Looking at a hydraulic offset flail for the 3038e -It's Home!

[Bearsixty7]

Just about ready to pull the trigger. It is a two part purchase,

2) ordering a Frontier FL1061S (mfg by Maschio) 61" hydraulic offset flail via my local JD dealer.

The attraction to this package is the ability to cut with the unit turned vertically 90 degrees, while offset 83" right of center. I really need to clear & maintain encroaching growth around fields & an unmaintained "farm" road (dirt track through several properties used for equipment access over the last 70 years or so). I also cut some roadside bank areas in our development where the downward slant option will be useful.

This particular flail is a new item for JD & earliest availability is mid September. It is sized appropriately for use with the 3038e & comes with hammers installed on the drum. I could probably save a few bucks buying the Matchup branded model, but this way I have local access to parts & service. Same with the remotes kit & install via JD.

Interesting thread! I have been researching a few weeks for a hydraulic offset flail mower and not really finding any brands I trusted to be available around here or in MO. where it will be used.
My searching didn't turn up the JD/Frontier models but what you have found is exactly what would work for me on my LS and there is a JD dealer in the town near our property. I'm really anxious to hear how your experience is with it.

Question though, How do you know it's made by Maschio? I don't see any mention of it on the JD website.

https://www.deere.com/en/cutters-shredders/flail-mowers-and-shredders/fl10s-series/

 

[nikdfish]

The sales person knew maschio was the manufacturer. Pictures of the gearbox also show 'Maschio' on the top casting. The Frontier FL10 & FL10S lineup is basically the same as the Maschio "Weekend Warrior" line, targeted to the smaller tractors & hobby farm market.

 

[Bearsixty7]

The sales person knew maschio was the manufacturer. Pictures of the gearbox also show 'Maschio' on the top casting. The Frontier FL10 & FL10S lineup is basically the same as the Maschio "Weekend Warrior" line, targeted to the smaller tractors & hobby farm market.

Have you seen yours yet? Does it look like this with the 2 hyd cylinders?
I ask because in the text on the website it doesn't mention cutting at the 90 degrees and the pictures are not all of the same mower. It would make you think it only shifts to the side via one cylinder. Hopefully it's just poor assembling of text and pictures.

 

[nikdfish]

Haven't seen it in the flesh yet, but the FL1061S does have the +90° to -60° range of motion for the flail as well as left/right movement. Gearbox is inboard & belts outboard (above pic has outboard gearbox). I found a user manual on the JD site, but not in english (!).

I decided to have the Fasse multiplier deleted from the PO. The service tech was not sure it wouldn't eventually leak if attached via offsetting hardware. Also the valve body has no provision for mounting on a bracket - no holes or tabs, so routing soft hoses wasn't an option. I'll be picking it up with just the two rear SCV's & doing my own multiplier later.

 

[Tinhack]

Still may end up adding restrictors on the flail cylinders.

My Novatractor flail came with one for the tilt cylinder. I plan to add one on the extend cylinder as well. My control valve levers seem really stiff, and levers are short. I may make some new extended levers since the T&T cylinders are squirrely too.

 

[leonz]

My Novatractor flail came with one for the tilt cylinder. I plan to add one on the extend cylinder as well. My control valve levers seem really stiff, and levers are short. I may make some new extended levers since the T&T cylinders are squirrely too.

View attachment 1486146

Hello and good morning Tinhack,


If your hydraulic system is cold it will be sluggish.

Please do not make extension handles for the spool valves on your mule.
If you do this, you will damage them, and they will all leak prematurely.
each spool valve is a finely polished chromed cylinder with machined surfaces
that allow oil to flow to one function or the other connected to the 3 spool valves.

The end of each spool has a spring to keep the spool centered and to allow the hydraulic
oil to flow without restriction UNLESS one of the spools is moved with the lever which
places a load on the hydraulic pump.

The spool valves on your mule are designed to be replaced individually if they are worn
out from massive duty cycles and leaking.

The 3 spool valves on your mule are individual stacked spool valves with are separated
with square cut gaskets between each section. The hydraulic system of your mule is an
open center hydraulic system allowing all 3 spool valves to operate independently with
a constant low pressure oil flow. The oil pressure in the system increases only when one
of the open center spools is moved in one direction or another place a load/resistance
to oil flow on the hydraulic pump.

 

[Tinhack]

I wouldn't think about putting an offset like that behind anything less than 8000 pounds. The most dangerous thing is hooking something with the deck and rolling the tractor.

Most of the time, the off-set mower is on the ground riding on the roller. Unless, of course, you have it vertical and trimming bushes. Even then, the extended weight is reduced.

all three circuits meaning that you must install one metering valve on both cylinder ports as there will not be enough room to mount them on the hose ends...As the common restrictor valve will have no restrictor on the return oil circuit and as a result you will have full oil flow and that is a big no, no.

Nonsense. Fluid won't enter a cylinder faster than it can leave the other side of the piston. The restrictor reduces the flow going in or out, so you only need one on a cylinder. Just make sure the restrictor you get is bidirectional. Some do, indeed, restrict in one direction. So, know what you're getting.

 

[leonz]

nikdfish,

Please order the 2 restrictors per cylinder per the Maschio design as you need complete control of each cylinder
to provide the slow movement of the mower that is needed as the flow of oil on the unrestricted cylinder port
back to tank will react quickly due to the weight exerted by the mower.

 

[nikdfish]

It's home. They used the hydraulic top link while getting it mounted, then removed the hoses & hooked up the flail hydraulics. The top link has a pilot check valve so it holds position until live hydraulic action changes it.

I figured out my intended DIY multiplier configuration. It will be based on a one solenoid diverter kit from Summit Hydraulics. The only additional thing needed will be a couple of 12" hoses w/ 1/2" male NPT ends. All other needed hardware (other than a bracket) is included. I can fabricate a bracket that will attach to the JD rear scv bracket. Should be, ballpark, $400 for everything.

 

[nikdfish]

Looking forward to see this rig and learning the final costs.

Dual rear scv - $1637.10 (parts & labor)
FL1061S - $6800 (delivered & assembled)
Top Link w/hoses - $280.23 (delivered)
only other charges were NC sales tax