Modified flail mower

[8404]

My flail mower is now a year old and it has already had a barring go out in the right side roller, I figured that if the amount of greese ive put threw these barrings isnt going to keep going at least a couple years i might find a better more reliable set up rather than repairing the roller barrings every six months. and this is what ive decided to do.

before and after pictures.



View attachment 273386

 

[brandoro]

I'm surprised a bearing would fail on the roller, they turn pretty slow after all. Could be it was just a bad bearing. My flail is probably five years old and still has all original bearings.
I am curious where you got the wheel arrangement from. I have thought of putting something similar on my snowblower to keep it out of the gravel early in the season.

 

[8404]

In most cases flail rollers barrings will last years. but im using mine to make a living and it get used sometimes 5-8 hours a day . the side that goes out is the side that i trim the bottom of ditches with and in the spring time the ditches are wet and i think water and dirt are gitting in.
I could have just replaced the bad barring but i was wanting to change to wheels ever since i started using the flail mower this just gave me the excuse , now that the roller is gone i can now mow going backwards and it also discharges out the back without being stoped by the roller.
i left everything to ware i can still put the roller back on if i need to and remove the wheels, but for now its never mowed better in tall grass.

I just when to a tractor supply comp. and bought replacement bush hog tail wheels and forks and went to measuring and welding.

 

[brandoro]

We don't have a Tractor Supply anywhere near where I live but that's a good idea for wheels. I thought about putting sockets on the snowblower then just taking two wheels off my finish mower. Won't ever be using those two attachments the same day.
Do you find your flail throws debris a lot farther without the roller? One of the things I like about the flail is that it doesn't throw things very far.

 

[8404]

for me the most important thing is the flail mower doesnt throw things out the sides and back at my tractor, my 6 foot rotory cutter broke my window out on the second day of moweing thats when i decided to get the flail. my flail mower rotates the same direction as the tractor rolles and the roller definatly caused problems with the discharge to the point it would choke down the flails. now the discharge is strait out the back. I gues i could re attatch the rubber deflecter strip that came with the flail mower if i find the need to control the discharge

 

[cili]

Hey 8404, where you located in north Ms.?

 

[8404]

Tupelo MS

 

[2458n]

I like your set-up and understand your need for it. I got away from the bushog because I mow vacant lots in town. Sometimes they are not very vacant. Nothing like hitting a car tire on the rim with your bushog! Really could not go back after using the flail mower with the roller. Perfect in the fall with leaves.

 

[cili]

Tks 8404 Im in Amory

 

[graydog111]

Really a nice job, 8404.

 

[JoeBuyer]

I mow vacant lots in town. Sometimes they are not very vacant. Nothing like hitting a car tire on the rim with your bushog!

Ever hit a fire extinguisher with a rotary mower? Big cloud of white and a missile. Very dangerous. My flail mower with knives rather than hammers is now what I prefer when doing this type of exploratory mowing. I am always amazed at what people throw over the fence.

 

[dieselscout80]

8404 how wide is your flail mower?

I want to do the same to basic thing to my Ford 917 that is 74" wide, but I think one wheel will be enough. I plan to keep my roller for mowing yard and the tail wheel would only be used for clipping pastures.

 

[8404]

88" wide or 7'.3"

 

[dieselscout80]

8404, do you think a single tail would be enough for my flail mower?

 

[8404]

you might just get away with just one.
But you will need to have plenty of skid metal on the outer sideskirts to rub on when the ground gets uneven.

Does your flail mower spin counter the direction of the tractor tires or the same at the tractor wheels. Ive recently decides that a flail that spins counter the direction of the tractor has a much cleaner cut. mine cuts so much better in reverse. i never noticed untill i removed the roller.