Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[John Fitzgerald]

I wouldn't worry about no dealer support locally. None of us with Caroni mowers have any dealer support but AgriSupply and Flailmaster have all the necessary maintenance and wear items easily available. If you can operate a grease gun and a couple of wrenches you can maintain a flail mower yourself with no trouble.

Then is there effectively no warranty on a new one, since dealers are several hundreds or more miles away? I would just as well get a decent used one, if I could find one. Nothing in Tulsa listings is suitable.

 

[IslandTractor]

Then is there effectively no warranty on a new one, since dealers are several hundreds or more miles away? I would just as well get a decent used one, if I could find one. Nothing in Tulsa listings is suitable.

The only benefit of a new one is 1) new bearings, 2) new belts, 3) new blades/hangers and perhaps 4) new gearbox. You also get to do the preventive maintenance yourself rather than wonder if the first owner kept up with it. That said, if I could get a well cared for and not worn out Alamo for less than the cost of a new Caroni, I'd take the used one. Caroni is a fine company that I think is about the same as Woods, BushHog, Rhino, Landpride. They make excellent medium duty flails. A heavy duty Alamo will cut thicker material and be easier to get parts for. You don't want a beat to crap Alamo but if there was one that spent most of it's life mowing the high school football field I'd jump.

 

[vlcakc]

Then is there effectively no warranty on a new one, since dealers are several hundreds or more miles away? I would just as well get a decent used one, if I could find one. Nothing in Tulsa listings is suitable.

Flail mowers in this part of Oklahoma are virtually unknown by the dealers or users. When I bought the NH TC45D I was also looking at rotary cutters and finish mowers. The dealer said he had a NH 918H the local county had ordered then cancelled due to a budget cut. He claimed it would serve the same purposes as the rotary cutter and finish mower at less cost. In fact he offered to sell at "his cost" (showed me the factory invoice) as he thought I would probably be the only one interested in buying. I believed him and naively bought it. After 16 years of use I have concluded the salesman was right! It served very well as a dual purpose machine until I sold it last November. If I replace it I'll bite the bullet and but a new one as decent used ones are simply not available in this area. Vic

 

[lennyzx11]

I have been looking for a flail mower for my 25 HP hydro tractor. It seems they are unknown around here (NW Arkansas). I stopped by the largest tractor and implement dealer in the area today, and a salesman told me he had never seen one come through that dealership in the 13 years he has worked there. The only way to get one, it seems, is to order it online, and then no service after the sale. Cannot even find a used one. Nothing suitable on CL within 250 miles of here. I am guessing my tractor would handle a 48" to 60 inch flail (19 HP at PTO).

I just noticed 2 5 Footers in the TBN classified in Oklahoma today. (Search Location).
One for 300 looked promising.

I watch Craigslist also in our area for treasures. My flail is a 6 ft older Mott that came from Ft Smith CL. I think it was 140.

 

[John Fitzgerald]

Flail mowers in this part of Oklahoma are vertually unknown by the dealers or users. When I bought the NH TC45D I was also looking at rotary cutters and finish mowers. The dealer said he had a NH 918H the local county had ordered then cancelled due to a budget cut. He claimed it would serve the same purposes as the rotary cutter and finish mower at less cost. In fact he offered to sell at "his cost" (showed me the factory invoice) as he thought I would probably be the only one interested in buying. I believed him and naively bought it. After 16 years of use I have concluded the salesman was right! It served very well as a dual purpose machine until I sold it last November. If I replace it I'll bite the bullet and but a new one as decent used ones are simply not available in this area. Vic

Yes, the salesman acted like I was stupid for even asking. Apparently, the dealership pushes rotary cutters only.

That old Mott looks like a long term fixer upper if not total junk. The Alamo is very rusty looking, and my tractor is probably too small to pull it well.

 

[powerscol]

John - sent you a PM

Also folks it looks like Iowa Farm Equipment has added some different brands to their flail line up, including a big Rhino T*****x Flail Mower that cuts 252".... that's 21'

John - there are some good brands out there and Iowa Farm equipment carry's a lot. I did a lot of looking, but I wanted one that offset to do ditch banks. It was tough finding one that shifted far enough that the pivot point cleared my outside rear tire. At this time I would think twice about the cheep China made ones, but some folks find that they do well for them. Just my 02

 

[Catman8]

JOhn - sent you a PM

Also folks it looks like Iowa Farm Equipment has added some different brands to their flail line up, including a big Rhino T*****x Flail Mower that cuts 252".... that's 21'

My local home town mercantile carries Rhino Implements, is (Big) Rhino the same thing.

Born To Lead | Rhino

 

[powerscol]

Then is there effectively no warranty on a new one, since dealers are several hundreds or more miles away? I would just as well get a decent used one, if I could find one. Nothing in Tulsa listings is suitable.

Talk to you selling dealer. In my case all they would need is good photos of the issue and they would take care of parts. However routeen maintenance is key. If you forget to grease and something breaks, it your nickle. However if you read this entire thread you might find one or two warranty issues. There are relative simple machines - not much goes wrong.

 

[IslandTractor]

Talk to you selling dealer. In my case all they would need is good photos of the issue and they would take care of parts. However routeen maintenance is key. If you forget to grease and something breaks, it your nickle. However if you read this entire thread you might find one or two warranty issues. There are relative simple machines - not much goes wrong.

Agree. I think almost all maintenance issues have just been wear parts. The only "weak" points in the Caroni seem to be the quality of the factory fitted belts (easily fixed by replacing with Gates B43 kevlar) and possibly the metric clevises. The clevises are an issue only for folks who mow in rocky soil though so more of a wear/safety item than defect.

 

[powerscol]

My local home town mercantile carries Rhino Implements, is (Big) Rhino the same thing.

Born To Lead | Rhino

Looks like it Flex Finish Mowers | Rhino

Site also covers the other product folks usually see too.