Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[IslandTractor]

I agree, it will mulch leaves very well. Just adjust the roller so it cuts close and don't travel too fast so the flail has time to work it's magic.

 

[KnuckleDragger]

This poor thread was all the way back on page 3. So I thought I'd post.

I just joined the Caroni club today. I purchased a TM1900BSC from Agri-Supply. I paid $1790+$299. I thought I'd share my "off-loading" experience so others are prepared. I have a dock at work, but not at the farm, so I requested a lift gate so I could have the unit dropped to the ground on our farm. I was going to have my wife wait for the delivery, but I thought there might be "issues" so I took off work during the delivery window. (I called the dispatcher, and got a fairly narrow window. Agri-Supply provided all of the necessary contact info.) Sure enough, the 73" mower was placed on two 4x4 palletts, and the driver couldn't get it swung around on the lift gate. I used the FEL to drag the load to the lift gate, then lowered it as the truck driver lowered the lift gate. I'd be hosed without the FEL.

I would have had it assembled by now, but I had some young hens make a jailbreak and I spent the better part of the afternoon searching for them. I never did find them. I think they are coyote food.

I hope to be flailing this weekend.

 

[TDVT]

I would have had it assembled by now, but I had some young hens make a jailbreak and I spent the better part of the afternoon searching for them. I never did find them. I think they are coyote food.

I hope to be flailing this weekend.

You might want to give this thread a quick look, if you haven't seen it, regarding set-up.

BROKEN TOP LINK

I haven't gotten out my flail yet but it's getting close.

 

[J_J]

I have a hyd driven flail mower, and I am not sure it has the lift velocity to be lifting leaves off the ground to mulch them. If you have to lower the flails to the ground to mulch, I think you would destroy the grass if any. What kind of flail blds are you all using to mulch with, the" Y " type, or the wide flat kind?

 

[IslandTractor]

I have a hyd driven flail mower, and I am not sure it has the lift velocity to be lifting leaves off the ground to mulch them. If you have to lower the flails to the ground to mulch, I think you would destroy the grass if any. What kind of flail blds are you all using to mulch with, the" Y " type, or the wide flat kind?

It won't lift wet leaves off the ground but I haven't had any trouble mulching leaves when the cut is set at about 3 or 4 inches. It's windy down there even if it doesn't have a true vacuum design so the leaves get pulled into the blades. I use Y type flails on clevis mounts.

 

[Thumper & Buttercup]

Hey Guys,

Are the Knifes you guys are getting from places like Flailmasters holding up as good as factory ones???

 

[rbcsaver]

Greetings all,
I bought a used 918H New Holland Flail mower today and need some help please. 3 weeks ago
I purchased a new 48 HP Turbo Diesel Deere to replace my 21 HP B7510 Kubota. The Kubota was a bit too small for my 18+ acres. We have been mowing with a 48' Bush Hog. I priced numerous 6 ft+- Flail mowers recommended here and considered those from AgriSupply. They seemed less stout than the Deere (4999) and New Holland 4200. The Deere (that would fit my tractor) hasn't any offset, which I really need.

Long story short, I purchased a used New Holland 918H. It was "owned by the local (1 hr away) dealer owner of the New Holland dealership. First, I was told that it was a year +- old,
and for sale by the owner for 3000. I went to look at it today. What I see: Yellow paint with some superficial rust, esp. on out-chute lid, new set (96) of Y flails, "new grease" at various points, some lite rust on real roller. The maintenance/repair guy stated that last fall they "checked" everything and put new blades on it. I insisted, repeatedly on and finally received a 30 day warranty. The blades look new. I brought it home., hooked it up, mowed a few acres, the raised the roller and skids because it was too close to the ground.

Then, twice (original and replacement) I lost and couldn't find the Right lift pin. They weren't too small and I don't know why they fell out. After I mowed for a while, (yeah I should have checked first,) I checked the gear box and though they looked "wet" there wasn't any oil level to be seen. All that I had, and added a quart of 70-90 Mobli1. And I regreased everything.

Questions: I paid $2500. Too much? The thing must weigh close to 1000 lbs. The new NH are blue, this is yellow. Dating help? I "assumed" as things are today that I didn't always get the truth.
I assumed, as the internet is today, that I could download the owners manual. This is NOT the case.NH wants $. Anyone have it in pdf to email me?
Pics to follow when I have time.
Pics when I have some time this week.
regards,
Steve

 

[KennyV]

If it is a done deal it really dose not matter what you paid... the important thing is will it do what you need done and will it continue for a reasonable time without costing too much to maintain.

If you are having parts fall off for no apparent reason, I would suspect you may have too much vibration. Check what could be causing this missing knives, or mixture of different knives or hangars. Also check the run-out of the main rotor and all pulleys.
Flails are a great type mower, I have 2 now and have had others in the past. You need to get everything set up right to start with and after that you should have decades of reliable use. KennyV

 

[Woodcanoeguy]

A little bit off the track but does anyone have the part number of a Gate's V- Belt that fits the 59" Caroni Mowers......model TL1500FSC......I have read about some of the imported belts are not so good to use. I just ordered a mower from Agri-Supply and thought I would change them out and keep the imported ones as spares.


Do the banded belts work pretty good as well?

 

[charleyfarmall]

I have had 3 flail mowers, I still have two of them and use them all the time. I have an old 6' Mott that I resurrected and keep repairing. It's a fine cut.

I also have a 5' Caroni with the hydraulic shift unit on top.

Love them both.

Had a Ford 917 or 918. Resurrected it too, HEAVY beast. Horsepower hog too. It was a 6 foot and took more power to run than the Mott for the same size and offered no advantage to me. The flails were heavier so it could be used on heavier brush but mostly I am cutting grass, tiny trees and brambles. I pain $500 for it and sold it for the same. The people that bought it are still using it behind a Ford 3000.

Flailmaster is a good company and their parts quality is fine. No reservations about using their blades.

When the Mott finally dies, I will likely get another Caroni but I might go to a bigger mower if I can find one that doesn't cost too much. Befco comes to mind. I would love to have an 8' flail.