Help with flail mower selection

[Wrench83]

Hi all, first post here. I've been lurking for some time and recently decided to join to ask this question. I've read through the "holy grail" flail mower thread and couldn't quite find up-to-date info.

I'm in the market for a flail mower to pull behind a Kubota L3301HST. The primary use will be maintaining lawns and meadows with little woody brush. I will say that I place more emphasis on cut quality vs cutting capacity. With these constraints I have my list narrowed down to either the EA/Phoeniz/Sicma SLE63 or theWoodMaxx FM-78. I am also open to a Land Pride but can't find much information on them. It seems that looking at literature, the Sicma requires a bit more HP compared to the WoodMaxx. With my 33hp mule I'd only be able to run the Sicma SLE63 but the larger WoodMaxx at 74" cut width is rated to run on 30HP. I don't have any local dealers where I can put my hands on either model so I'm hoping that some folks here can offer some guidance. How is the build quality and parts availablity between the Sicma and WoodMaxx?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Industrial Toys]

I know you read through the flail mower stuff. If cut quality is your main concern, I don't know why you are getting a flail mower. Yes, good compared to the hatchet job of a bush hog. I have owned Ford 917s, both fine and regular. Still have the 917 fine, which never gets used. But, I'm sure you read all that kind of stuff.

 

[Wrench83]

Because I want a better quality cut than a rotary without the limitations of a finish mower. I also want the added maneuverability of the flail mower over a rotary cutter.

 

[ovrszd]

Welcome to TBN.

There's a LOT of differences in Flail Mowers. Most of which were described in the lengthy thread.

My Ford 917 is what I call Forward Rotation. The drum turns the same direction as the tractor tires when pulling it. It does not mulch the clippings at all. If cutting tall material it leaves a mess.

If looking for fine cut I would suggest a Backward Rotation. This type handles the material several times before it discharges it. Cuts everything up in small pieces. Leaves a much better cut.

Also study the different types of blades. I'm more concerned with durability than quality of cut. I'm cutting roadside banks. My blades are T shaped and non reversible.

There's a lot of moving parts on a Flail. I consider them to be high maintenance when compared to a rotary cutter of any type.

What do you consider to be the limitations of a finish mower?

Again, welcome to TBN!!!

 

[Industrial Toys]

Fine. Understood, but then you must settle for a compromise and cut quality will suffer. Also, few areas are flat as a billiard table, and it always annoyed me to find longer grass in the small valleys.

Don't get me wrong. I love flail mowers. I love watching them and listening to them. They are a nicer machine then a rotary mower, in my opinion.

 

[powerscol]

Question - do you need to cut outside your tire track, like along a fence. If so you may wish to get and offsetting one that can side shift behind your tractor. If you need any ditch banks mowed, one on a swing are could be better. You can probably run something wider than you think.

Good luck in your search.

PS I had good luck with Iowa Farm Equipment, so consider their brands.

 

[TractorToolsDirect]

One thing that should be pointed out is that when a flail mower has a "rated" hp requirement that ranges from 30-65hp etc., you should be aware that 30hp will in fact run that machine, but it won't be running at it's full potential when up against most flail mower type jobs. Sometimes it may be more beneficial to step down a size to be able to run the machine at it's optimal required hp range to be able to operate at a faster speed etc.. Rather than having to operate at a reduced speed. I have attached a link for Del Morino flail mowers on our website for your review. Del Morino is a fantastic Italian brand that is built with quality and has also been a trusted name brand. I would recommend a standard Y-type blade for the best of both worlds regarding the type of cut. We offer three styles as do most other suppliers. They will range from a lighter duty "finish style" grass blade, Y-blade for being able to cut small saplings as well as create a decent finish cut, or the heavy duty hammer style blades for brush work and medium sized saplings etc.. I hope this information is useful and can help someone with the decision making process.

Tractor Tools Direct | Product Categories | Flail Mowers

 

[tlj87]

Look at Befco brand flail mowers if you are interested in a more finished cut.

 

[Fallon]

My L3200 ran my 7' old Ford 917 pretty well. I was PTO HP limited. Could make decent speed & coverage, equal to my 5' rotary. My L4060 runs it better these days but not that much better.

I just upgraded to an 87" Peruzzo Super Bull. Might have overdone it a bit, but it's a hella beefy machine. We'll see come mowing season.

 

[Z-Michigan]

I'm in the market for a flail mower to pull behind a Kubota L3301HST. The primary use will be maintaining lawns and meadows with little woody brush. I will say that I place more emphasis on cut quality vs cutting capacity. With these constraints I have my list narrowed down to either the EA/Phoeniz/Sicma SLE63 or theWoodMaxx FM-78. I am also open to a Land Pride but can't find much information on them. It seems that looking at literature, the Sicma requires a bit more HP compared to the WoodMaxx. With my 33hp mule I'd only be able to run the Sicma SLE63 but the larger WoodMaxx at 74" cut width is rated to run on 30HP. I don't have any local dealers where I can put my hands on either model so I'm hoping that some folks here can offer some guidance. How is the build quality and parts availablity between the Sicma and WoodMaxx?

One thing that should be pointed out is that when a flail mower has a "rated" hp requirement that ranges from 30-65hp etc., you should be aware that 30hp will in fact run that machine, but it won't be running at it's full potential when up against most flail mower type jobs. Sometimes it may be more beneficial to step down a size to be able to run the machine at it's optimal required hp range to be able to operate at a faster speed etc..

I have the exact Woodmaxx you asked about. I am very happy with it overall. But FYI, I'm running it with 50 engine, 45.6 PTO HP, and I think I have about the right HP for that size in my conditions of heavy grass and occasional light brush. In fact, it sometimes bogs down in very tall and thick grass. I don't think you would be well served to get such a large flail mower for your size tractor, unless maybe you're only going to mow lawn grass that's 6" or less tall - in which case a finish mower would make more sense anyway. I'd urge you to look at something more in the 60" width range, whatever brand and model you finally choose.

I haven't owned the Sicma. I've owned the Caroni TM1900 for about 4.5 years, and now the Woodmaxx for about 2/3 of a summer and fairly heavy use. I was happy with the Caroni, and I am happy with the Woodmaxx. I think the Woodmaxx has nicer features and overall is a bit better engineered, though the Caroni is certainly decent and has a very slightly nicer finish in certain details (which doesn't quite compensate for the lesser engineering). I wouldn't refuse either one if buying again, but of the two I would again choose the Woodmaxx. There are other brands worth looking into as well, depending on your budget and how you feel about buying premium quality (that you may not need or benefit from) vs. buying good-enough. Personally, I like to buy premium quality for tools that I can take care of and benefit from for decades, but something that's going to be wet, dirty and beat up by sticks and rocks may not have the same value equation for high refinement at a high price. Don't misinterpret this as any knock on my Woodmaxx or my former Caroni, although I'm sure neither one is as nicely made as a $10,000 orchard flail made in the US.

My only experience with a Landpride implement is a bad one. Considering the prices I wouldn't go there. If you have money to burn I'd look at Vrisimo and BEFCO. If you don't quite have money to burn but are thinking of spending a little more, I'd look at Tractor Tools Direct, though I'm not sure if their offering is actually any better than the Woodmaxx.