Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

   / Let's talk flail mowers #2,072  
Excellent!!! Thanks all. Just curious. As stated you sharpen them once per season. How much do you cut each time you go out? Acres? Also, is all of this already short or do you guys cut tall stuff Dow. Each time ? What is the definition of each persons "tall" To me tall is 18"-36" Id say

Since initially clearing the property of small saplings I'm keeping up about 10 acres, cutting about once a month when the grass is about 6-7" tall. Also when sharpening I leave about a 1/16" blunt edge. The 80 grit belt sander is really fast at cutting down the knives so they hardly have time to heat up. After about 2-3 short passes and dips in water they are done. I usually have to touch up one or two to get the weight close then they are ready to re-hang.
 
   / Let's talk flail mowers #2,073  
Since initially clearing the property of small saplings I'm keeping up about 10 acres, cutting about once a month when the grass is about 6-7" tall. Also when sharpening I leave about a 1/16" blunt edge. The 80 grit belt sander is really fast at cutting down the knives so they hardly have time to heat up. After about 2-3 short passes and dips in water they are done. I usually have to touch up one or two to get the weight close then they are ready to re-hang.

And why the blunt edge?
 
   / Let's talk flail mowers #2,074  
I basically treat my flail like a bush hog when cutting fields. I don't sharpen my bush hog blades either. Blunt steel traveling at thousands of feet per minute will tear up any vegetal matter pretty easily. It won't look like a manicured golf green but it knocks the grass/brush down and mulches it which is really all I want. If I mow tall grasses (18-36 inches or so) there will be some matted "hay" after I mow. It is noticeable for several days after it turns tan but then the new grass grows up around it and it is harder to see. If I mow shorter grass you don't see this matting phenomenon.
 
   / Let's talk flail mowers #2,075  
And why the blunt edge?

Manufacturers recommend leaving a blunt edge because it is more durable, the edge will not roll and the knife will be less resistant to nicks and chips that will require more metal removal during follow up sharpenings. This has been debated on several mower and tractor forums and the general consensus is that the difference in cut quality is negligible and will not be noticed. Maintaining a sharp edge would require frequent sharpenings and a greatly reduced life of the knives.
 
   / Let's talk flail mowers #2,076  
My personal opinion regarding sharpening of brush hog blades. It definitely makes a difference.

When cutting thick grass that's tall, sharper blades do leave a nicer finish. When cutting weeds and sporadic grasses then a sharp edge doesn't matter.

When it comes to flail mowing, I'm a newby but learning my the minute....

Although I smoked the belt on the ford today and took a lot longer than the brush hog, it left a much superior cut than a brush hog.


If anyone does file, sand, grind, wet well or however they sharpen the blades, does anyone have a method for sharpening without removing them?

As for the ford 907 22-108 I need to find the correct size so I can pick up a new one. It appeared the size I find is for the model that has a spring tensioner ..... I don't know if they have the same size belt.

I got a new belt for the Mott today and I was able to change it in under 1 minute!!! Amazing!!

It's cool to see the pros and cons of both the ford and mott
 
   / Let's talk flail mowers #2,077  
Kevlar belts last significantly longer. I've been happy with Gates.
 
   / Let's talk flail mowers #2,078  
Hello Ken,

If the numbers are not legible on the flat carcass of the belt just take the belt
to an automotive retailer or tractor supply that has a belt measuring stick and
they will get you the right Kevlar V-Belt.

Happy Mowing
 
   / Let's talk flail mowers #2,079  
Hello Ken,

If the numbers are not legible on the flat carcass of the belt just take the belt
to an automotive retailer or tractor supply that has a belt measuring stick and
they will get you the right Kevlar V-Belt.

Happy Mowing
 
   / Let's talk flail mowers #2,080  
Hello Ken, If the numbers are not legible on the flat carcass of the belt just take the belt to an automotive retailer or tractor supply that has a belt measuring stick and they will get you the right Kevlar V-Belt. Happy Mowing

Grr tractor supply is closed today... The wife just informed me it suppose to rain tomorrow so I'll be making the trip there in the morning. Thank you!!!! Unfortunately they're not legible
 
 

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