Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

docsfarm · Nov 4, 2016

Finally had a chance to mow a bit during the day with the Fm4188. Just thought I'd post a bit more feedback.
Mows very nicely. Tackled lots of 1-2" multiflora rose and various other bushes and briars without issue. Occasionally I needed a second pass on some of the big stud to get it fully mulched. I took a couple pictures early on and then forgot to take any more. Doh!!!
I really like it. It is very heavy! I'm glad I have a beefy tractor! I like the offset. I wasn't sure I'd like it. Now I need to shift it further. It uses a very easy to use hand crank to shift it rather than bolting and unbolting the mount. I'd buy a hydraulic shift kit for it tomorrow if they made one. I wish they did.... if anyone knows of one that would work, let me know. I've heard the Landpride is a maschioto (sp?) and I emailed their contact page but never heard anything back.
If you have questions about the mower feel free to ask. I'm happy with it thus far!

sidecarist · Nov 4, 2016

docsfarm said:
Finally had a chance to mow a bit during the day with the Fm4188. Just thought I'd post a bit more feedback.
Mows very nicely. Tackled lots of 1-2" multiflora rose and various other bushes and briars without issue. Occasionally I needed a second pass on some of the big stud to get it fully mulched. I took a couple pictures early on and then forgot to take any more. Doh!!!
I really like it. It is very heavy! I'm glad I have a beefy tractor! I like the offset. I wasn't sure I'd like it. Now I need to shift it further. It uses a very easy to use hand crank to shift it rather than bolting and unbolting the mount. I'd buy a hydraulic shift kit for it tomorrow if they made one. I wish they did.... if anyone knows of one that would work, let me know. I've heard the Landpride is a maschioto (sp?) and I emailed their contact page but never heard anything back.
If you have questions about the mower feel free to ask. I'm happy with it thus far!

I'm curious, did you mow with the rear door open, or closed? It's so dry in my part of TN I don't have any heavy growth to mow.

Lnk · Nov 4, 2016

Any rain in the forecast sidecarist? My neighbors are saying things are really dry there. I am just west of 75 tween Knox and Chat. We could really use some rain as it is like a tinder box. I am in the Northeast right now and have plenty. Would like to send some down....

To keep on topic, would like to use my flail so need things to grow...

LNK

docsfarm · Nov 4, 2016

I mowed with the door closed. Because of the terrain I was on, I didn't go fast. But it wasn't a problem at all. I will have to seem how it does on 6+ foot tall switch grass. Might need the open door then.
I'm impressed with what it handles which is why I got this particular mower. It is rated for 2" material.

sidecarist · Nov 4, 2016

lnk said:
Any rain in the forecast sidecarist? My neighbors are saying things are really dry there. I am just west of 75 tween Knox and Chat. We could really use some rain as it is like a tinder box. I am in the Northeast right now and have plenty. Would like to send some down....

To keep on topic, would like to use my flail so need things to grow...

LNK

No rain of any significance... Its scary dry here. Its so dry I have to water my partial post holes to complete them!

I'm up on the plateau north of Dayton. I have mowed a bit but it hardly seems worth it. What I have to do isn't even a challenge for the mower.

sidecarist · Nov 4, 2016

docsfarm said:
View attachment 486875 View attachment 486876 View attachment 486877 View attachment 486878
I mowed with the door closed. Because of the terrain I was on, I didn't go fast. But it wasn't a problem at all. I will have to seem how it does on 6+ foot tall switch grass. Might need the open door then.
I'm impressed with what it handles which is why I got this particular mower. It is rated for 2" material.

Nice, I probably won't have anything that challenging until next summer. Its just too dry here for much to grow.

docsfarm · Nov 6, 2016

Had opportunity to use the trash door.... &#55357;&#56900; Unfortunately it was to use it to remove a huge amount of fencing wire that I hit. I saw it and let off the go just a split second too late. It shut the tractor right down. Not a little bit of wire. The previous owners must have piled it there. I estimate 50 feet of it at least. Took an hour and a half to remove. But wow, having that door was a life saver!!!

The before picture doesn't show all the wire under the grass. The after picture is just a portion of what I removed!!!
Back up and running without issue.

JimCan · Nov 6, 2016

Folks, I am unable to get my flail to oivot back onto the roller; my top link will not extend far enough to rocker the flail rearward. I read that, rather than running level, if you raise the nose of the flail you can cut a little taller than the 'standard'. Any thoughts?

Jim

docsfarm · Nov 6, 2016

Do you have a picture of it hooked to the tractor? Can you just get a longer top link?

sidecarist · Nov 6, 2016

On my woodman they recommend a 15 degree nose up angle. I can barely get it level, with my top link shortened up. but have plenty of length to get it nose up.

I would guess the only way to do it is for you to buy a longer top link.