Flail Mower Experiences

[IslandTractor]

I wonder why some manufatures have way different hp requirements for these unit.

I don't think there is any standard so the companies pick a HP level that matches the gearbox (ie not greater than the rated capacity) but on the lower end there is a lot of variability. I would just guess that the higher rated (requiring more HP) flails are being rated for heavy duty service while the more modest HP requirements are taking into account a more typical mowing performance.

I have a 6ft Caroni flail on a tractor with 32.5 PTO hp. I rarely run it at PTO speed even when bush hogging in brush. I did manage to stall once or twice in very thick tall grass until I pushed the RPM up to rated PTO speed (2600). However it will cut lower grass all day loafing along at 1800rpm or even less. The point is that these mowers don't take that much HP to cut lawns or previously mowed pastures but you do sometimes need to either slow down or push up the HP in thick, wet stuff. I wouldn't hesitate to put the same mower (Caroni FM1900) on a 20-25 PTO HP tractor but I'd know that I'd need to go slow if I was in thick grass or brush.

 

[Eagleview]

This is my "Fussy" $13,500 flail . It ran for 30 minutes before this happened . It was pre delivered , oil checked , bolts tightened and greased and brought to my house on their truck . The driver did'nt get back to the yard before i was on the phone going crook . The powder coat on the side plates chaffed and dropped out as powder after just under 30 minutes running . This made the bolts loose , one fell out as i backed up to a tree i had just mowed around . I put the mower down to go forward again , unknown to me the roller had swung under and i lowered the cutters straight onto it . I was told to check the bolts again after a few hours but it did'nt last 30 minutes . I have several flail mowers for my business and every time i go to use them , something has either broken , dropped out or is leaking . They are great for what they can do , but like i said they require a lot of maintanance . But if you only use it a few times a year in private usage tasks , they will give good service . (left click on expanded image)

 

[IslandTractor]

This is my "Fussy" $13,500 flail

IronHorse, you should only purchase cheap used cutters. I recall you also had a battle with a new expensive bush hog/slasher (is that what you call them?) a few weeks ago.

 

[Eagleview]

I'm just going to start building all my own attachments .

I spoke to the company owner in Italy , he rang me late one night to fix the problem , lovely guy . He asked me what i thought had caused it ? I told him that the side plates , bearing blocks , and even the washers had been powder coated . It would never rust , but the combined 30thou of powder coat should have been sanded off in that area so everything could be drawn up tight , metal-metal and then give it a squirt with a touchup gun . This is the way they do it now i'm told . They are a great company , CABE in Italy , he said don't you worry about anything . I will have a new mower at your house within two days , the new one turned up the very next day . I would recomend this company to anyone .