Minimum HP for Flail Mowers

[KennJ]

I have a new Branson 2515H, and I am trying to decide on a ditch bank flail mower for it. My question is, when I look at a mower they will say "Minimum HP 20" or 25 or 30 etc. My tractor is 25 hp, 20 hp at the PTO. What does that minimum number REALLY mean? Is it a suggestion?

The tractor is 57" wide and I want to be at least as wide as my tire width, but most of the 56-60" models call for 25 or 30 hp. It seems to have to do with the number and weight of the hammers. I can get one that says 18-20 hp, but they are 40-48"... it would be a shame to have a smaller cutting swath than my Cub Cadet!

To make matters more confusing, the equivalent brand and size of pull behind flail mower is powered by a 13 hp Briggs and Stratton! Yet they want 25 hp at the PTO for a 3 point model?

My land is level, lots of grass, but also lots of Blackberrys and some brushy, willowy areas that I will eventually want to clear. I also have ¼ mile of driveway with ditches and side growth to keep beat back.

Appreciate any insight and experience you can share!

 

[BukitCase]

I have this flail (NOT a ditch bank mower tho)

Flail Mower, Rear Flail Mower TM1900

Agri Supply has a Satisfaction Guarantee on all of your farm, agriculture, cooking, and outdoor needs, including this Caroni 3-point flail mower.

www.agrisupply.com

They say 30-60 horse; my usage sounds basically the same as you (except for ditches) - both of my PTO equipped tractors are 40-45 horse, and I wouldn't want any LESS than I have. Some of the tougher areas will make me lower a gear or bog down a bit.

Mine uses the "Y" knives, duckbills would probably want MORE HP but for mine I wouldn't go lower than 6 HP per foot of width.

You might have more patience than I do and might be OK with a little less HP/foot, but I wouldn't expect too much. My "guestimate" is that you can either go real slow and cover your tire track or stay with a 4' and travel a bit faster... Steve

 

[Halftrack]

I think the limiting factor in your situation is the side load placed on your tractor by the ditch bank flail. Your tractor would easily handle a 5 ft 3 pt flail, but hanging that same flail off the right side of the tractor is a whole new ball game.

And welcome to TBN

 

[RjCorazza]

I have done a lot of reading on the subject of ditch bank flails, but have yet to buy one.
For my application (Kubota L4060) with fluid loaded rears I weigh in at 6400lbs. A 5' ditch flail is about the largest my machine will be able to safely handle when extended off to the side. The flail I intend to eventually buy is about 800 lbs, or 650 lbs for their lighter duty version of the same width. The manufacturer confirmed that either mower would be acceptable for my tractor.

Some manufacturers give minimum tractor weight requirements for their ditch bank flails. After a cursory view of your tractor specs, I would think you will be limited to a 48" ditch flail.

 

[TerryR]

I have a JD 870, which weighs around 2600 lb plus four loaded tires and a full set of suitcase weights on the front, and is rated at 28 hp, 25 on the PTO. I run a five foot Peruzzo Fox Cross 1600 ditch and bank mower, which runs only 640 lb.

I mow twice a year, so the grass can be heavy, and much of my land is on fairly steep hills. As far as power goes, it's a full load going up steep hills in heavy grass, but the tractor handles it in 3rd gear, as fast as I'm comfortable driving.

But the weight is on the edge. With the mower extended, the tractor is definitely light in the front, especially on the hills. I try to keep the mower on the ground when it's on the downhill side of the tractor, either running across the hill or going up it. I failed to do that once last year starting up a steep area and it was more exciting than I care for.

Your tractor is a tad heavier than mine, but I'd still watch the weight of the mower you choose carefully. That's one of the reasons I chose the one I did.

 

[K5lwq]

I have the same frame as you but more HP. I bought a Victory ditch bank mower and it has been working fine. No real issues except I had a cylinder fail that they replaced under warranty. The tractor handles it fine but I should widen the tires out. Not a real issue as I am careful and most of my ground is flat. Only have 1 ditch that has steep banks that the mower handles nicely.

