Off-set Brush Cutting

[JeffroL]

Thanks for all the input folks, I appreciate it. I agree with the suggestion that a ditch flail is probably the best option. Yes the 5' bushhog is a little small for the machine - but it's what I've got so I use it. I really will only use the attachment 3-4 times a year to clear the buried creeks, along the pond edge and around the edges of the fields. I believe a sickle bar will be too much maintenance. Give it will be only used lightly I went with a value model. This one specifically: Titan 7" 3-Point Offset Flail Ditch Bank Mower

Plan is to the use bushhog to do the heavy cutting of the thick stuff in the fields, and use the flail to trim around the pond, fields, and ditches in 2-3 passes to avoid hitting any obstacles. The challenge will be I should be able to reach areas I've never been able to reach before

 

[Dadnatron]

You have a big tractor... that might not stick out past the wheel as far as you think.

Make sure you have them measure from the center 3pt hitch out to the end of the CUTTING area.

I'd hate for you to be disappointed because you only gain a foot past your tractor wheel.

 

[ovrszd]

And compare that measurement to center of tractor to outside of rear tire.

 

[JeffroL]

And compare that measurement to center of tractor to outside of rear tire.

That's good advice. It doesn't ship for a week so I'll investigate this further. That model of flail is for 70-80hp tractors, and mine is on the lower end of that, I spoke with the Titan Attachments rep for some time about it and he seemed to thing it was a good choice (although he's in the business of selling them so. . . .). The youtube videos also suggest a pretty solid reach. I'm optimistic but will get measurements from centerline.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I mow banks and ditches along a private road under conditions similar to what you describe. I bought the Maschio Girafetta 180SE 72" offset flail mower from Iowa Farm Equipment:

Maschio GIRAFETTA Series Ditch Bank Flail Mower -- Iowa Farm Equipment

I've been using it for a month now and so far, I'm pleased with what it will do. I particularly like the fact that the mower head can be set to cut vertically. It makes short work of brush and tree branches which encroach on the roadway.

 

[keegs]

Morning Jeffrol,

I use a 7' sickle bar mower for going around the pond, around the edges of the fields and up and down the driveway. it does slopes up or down nicely. It'll cut a 2" aspen sapling without skipping a beat. Most of the older models don't require remote hydraulics. My NH 450 cost me $1000. I don't do much to it other than grease it a few times a year. Money don't grow on trees.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I use a sickle bar for roadside brush also. I even hold it off the ground and run along the top of a rough stone wall. I do maintenance once a year, usually replacing one or two teeth or knife sections that have broke. Mine is easy to work on.









gg

 

[fuchifarm]

That's good advice. It doesn't ship for a week so I'll investigate this further. That model of flail is for 70-80hp tractors, and mine is on the lower end of that, I spoke with the Titan Attachments rep for some time about it and he seemed to thing it was a good choice (although he's in the business of selling them so. . . .). The youtube videos also suggest a pretty solid reach. I'm optimistic but will get measurements from centerline.

I was wondering how the flail from Titan worked out for you. I have about 3000ft of pond shore line to tend here as well as a couple thousand feet of ditch. I also have a m7060 and was thinking this would be a good option for me. I am an hour from the Titan warehouse. From the diagrams I can find online it looks like the agf series they sell has about a 46in offset from center of 3pt to the center of the rotation point on the flail and about 36" from center to the outside edge of the flail shroud. Is that about right? If so that should be about perfect for m7060 with 73" width.

 

[murse72]

I have a M7060 with a maschio giraffe 210si and I have no complaints with mine

 

[JeffroL]

I was wondering how the flail from Titan worked out for you. I have about 3000ft of pond shore line to tend here as well as a couple thousand feet of ditch. I also have a m7060 and was thinking this would be a good option for me. I am an hour from the Titan warehouse. From the diagrams I can find online it looks like the agf series they sell has about a 46in offset from center of 3pt to the center of the rotation point on the flail and about 36" from center to the outside edge of the flail shroud. Is that about right? If so that should be about perfect for m7060 with 73" width.

I have found it to be ideal. The reach is tremendous, I can get nearly 6' off my rear tire. The entire cutting portion will be off your tire. Plenty of reach. You don't want anything bigger! One lesson I learned is that my hydraulics move the unit fast. I was in a very slight slope (really slight) and extended it out downslope...when it stopped rather abruptly at the end of the reach I went up on two wheels. After a quick change of shorts I was fine, but it was a good lesson. Go slow and be ready to drop the unit to the ground if things get tippy. Use your ROPS and seat belt 100% of the time.

My main use case is taming the edges of my fields. Upright I can cut back the olive trees encroaching in my fields with ease.

Wear eye protection when you do that. Some debris flies!

All in all it was an outstanding purchase. I'm very pleased.