Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[Solinski]

Hi Leonz,
Won't need mower until April or May 2012. I'll check those sources.
Thanks! Solinski

 

[tbutman]

I have two JD 7' 25A's and I have had them for a loong time. I can offer a tip or two about them. First when you set them down hydraulically in the field, ALWAYS do so gently and not just drop them. This will extend bearing life by 5 to the roller. Also when you get in a batch of new flails (teeth)- Run a bead of weld on the underside where both sides wrap down to meet each other. This will double or triple their life. Good Luck

 

[Iron Brew]

Does anybody have a chart for flail interchangeability? I have an agrimaster kl1600 and have been having a **** of a time finding teeth for it (that I can afford).

Thanks

 

[Solinski]

Hi tbutman, Thanks for tips on flails! I am considering the AgriEase #BE-EFGC175-Y11 68" flail ($1800.00). This flail has cast cutters which are hammer style. I need to find out if they are cast steel or cast iron. I have welded cast steel parts but have had limited success welding cast iron or even brazing cast iron. Do you use wire feed or stick? What brand and type wire or electrode do you use to hard-face? I hard-faced the tines on my 1972 Troybilt Horse tiller with wire feed welder; that definitely slowed down wear. Very good suggestion! Especially at the cost of cutters. I will post some photo's of the AgriEase cutters after I get my Microsoft Photo Gallery repaired. Thanks again! Solinski

 

[KennyV]

You can get replacement blades several places...
Measure your knives and use the 'contact us' link at this site... Flail-Master - Mower Replacement Parts, Commercial Riding Mower Parts, Rotary Cutter Parts, Blade grinders, Trimmer Line, Mowing Accessories - Flail Master - Flailmaster -
They will fix you up... KennyV

 

[kybound]

The EFGC model number is the same used by Value Leader (Betsco) who sells on ebay. I have one of their smaller 48" (EFGC125) and find it to be very heavy duty. I've used mine a few times for clearing brush and am very happy with it. These are Chinese made flail, but appear to be well made.

This is a picture of my son (he does have ear plugs on) going through some brush on our property. The cleaned up foreground was as thick as what to see behind the tractor. Good luck

 

[Solinski]

The EFGC model number is the same used by Value Leader (Betsco) who sells on ebay. I have one of their smaller 48" (EFGC125) and find it to be very heavy duty. I've used mine a few times for clearing brush and am very happy with it. These are Chinese made flail, but appear to be well made.

This is a picture of my son (he does have ear plugs on) going through some brush on our property. The cleaned up foreground was as thick as what to see behind the tractor. Good luck

Hi Kybound, That's some serious cutting! I just viewed those flail mowers on ebay. I'm lucky that my local dealer sells them for about the same cost. The Braber (AgriEase) BE-EFGC 175 , 68 inch working width, 56 cutters, wt. is a hefty 791 lbs. (similar Caroni is 562 lbs). I'm glad that you are :thumbsupleased with your flail, and thanks for letting me know! I would prefer USA made but then I couldn't afford to even buy a flail mower. There is an almost new 60 inch :licking:Gearmore on craigs list priced at $4,500, (new cost $5,800). Very nice but more than twice the cost of the Braber 68 inch ($1800). Is your tractor HST or Gear? Tractor model and HP?
If a person was working the flail commercially I could see spending the extra $$$. Good luck on the flail! If you have any trouble or good reports keep us posted!
Solinski

 

[sodamo]

Another positive report on flail mowers. Today while shopping for a new tractor at Lane Tractor in Los Molinos Ca., another prospective tractor buyer and I were comparing tractor details. The discussion led to mowers. My new tractor buddy said that his best friend cuts grass along roads for local municipalities and private land owners. He said that his friend started his business with rough terrain rotary cutters and gradually moved into flail cutters as an experiment, now he uses only flail mowers for all cutting jobs. I am still in the research phase of rotary vs flail mower, but I am leaning towards a flail mower. I am considering the Braber Equip. "AgriEase 68 inch model BE-EFG175", (hammer cutters). If all works out this will be part of a package deal with the LS G3033 tractor. Anyone have personal experience with or heard :thumbsupositive or :thumbdown:negatives concerning the AgriEase flail mower? I'll list the details of my :cloud9:new tractor package and pricing on the LS tractor discussion.
Solinski

I believe this is same as the Value Leader brand with Betsco. Had mine aver two years and love it. Have the heavy duty version and it's built like a tank. Started with the hammers as we had a lot of pig damage. Basically, running it as close to ground as possible, practically ground engaging. Wore out the hammers cutting too many rocks and switched to the blades, but I don't like the cut as well on thin stuff, wish the finish type cups were an option. Originally used it with my Kioti Ck30HST, then my 35 hp case DX35
Have fun

 

[Solinski]

Hi Sodamo,
Thanks for info. on Value Leader flail!
Solinski

 

[kybound]

Is your tractor HST or Gear? Tractor model and HP?
If a person was working the flail commercially I could see spending the extra $$$. Good luck on the flail! If you have any trouble or good reports keep us posted!
Solinski

Tractor is a 2520 26hp/20 HP@ PTO with HST. Only issue that I've had with the mower is breaking the soft bolts that I use for the shear pin. I think that it calls for Grade 5 and I am using something softer. This only happens when I first engage the PTO - even at low RPMs and the mower off the ground. I need to either get the Grade 5 bolts or better yet a slip clutch.

