Maschio Birba 155 review

[Deleted member 367166]

I've been looking for a mower that could replace BOTH my z-turn and brush hog. I saw where Deere started carrying the FL1061, but my dealer quoted me $4700 and a 6 month lead time. I found a local dealer that had recently picked up the Maschio franchise, and they quoted me $4200 and a 2 week lead time for a Birba 155, which is the same as the FL1061 without the green paint. So I got one.
I had a little trouble hooking up the PTO, but finally got that resolved. Also, it's not quick hitch compatible. I think there's an adapter kit, but the quick hitch adds 4 inches to the length and 70 lbs to the weight, so I'm running without it. It definitely was harder to hook up, but not impossible.

It is definitely is more maneuverable than the hog which is good, because we have a lot of trees. I can back right up to a tree or fence corner. It cuts cleaner and closer. Also, I think maybe it burns less fuel than the hog. It can't chop big stuff like the hog, but that's ok, I'll just pick it up with the fork lift. It works good on the lawn, too. It cuts as good as the z turn.

I love it. I'm keeping it. So I have a z375 and mx5 for sale.

 

[oosik]

So ....... what, exactly, makes it harder to hook up than any other PTO implement. I like the idea that it cuts as good as a zturn.

I'm in the market for something - flail or bush hog to cut back my brush. My brush is Deer Brush - 1/4" in diameter, two feet tall. Thick as the hair on a hound dog.

Get tired of ramming my JD 570 lawn mower into this brush.

 

[workinonit]

I can't imagine replacing a ZT with a flail mower. There's no comparison. I like mine for heavy brush and field grass but I wouldn't cut my yard with it.

 

[leonz]

I've been looking for a mower that could replace BOTH my z-turn and brush hog. I saw where Deere started carrying the FL1061, but my dealer quoted me $4700 and a 6 month lead time. I found a local dealer that had recently picked up the Maschio franchise, and they quoted me $4200 and a 2 week lead time for a Birba 155, which is the same as the FL1061 without the green paint. So I got one.
I had a little trouble hooking up the PTO, but finally got that resolved. Also, it's not quick hitch compatible. I think there's an adapter kit, but the quick hitch adds 4 inches to the length and 70 lbs to the weight, so I'm running without it. It definitely was harder to hook up, but not impossible.

It is definitely is more maneuverable than the hog which is good, because we have a lot of trees. I can back right up to a tree or fence corner. It cuts cleaner and closer. Also, I think maybe it burns less fuel than the hog. It can't chop big stuff like the hog, but that's ok, I'll just pick it up with the fork lift. It works good on the lawn, too. It cuts as good as the z turn.

I love it. I'm keeping it. So I have a z375 and mx5 for sale.

Hello and good morning Baalams Jackass,

I want to welcome you as the newest resident member of the Flail Mower Nations.

 

[Deleted member 367166]

So ....... what, exactly, makes it harder to hook up than any other PTO implement. I like the idea that it cuts as good as a zturn.

I'm in the market for something - flail or bush hog to cut back my brush. My brush is Deer Brush - 1/4" in diameter, two feet tall. Thick as the hair on a hound dog.

Get tired of ramming my JD 570 lawn mower into this brush.

I'm

So ....... what, exactly, makes it harder to hook up than any other PTO implement. I like the idea that it cuts as good as a zturn.

I'm in the market for something - flail or bush hog to cut back my brush. My brush is Deer Brush - 1/4" in diameter, two feet tall. Thick as the hair on a hound dog.

Get tired of ramming my JD 570 lawn mower into this brush.

It has a round housing around the PTO connection. My bush hog has a hinged door that is easier to get to. But this one's not too bad.
I think the manual says it will handle up to .8" brush. So that should be ok.

 

[Deleted member 367166]

Hello and good morning Baalams Jackass,

I want to welcome you as the newest resident member of the Flail Mower Nations.

I am honored to be in such august company.

