What mower for YM 1510d?

[yellowdog5]

I am considering getting a mower for my little Yanmar 1510D, I don't know what mowers would be the right size? Looking for suggestions.

 

[CoyPatton]

Your YM1510D = 1st 2 digits = 15 hp at the PTO or about 18 hp engine, so 4 ft is going to be as large as you want to go if any heavy mowing happens. If you are able to stay on top of the mowing (never get behind due to heavy rains, you might be able to run a 60” mower, but I have doubts. With 60” mower, you probably will need some front counter balance weight. )
The last 2 digits means the older style power shift — shifter located on top of transmission. Newer power shift is YMXX20 and the shifter is up by the steering wheel.
The ‘D’ indicates 4x4.

You may have know all of this, but still good for all of us to be reminded.

 

[yellowdog5]

Thank you I am looking at a 37" flail mower. Looks like it would be maximum? Here are the specs.

Working Width 37”
Overall Width 41”
Min. HP Req. 15 HP
Hitch Cat I
Gear Box Rating 45 HP
Distance Right of Center Mount 16.87 Inches or 21.12 inches
Grass Blades 36 Blades
Comes with Reversible “Y” Blades with precise blade overlap
Standard 3-Pt Category I Hitch Mount
Shear Bolt PTO Shaft for Standard 1-3/8” 6-Spline PTO

 

[California]

Thank you I am looking at a 37" flail mower. Looks like it would be maximum? Here are the specs.
...
Min. HP Req. 15 HP

Weight? That's likely under the 450 or so lbs you can lift easily, but check this. If it wants 15 hp you will be running wide open but that's what the tractor is designed for. Keep the radiator screen clean!

 

[yellowdog5]

Yes it is under 450 thank you so much for the advice.

 

[CoyPatton]

Weight? That's likely under the 450 or so lbs you can lift easily, but check this. If it wants 15 hp you will be running wide open but that's what the tractor is designed for. Keep the radiator screen clean!

Agreed but I find that those hp ratings unless specifically state are engine hp. So while still he will need to run at the RPM’s for PTO 540 (if marked) or full throttle if not marked, this is the design of the tractor. His engine hp is roughly 18hp on his YM1510D. Not a lot of margin beyond the min but a bit. Not know his tractor, my concern is if 37” of cut is enough to cut the width of his rear tires and id that is an issue for him. If it is a non issue, then I believe it should work fine.

 

[yellowdog5]

Since it's a flail mower and I don't need it to look like a park, the width should be OK. They do have a 41" one rated at 16hp minimum and still under 450#, I would rather have that one but thought it might be too much for the tractor. What do you think?

 

[winston1]

Just curious what would make you choose the flail mower instead of a rotary cutter if not wanting a park look? I am thinking they are quite a bit more expensive.

 

[California]

Just curious what would make you choose the flail mower instead of a rotary cutter if not wanting a park look? I am thinking they are quite a bit more expensive.

Good point. A rotary mower is far simpler, and cheaper. I've read they need less hp for each specific width. I'm running a 4 ft rotary mower with that same tractor (YM186D = YM1510D) and it handles it fine. One of my tasks is to break up debris I've cut down from overhanging oak trees and the rotary mower will shred anything up to 2 inch diameter and hack larger material. Without damaging the mower. I don't know if a flail mower will do this.

Here's YM186D with 4 ft rotary mower at the limit. I was doing ok until it got steeper. I had to take less than a 4 ft cut to mow up this slope at reasonable speed.

Another mowing pic. Climbing up these terraces, a close-coupled flail mower could follow the terrain better.

 

[yellowdog5]

The ground we want to mow is quite rough and has rocks, I don't think a rotary mower would survive. But I am learning more about the flail mowers and they don't have the chains like the old ones, I wonder if they are as tough as the ones with chains? Any and all info is welcome and much appreciated, I am very ignorant on the subject of tractor mowers. Oh, another question what about a rotary mower with breakaway blades?

 

[California]

Anybody know? Rotary, or flaiil, more easily damaged by rocks?

I very rarely hit a rock, only in a drainage ditch by the lane, and no damage so far in 15+ years.

What is others' experience?

I would have guessed that flail cutters are more easily damaged.

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

Anybody know? Rotary, or flaiil, more easily damaged by rocks?

I very rarely hit a rock, only in a drainage ditch by the lane, and no damage so far in 15+ years.

What is others' experience?

I would have guessed that flail cutters are more easily damaged.

The flails bounce off of rock and are less likely to throw the rock. The cutting edges of any mower will be damaged by rock, but the flails have less energy eack and there are a lot more of them so cutting ability isn't harmed much at all. I wrapped some burried 1/2 inch cable around my flail and all that happened was a couple of bent knives, bit they straightened out easily. My flail is an older light duty Ford model so I don't use it in heavy brush. I have an old beater brush hog that I use to take out blackberries and other thick brush..

 

[winston1]

This is the swivel stump jumper blades on what I am calling a rotary mower. Tough as nails. RCR12 Series Rotary Cutters | Land Pride

 

[CoyPatton]

This is the swivel stump jumper blades on what I am calling a rotary mower. Tough as nails. RCR12 Series Rotary Cutters | Land Pride

First I run an older rotary cutter, and yes it tough and cuts most everything. That said, if it does not cut it and it is not solid in the ground, it can and it has thrown stuff. It has never happened to me, but I know a guy that thought he had been shot while brush cutting, but had a small piece if rock removed from his shoulder. He thinks that it hit a wall on an old barn and then was redirected to hit him. Wild set of angles, but he had photos of fresh marks on the wall. At any rate I have seen my through lots of stuff out.
I do not know his property layout, but I always insist that while I brush cut, everyone stats indoors or is not at home. My Iso-Tunes headphones means help is a voice activated call away.

 

[YanmarFever]

Every 1510 we sold with a 48" Howse brush hog mower and an overrunning clutch.

You can always get chains for the mower to stop the flying missiles that you hit..... Be sure to walk the property first and look at the ground you will be mowing.
If you see any dangerous spots, mark them with some orange marking tape (loggers tape)

Dont use it without the overrunning clutch, you risk breaking the pto shaft, and your pride....

There aren't to many of those shafts floating around the US.

 

[CoyPatton]

TractorErnie, great to see you here again. May just be me but I haven’t seen any comments in a while. Always great to get your very informed input.

 

[YanmarFever]

Thank You for the kind words, I turned into a part time farmer in the south which keeps me real busy and then there's always the gran kids too....

 

[CoyPatton]

Thank You for the kind words, I turned into a part time farmer in the south which keeps me real busy and then there's always the gran kids too....

How do you farm part time? There is always something to do when farming and it matters not what kind of farming.
I wish my grandchildren were closer. 2 about 90 minutes one way, the other a hard hard day away.

 

[YanmarFever]

We farm fruit groves.

 

[CoyPatton]

We farm fruit groves.

Well you got me on that one. I know next to nothing or perhaps less about fruit grove farming.
I have been involved with row crop farming and with a couple of different types of livestock farming.
At times in some of this while working a full time job in addition to farming. And a bit of haying also.
Between the various things needing to be done, I frequently worked as many or more hours farming as I did the other job. And always more hours at harvest time on crops. Even in off seasons there was plenty to keep one busy.