Why is my flail mower binding all the time?

[rehashed]

I am pretty new to this, so please excuse the noob question. There doesnt seem to be anywhere on the internet that actually tells you how to use farming equipment, and the manuals are next to useless, so no doubt im probably doing something silly.

I have a 125cm flail mower, and it just refuses to cut anything but short grass. Anything large or dense and it just binds around the drum, seizing and causing the belt to start smoking.

It doesnt matter if im in the slowest gear possible
It doesnt seem to matter the height I "cut" at.
It doesnt seem to matter the power - Ive tried on a 17hp and a 45hp (ive seen people on youtube chewing through stuff with a 25hp)

It was my understanding that these things will clear scrub, but I cant seem to make any progress at all

What could be the problem? Should the hammers be sharp? They arent sharp when new, and I cant seem to find any information in the manual or online (besides a single youtube video) about sharpening flail hammers - so I am not sure if you are supposed to..

 

[dieselscout80]

Is it spinning the correct direction or the hammers are installed backwards?

 

[rehashed]

Is it spinning the correct direction or the hammers are installed backwards?

I wish that were the case Sadly its all set up correctly in that regard.

 

[Halftrack]

Are you running it at full RPM, 540 plus?

 

[alexpops]

Are you running it at full RPM, 540 plus?

Rpm at the pto, so ... 1800-2000ish on the engine? Belts tight?

 

[rehashed]

Rpm at the pto, so ... 1800-2000ish on the engine? Belts tight?

Are you running it at full RPM, 540 plus?

Yep, PTO running at ~540. Belts are tight

 

[Sportsman762]

Can you provide some additional background? There is way to many variables for us to offer good solid suggestions without additional data. Glad to see your running the PTO at 540, its amazing the number of folks who do not, then wonder why the finish is not good.

What make / model of flail?
Did you buy it new or used?
What does it have for knives or hammers?
What are you mowing (tall is subjective).
How fast are you trying to mow?
Anything else we should know?

I had issues with my Alamo SHD88 slipping. The spring on the tensioner needed replaced, the pulley for the drive was worn, and I was using a wrapped belt instead of a raw edge belt for the drive. However that is not neccessarily the same issue your having. I was mowing wet grass about 1' tall and it was just too much for the belt with worn out parts to handle. It now will make the tractor grunt hard before the slip clutch will slip, not the belt.

 

[arto98607]

Photos would be helpful.

 

[oosik]

Don't fret. With you providing more info - the situation will surely be diagnosed and a solution be found.

 

[alexpops]

Some of the chinese flails come with pretty crappy belts from the factory. Maybe a belt change? Also, they ship without oil in the gearbox. Did you fill with 80/90 weight? Or whatever it calls for? Greased all the zircs, bearings, etc.?