Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[MX Dad]

Cool. I think I may have to jump on the band wagon. The biggest reason is debris. I am concerned with the finish mower that I'm gonna hit one of the kiddos when mowing. Of course I have asked them to stay clear, but still, projectiles can travel long distances.

 

[IslandTractor]

Cool. I think I may have to jump on the band wagon. The biggest reason is debris. I am concerned with the finish mower that I'm gonna hit one of the kiddos when mowing. Of course I have asked them to stay clear, but still, projectiles can travel long distances.

Exactly why I switched to flail. I also have a medium duty bush hog but use it only in remote locations. Too many homes and kids within range of bush hog projectiles in the fields I now mow only with flail.

 

[EdwardB]

I found a used Mott 72" flail near me. It looks to be in decent shape. I'm going to check it out on Thursday. Anybody familiar with this unit or vintage?

 

[TurtleCreekFarm]

Hi, I'm looking to buy a 5' Flail mower to finely chop up cover crops and agriculture crops. I have been doing some research but can't seem to figure out which blade type (duck foot or Y blades) would be best for finely chopping up the vegetation.

Also my tractor has a clutch / gear drive trans where the PTO disengages when the clutch is depressed to change gears. Having never mowed with a PTO mower before, what procedure do you guys use to engage the mower and get up to the proper pto rpms?

I have read some flail mower specs state the gearbox has a "internal over-running clutch" . Is this something I would need given my tractor's gear drive trans?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[IslandTractor]

I think the Y blades are probably better for mulching. The "duck foot" style is generally used for finish mowers though it should be clear that either type of blade will get either job (finish or mulching) done.

To engage the mower, lower RPMs to near idle before reengaging the clutch. Usually need to be a bit over true idle or the tractor might stall but not much over idle. Certainly not at PTO speed or anything close to it.

Sorry, I don't know what an internal over-running clutch is. Maybe one of the other guys can help with with.

 

[whirly]

Hi, I'm looking to buy a 5' Flail mower to finely chop up cover crops and agriculture crops. I have been doing some research but can't seem to figure out which blade type (duck foot or Y blades) would be best for finely chopping up the vegetation.

Also my tractor has a clutch / gear drive trans where the PTO disengages when the clutch is depressed to change gears. Having never mowed with a PTO mower before, what procedure do you guys use to engage the mower and get up to the proper pto rpms?

I have read some flail mower specs state the gearbox has a "internal over-running clutch" . Is this something I would need given my tractor's gear drive trans?

Thanks for any advice.

1) I would get the Y blades

2) Disengage the PTO; Hook up the mower; Raise the mower (assuming your 3pth works with the PTO disengaged); Put it you tractor in gear and head to your first pass. Before you get to the start point, engage the PTO and bring the engine RPM to PTO speed the lower the mower and cut away. Just remember the flail is not a brush hog and you will be mowing between 1 an 3 MPH - find the right gear and you shouldn't have to use the clutch.

[edit] - I see Island doesn't like to engage the mower above idle. I agree if your engine PTO speed is 2000+. However, since my tractor's PTO speed is 1200 engine RPM it really doesn't make a difference fo me

3) An overrunning clutch is usually attached to the PTO Shaft. Unless your tractor is rated at a higher HP than the mower gear box or the flail has only one belt you shouldn't need it.

Just my 2¢ - YMMV

 

[Halftrack]

You will need the overrunning clutch, either built-in the flail gearbox/driveshaft or a separate clutch attached to your pto shaft. Without the overrunning clutch, the back half of the tractor is separated from the engine by the clutch and all it does is uncouple those two devices. When you push in the clutch to stop forward motion, the spinning flail rotor will continue driving the transmission forward because it is all connected via shafts and gears. An overrunning clutch will allow the transmission to stop while the flail spins, to switch gears or reverse and will re-engage the transmission when it comes back up to speed. Get into this situation one time, with the flail pushing the tractor forward, and you will be looking for a clutch.

 

[TurtleCreekFarm]

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like an overrun clutch is something I would want to get.

 

[whirly]

Not trying to start a pi$$ing contest but I just bothered to look up your L3800 on TractorData and and all models of the L3800 have a "Live PTO" not a "Transmission PTO". That means it has a two stage clutch that allows you to change gears by pushing the clutch pedal down 1/2 way while the PTO continues to spin. Pushing the clutch all the way in and the PTO is disengaged. Therefore if you want to stop just push the clutch in all the way and the mower cannot push you forward.

This link explains the different PTO types:
TractorData.com - Power Take-Off

 

[Fallon]

Not trying to start a pi$$ing contest but I just bothered to look up your L3800 on TractorData and and all models of the L3800 have a "Live PTO" not a "Transmission PTO". That means it has a two stage clutch that allows you to change gears by pushing the clutch pedal down 1/2 way while the PTO continues to spin. Pushing the clutch all the way in and the PTO is disengaged. Therefore if you want to stop just push the clutch in all the way and the mower cannot push you forward.

This link explains the different PTO types:
TractorData.com - Power Take-Off

I think the HSTs have a transmission PTO. The HST negates the bad behavior & need for overrun clutches. Think the gear machines are live.

At any rate I have a L3200 HST & no issues. Really the only reason for the clutch on my machine at all is engaging the PTO. Don't believe the gear machines have any bad behavior requiring an overrun clutch either.