Here is a link to the review thread I did on this mower. Hope it helps.

Victory Ditch Bank Flail or Bush Hog 216 Rotary Mower?

I posted this in the Let's Talk Flail Mowers thread but thought a new post might get better feedback. I need a little advice from the flail mowing community. Has anyone dealt with Victory Implements out of California? I am looking at their ditch bank mower. The reason I am interested is they...

www.tractorbynet.com

 

[KennJ]

I have a new Branson 2515H, and I am trying to decide on a ditch bank flail mower for it. My question is, when I look at a mower they will say "Minimum HP 20" or 25 or 30 etc. My tractor is 25 hp, 20 hp at the PTO. What does that minimum number REALLY mean? Is it a suggestion?

The tractor is 57" wide and I want to be at least as wide as my tire width, but most of the 56-60" models call for 25 or 30 hp. It seems to have to do with the number and weight of the hammers. I can get one that says 18-20 hp, but they are 40-48"... it would be a shame to have a smaller cutting swath than my Cub Cadet!

To make matters more confusing, the equivalent brand and size of pull behind flail mower is powered by a 13 hp Briggs and Stratton! Yet they want 25 hp at the PTO for a 3 point model?

My land is level, lots of grass, but also lots of Blackberrys and some brushy, willowy areas that I will eventually want to clear. I also have ¼ mile of driveway with ditches and side growth to keep beat back.

Appreciate any insight and experience you can share!

Thanks for the quick feedback and the link to the Caron!.

I see on their site (Caroni) that they have a 59" suitable for 20-40 hp, but when you go to an adjustable model they call for 30 hp. The upper HP limit is, I think, due to the AGMA standards for gearbox loading; they limit you from using a power/reduction combinations that could destroy the gearbox if you encounter a situation that would completely bind up the machine (I know this from my day job). So when you go to a higher upper hp rated unit you are also getting a heavier duty gearbox, and those also require more power to operate. I'll definitely have to stick with a standard duty models, because all of the intermediate and heave duty machines require higher hp.

 

[KennJ]

I think the limiting factor in your situation is the side load placed on your tractor by the ditch bank flail. Your tractor would easily handle a 5 ft 3 pt flail, but hanging that same flail off the right side of the tractor is a whole new ball game.

And welcome to TBN

I think there is definitely something to that.

The 2515 is the heaviest tractor in it's class, the same frame that is used all the way up to the 48 hp model. I had the tires filled with beet juice and with that and the loader attached and me on board we should be weighing in at 4800 lb. the heavier duty mowers can get pretty heavy, but I would think it could handle one of the lighter machines as far as side loading.

 

[KennJ]

I think the limiting factor in your situation is the side load placed on your tractor by the ditch bank flail. Your tractor would easily handle a 5 ft 3 pt flail, but hanging that same flail off the right side of the tractor is a whole new ball game.

And welcome to TBN

Hey, thanks for the welcome too! So glad I came across this forum; there is a wealth of good stuff here and, it seems, a lot of great folks! The cumulative experience is invaluable.

 

[KennJ]

I have done a lot of reading on the subject of ditch bank flails, but have yet to buy one.
For my application (Kubota L4060) with fluid loaded rears I weigh in at 6400lbs. A 5' ditch flail is about the largest my machine will be able to safely handle when extended off to the side. The flail I intend to eventually buy is about 800 lbs, or 650 lbs for their lighter duty version of the same width. The manufacturer confirmed that either mower would be acceptable for my tractor.

Some manufacturers give minimum tractor weight requirements for their ditch bank flails. After a cursory view of your tractor specs, I would think you will be limited to a 48" ditch flail.

Thanks for that feedback. I think I should pick a model and chat with them and Branson. I'll report back what I hear.