 

[horsinaround]

Tractor is a 2520 26hp/20 HP@ PTO with HST. Only issue that I've had with the mower is breaking the soft bolts that I use for the shear pin. I think that it calls for Grade 5 and I am using something softer. This only happens when I first engage the PTO - even at low RPMs and the mower off the ground. I need to either get the Grade 5 bolts or better yet a slip clutch.

Maybe you need to just let the clutch out slower? I have never seen a shear bolt break on start up at an idle... that doesn't make sence.

 

[Code54]

Tractor is a 2520 26hp/20 HP@ PTO with HST. Only issue that I've had with the mower is breaking the soft bolts that I use for the shear pin. I think that it calls for Grade 5 and I am using something softer. This only happens when I first engage the PTO - even at low RPMs and the mower off the ground. I need to either get the Grade 5 bolts or better yet a slip clutch.

Have you attempted to unhook the PTO, lift the mower and see if you can rotate the drum/pulley by hand. Sometime when you find you are sheering a lot of bolts you find there is something binding you may not notice when the tractor is powering the implement.

 

[leonz]

About your flailmower (insert Heart shape here)

are you starting the Power take off at idel speed and then
running it up slowly? that may be the problem.

Remember too that it is the V belt(s) for your flailmower that
are the relief valve in the power train of the system to prevent
damage to the bearings and flail rotor.



The "Flail Mower Nation" changing the way America mows one flailmower at at a time.

________________________________________________________________
Once you go flail you never go back:thumbsup::licking::drool:
Pronovost or not at all!!!:thumbsup::licking::drool:

 

[kybound]

Thanks for the suggestions on my shear pin issue. There is no clutch to let out slowly, the PTO is a switch on the dash. I'll have to check if anything is binding. This may most likely be the case because when it goes it goes right away. I do start the PTO at idle and slowly speed it up, but when it breaks, it is right away - before I get a chance to increase the RPMs.

I've heard that blades may sometime hit bolt head underneath. I'll have to check closer. The tractor and property are ~400 miles from home and I haven't made time to go down in a few months. Thanks again.

 

[leonz]

Thanks for the suggestions on my shear pin issue. There is no clutch to let out slowly, the PTO is a switch on the dash. I'll have to check if anything is binding. This may most likely be the case because when it goes it goes right away. I do start the PTO at idle and slowly speed it up, but when it breaks, it is right away - before I get a chance to increase the RPMs.

I've heard that blades may sometime hit bolt head underneath. I'll have to check closer. The tractor and property are ~400 miles from home and I haven't made time to go down in a few months. Thanks again.

If you can provide some good pictures that would be great.

I am curious to find out if your shear pins are too weak?


The grass slicers or hammers should never hit a bolt head at any I repeat any time period.

If you have a bad hanger or shackle the unit will need work but I would Check to be sure the PTO shaft is not too long also.

 

[GinNB]

My guess is the shear bolt is wearing thin in use and then shearing when the snap of startup hits it. The one you are using is most likely way too soft and needs the grade 5 like you said. If you want to know for sure, just order a pin from a dealer instead of just sticking any old bolt in and hoping it works. Probably cost you a few dollars instead of a few cents but then you'll know for sure. Cheaper than downtime, the frustration, and gas running to get new "inexpensive" bolts.

If blades are hitting anything inside the mower you'll DEFINITELY know it. Steel hitting steel at maybe a couple of thousand feet per second is LOUD. We run mowers til they drop, are rebuilt, and then drop again and I know the sound. You'll also chew up whatever the blades are hitting without hurting a proper shear bolt.

 

[dlmpsy]

Since this is the "flail mower thread", I have a question. I have about $2,000 to spend and have been looking at the Caroni...the 6ft. model from ASC. My tractor is an MX5100 Kubota, and I'll be using it to keep the fields clear...no heavy brush (unless by accident), maybe some small trees that sprout-up every year. I've been using a 6ft. bush hog for years and figure it's time to move-on. I've not had any luck finding any used flails in my area, is the Caroni a good choice at this price range?

 

[beppington]

Yes! :thumbsup:

 

[joemd11]

Yes x2 :thumbsup:.

 

[IslandTractor]

Yes! :thumbsup:

I agree. I've had my TM1900 for four years and I have been very happy with it. There is more routine maintenance with a flail compared to a bush hog but the cut quality is far better and the flails are safer.