum from grass cutting to land clearing. A forestry flail really isn't needed... I think I posted this video before but here it is again in case anyone is interested. It's a non-forestry multipurpose flail that will quickly clear heavy brush at a efficiency and speed that no bush hog can match without severe wear and tear. After the area is cleared just switch to scoops or Y knives. Once most people have their land cleared there really is no need for a bush hog sitting around. These units fit many budgets from medium duty and up depending on how much land one has to mow and clear. Even "Value Leader" sells one for around $1500. Just not sure how it would last when put to task... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BG74dzP5S8

Yes, a convertible flail that has the guts to run both hammers and Y knives would be very useful especially if the knife changeover can be done efficiently.

I'm not yet comfortable with the Chinese flails simply because the dealer/importers are not quite as well established as one would like for an implement that will need parts over decades. Still, the same was said about Toyotas in the early 70's so things might turn out just fine.

 

[jemclimber]

Does anyone know if the Value Leader EFGC155 can run the side slicers with the hammers like that flail in the video?