Flail Mower Info on flail mower Hp requirements

GreatWhitehunter · Oct 7, 2008

For those of you running flail mowers what's the deal with the manufactures recommended hp? I've got a Deere 3320 with 25hp @ pto. I want a 60" to 72"
wide model. I've looked at quite a few of them and can't get a good solid answer on hp. Deere doesn't even recommend a flail for the 3320 but Loftness has an 90" model for 25 hp? It would seem to me that loftness would have a good handle on the hp requirements since they're the manufactures where as Deere is most likely having attachments built for them. I've looked at Landpride,Caroni,Alamo,etc and there seems not one of them requires the same hp for the same width. Can someone explain this to me? I'm finding the same issue with Harley rakes.

Matt T.

RollTideRam · Oct 7, 2008

I don't remember which Deere model I was looking at, but just like Caroni, It recommended 25 tractor HP not pto hp. My dealer only would say He had sold one to someone that owned an 870, and They were not happy with the performance. I have not checked to see how much hp the 870 had. I guess like a bush hog, it depends on what you will be cutting if we (3320 owners) have enough hp to get the job done. I did notice the 3320 could cut with a 7' finish mower. JC

Lewiston · Oct 7, 2008

Greetings Matt,

Alamo recommends 43HP for my SHD74. My 4740's pto is rated at 42HP and I wouldn't want to go much lower especially in heavy stuff. I ran a 78" John Deere 20A behind a 38HP gear driven Massey for many years. Again they were well suited.

Take care,

Timberman444 · Oct 7, 2008

I'm running a 52" flail on my 2320(18pto h.p.) and am yet to have any problems along the lines of not enough power. I would definitely go with something around the width of 72" for your size tractor, whenever I have purchased a mower after a couple weeks I always kicked my self for not getting the next size up. As for the h.p requirements I would listen to the manufacture of the attachment and not the manufacture of the tractor, I would think the manufacture of the attachment would know their product better than anyone else.

SPYDERLK · Oct 7, 2008

Timberman444 said:
I'm running a 52" flail on my 2320(18pto h.p.) and am yet to have any problems along the lines of not enough power. I would definitely go with something around the width of 72" for your size tractor, whenever I have purchased a mower after a couple weeks I always kicked my self for not getting the next size up. As for the h.p requirements I would listen to the manufacture of the attachment and not the manufacture of the tractor, I would think the manufacture of the attachment would know their product better than anyone else.

I really have to wonder how fast you are able to go and thru what. I consider the 34HP Kubota underpowered for our 60" Rears SPF flail. The MH 7520 [65pto hp] is quite ample. Im guessing 8HP per foot is good. I know 7 is marginal.
larry

Flatheadyoungin · Oct 8, 2008

many things to consider...

are you reclaiming land or just maintaining it?
how much are you allowing it to grow?
heavy grass that is dense in the base?
keeping knives sharp makes a big difference.....

i have a SHD 88" alamo and my tc45 gear drive handles it well......i know i could pull a 96.....BUT only in areas that i keep up with and don't try to scalp the ground.......

i went through some 3-4 year old growth and it was all she wanted.....PTO speed, low range 1st gear......and dull blades......and i left it about 3" tall

GreatWhitehunter · Oct 8, 2008

I'd be using it on bare ground no grass. I could also take the box blade to it with the scarifiers down and loosen everything up. I really want to remove as much of the rocks before I spread new loom. Hopefully this will minimize the amount of rock that come to the service after the new lawn is in.

Matt T.

SPYDERLK · Oct 8, 2008

GreatWhitehunter said:
I'd be using it on bare ground no grass. I could also take the box blade to it with the scarifiers down and loosen everything up. I really want to remove as much of the rocks before I spread new loom. Hopefully this will minimize the amount of rock that come to the service after the new lawn is in.

Matt T.

Flails mowers are ineffective on bare ground.

larry

Flatheadyoungin · Oct 9, 2008

SPYDERLK said:
Flails mowers are ineffective on bare ground.
larry

Mike058 · Oct 9, 2008

GreatWhitehunter said:
I'd be using it on bare ground no grass. I could also take the box blade to it with the scarifiers down and loosen everything up. I really want to remove as much of the rocks before I spread new loom. Hopefully this will minimize the amount of rock that come to the service after the new lawn is in.

Matt T.

OK, I'll bite.

It sounds like you're going to need it to maintain a new yard, not take out an acre of scotch broom. Is that where we're headed?