 

[Deleted member 367166]

So ....... what, exactly, makes it harder to hook up than any other PTO implement. I like the idea that it cuts as good as a zturn.

I'm in the market for something - flail or bush hog to cut back my brush. My brush is Deer Brush - 1/4" in diameter, two feet tall. Thick as the hair on a hound dog.

Get tired of ramming my JD 570 lawn mower into this brush.

I can't imagine replacing a ZT with a flail mower. There's no comparison. I like mine for heavy brush and field grass but I wouldn't cut my yard with it.

Works great for yard. It has hammers. I put my z turn up for sale.

 

[oosik]

Thanks for your answer - BJ. I can see how it would make getting your hands in there with the U-joint to make connection - difficult.

My "lawns" are really mowed meadows. A perfect cut is never required. In my case - it's green and won't burn in case of an approaching fire. That's what really counts. I want to cut back the Buck brush - it will burn.

 

[Deleted member 367166]

Thanks for your answer - BJ. I can see how it would make getting your hands in there with the U-joint to make connection - difficult.

My "lawns" are really mowed meadows. A perfect cut is never required. In my case - it's green and won't burn in case of an approaching fire. That's what really counts. I want to cut back the Buck brush - it will burn.

My lawn is a glorified weed patch.

 

[Deleted member 367166]

UPDATE:
I'm finding it cuts better if you don't go too fast. I guess that's the same with any mower. Think I'll sharpen the hammers.

It has flaps on the rear. This keeps the cuttings inside the mower to be mulched. Because of that, it throws hardly any dust. However, I'm wondering if it would cut better if I removed the flaps and let it blow the clippings out the back.

The manual says when you get your height adjusted, set the top link so it's in the middle of the slot (see pic). This allows the mower to "float". Also, be sure the lock screw on your top link is good and tight. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it looks to be more critical on a flail than a bush hog.

 

[leonz]

If you do sharpen them, use a hand file wet or a slow speed water bath grinder as you will lose the temper in the casting and they will become more brittle and ruin them.

 

[2manyrocks]

Thanks for your answer - BJ. I can see how it would make getting your hands in there with the U-joint to make connection - difficult.

My "lawns" are really mowed meadows. A perfect cut is never required. In my case - it's green and won't burn in case of an approaching fire. That's what really counts. I want to cut back the Buck brush - it will burn.

Another option would be to have it mulched down to the ground level to get rid of as much material as possible and then spray to keep it from resprouting.

 

[Deleted member 367166]

If you do sharpen them, use a hand file wet or a slow speed water bath grinder as you will lose the temper in the casting and they will become more brittle and ruin them.

Whoops! I already sharpened them with angle grinder. Next time, I'll use a file.

 

[leonz]

Whoops! I already sharpened them with angle grinder. Next time, I'll use a file.

OUCH.

 

[Deleted member 367166]

OUCH.

How about use an angle grinder but keep wetting down the hammers with a spray bottle?

 

[leonz]

You could try it I guess, but I would hate to see you lose a set of knives ;0


Wen is offering a slow speed wet well grinder on amazon for $137.22 plus tax and shipping.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I'm

It has a round housing around the PTO connection. My bush hog has a hinged door that is easier to get to. But this one's not too bad.
I think the manual says it will handle up to .8" brush. So that should be ok.View attachment 880709

I have a dedicated driveshaft that I leave connected to my Maschio flail. That way, I just connect it to the tractor PTO, which has a flip up lid.

 

[oosik]

I have a "trick" for connecting the PTO. I hold the PTO shaft up with a bungee chord. That way I'm not having to hold up the weight while also trying to make connection. Every little bit helps.

 

[TerryR]

Whoops! I already sharpened them with angle grinder. Next time, I'll use a file.

Not to worry. As long as your are careful and don't get the blades too hot you will be fine. An angle grinder is a much more workable tool for a flail than a wet sharpener. See my thread at Sharpened My Peruzzo Ditch and Bank Mower Today