Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[biodegraded]

Can someone identify the make/model of this flail that showed up on the local craigslist?

 

[shaeff]

99.9% sure that's a Mott. GREAT mowers!

 

[biodegraded]

Thanks. Given a make to search on, it does indeed look like a Mott of some kind. The owner says it's a 6 footer and "has new knives". Wants $1200. He's not even that far away as things go hereabouts - about an hour.

Edit note: Never mind - he sold it earlier today. So it goes.

 

[innrkid]

Had a fantastic day yesterday. New neighbors moved in next door and were trying to mow their fields with a big zero turn mower. The key word here is trying. I have been looking for an excuse, so with a bit of help (shoulder surgery) I got my Mascio Giraffetta 160 SE hooked up. Started out a little timid, but once I got going it was beautiful music to my ears, The hum of grass being cut and the crunch of the saplings. One acre was very heavy in grass and cattails. Mower and tractor mowed through it with ease. It was also cool to swing it out over the irrigation ditches and just trim everything down. Did a pretty good job of mulching, but I am still wanting to add the counter blades to make it a bit finer. I did learn a few truicks on the corners (pick it up slightly) so the skids dont dig in. Also mow so wind does not blow everything back on to you :shocked::laughing: After cutting I inspected the unit - some paint off the hammers, but that was it.

Went well and I made good friends with them. They sent their son over to mow my small back yard as barter.

So far it is a good match for my tractor and does a pretty decent cut.
Keith

Keith, Thanks for the update and tips. As you know I ended up going with the Del Morino and I can't wait until something grows around here! I did find my new tractor needed a linkage adjustment in the hydraulics which I will tackle this weekend. I did sneak out and mow some thorny old raspberry bushes. Incredible experience.
You were a great help in my decision, so, thanks again!

 

[IslandTractor]

Keith, Thanks for the update and tips. As you know I ended up going with the Del Morino and I can't wait until something grows around here! I did find my new tractor needed a linkage adjustment in the hydraulics which I will tackle this weekend. I did sneak out and mow some thorny old raspberry bushes. Incredible experience.
You were a great help in my decision, so, thanks again!

So far everyone seems to love their Italian made flail mowers whether Caroni, Mascio or Del Morino. I suspect that some of the OEM branded flails are Italian made too.

As best I can tell the Italians focus on and have mastered what I'd call medium duty flails. They sell for thousands less than the heavier duty "highway maintenance" flails sold by the big US manufacturers and the Italian medium duty mowers seem to handle all types of pasture/field and light/medium brush mowing with aplomb. They cost a bit more than the Chinese knockoffs (which also seem to work well in medium duty service).

Forza Italia!!!

 

[leonz]

Had a fantastic day yesterday. New neighbors moved in next door and were trying to mow their fields with a big zero turn mower. The key word here is trying. I have been looking for an excuse, so with a bit of help (shoulder surgery) I got my Mascio Giraffetta 160 SE hooked up. Started out a little timid, but once I got going it was beautiful music to my ears, The hum of grass being cut and the crunch of the saplings. One acre was very heavy in grass and cattails. Mower and tractor mowed through it with ease. It was also cool to swing it out over the irrigation ditches and just trim everything down. Did a pretty good job of mulching, but I am still wanting to add the counter blades to make it a bit finer. I did learn a few tricks on the corners (pick it up slightly) so the skids dont dig in. Also mow so wind does not blow everything back on to you :shocked::laughing: After cutting I inspected the unit - some paint off the hammers, but that was it.

Went well and I made good friends with them. They sent their son over to mow my small back yard as barter.

So far it is a good match for my tractor and does a pretty decent cut.
Keith

===================================================================================


I am glad when a plan comes together and there is one less rotary cutter being used to mow heavy brush.


Yay!!!!

 

[powerscol]

Keith, Thanks for the update and tips. As you know I ended up going with the Del Morino and I can't wait until something grows around here! I did find my new tractor needed a linkage adjustment in the hydraulics which I will tackle this weekend. I did sneak out and mow some thorny old raspberry bushes. Incredible experience.
You were a great help in my decision, so, thanks again!

That is what is great about this place - the sharing of good information. Everyday as I read different threads, I learn something new. I don't think I helped much as a lot of what I know came for LEONZ...which I am told may be dangerous
May your grass grow tall so you can mow.
Thanks for the thoughts

 

[powerscol]

===================================================================================


I am glad when a plan comes together and there is one less rotary cutter being used to mow heavy brush.


Yay!!!!

Leonz - I want to thank you for all the advice and discussion, including the possible down sides to my quest. You have a way of making folks think - that's a good thing. I was also lucky to find a dealer that knows their product. MY local sources could order, but knew nothing of the actual units I was looking at. Iowa Farm Equipment went to the trouble of mounting two mowers up to a tractor to get the actual offset measurements. As you know for an offset ditch bank mower it is critical that the pivot point of the mower be outside of the rear tire so you not driving down the bank, For my tractor I actually clear by 6". I found that by mowing in the offset position I could just follow the inside edge of the mowed path and be able to not have any missed grass. I also discovered that when lifted and offset I am still very stable. I dropped into a ditch that was covered up and I got no real tipping sensation.

So to leonz, Island Tractor, and the many other folks here that help me make an informed decision - Thank You

 

[innrkid]

Leonz - I want to thank you for all the advice and discussion, including the possible down sides to my quest. You have a way of making folks think - that's a good thing. I was also lucky to find a dealer that knows their product. MY local sources could order, but knew nothing of the actual units I was looking at. Iowa Farm Equipment went to the trouble of mounting two mowers up to a tractor to get the actual offset measurements. As you know for an offset ditch bank mower it is critical that the pivot point of the mower be outside of the rear tire so you not driving down the bank, For my tractor I actually clear by 6". I found that by mowing in the offset position I could just follow the inside edge of the mowed path and be able to not have any missed grass. I also discovered that when lifted and offset I am still very stable. I dropped into a ditch that was covered up and I got no real tipping sensation.

So to leonz, Island Tractor, and the many other folks here that help me make an informed decision - Thank You

Plus 1

All three of you were invaluable. I am looking forward to sharing a video once things get to green around here.

 

[innrkid]

So far everyone seems to love their Italian made flail mowers whether Caroni, Mascio or Del Morino. I suspect that some of the OEM branded flails are Italian made too.

As best I can tell the Italians focus on and have mastered what I'd call medium duty flails. They sell for thousands less than the heavier duty "highway maintenance" flails sold by the big US manufacturers and the Italian medium duty mowers seem to handle all types of pasture/field and light/medium brush mowing with aplomb. They cost a bit more than the Chinese knockoffs (which also seem to work well in medium duty service).

Forza Italia!!!

Island, I am overly pleased with the construction. When this thing spools up it's like it's not even there--quiet, smooth and very precise. I think the Italians are indeed on to something. Del Morino has been around for 130 years...I would hope they have it figured out!