Super Mongo Heavy Rotary Cutter....or just a medium one?

[WoodChuckDad]

Now you guys have me considering a flail mower. I had not previously thought of it and know almost nothing about them. A quick look on craigslist shows only two old ford units in my area. A few threads on TBN talk about several different brands. From land pride to Del Morino to Bestco.
I like the lower likelihood of throwing things out and they look like they would be more maneuverable in the orchard and leave a finely chopped grass that decays quicker. I also wouldn’t be too worried about my wife running it as opposed to the rotary mower.

 

[rustyshakelford]

A 7' mower is a ******* size. They get really really long & heavy spinning one blade. An 8' dual spindle is much shorter & generally uses less HP.

As others said, dont kill your tractor. You need some pretty decent skidplates & grill guards to not tear the guts out of your machine with 3-4" material. **** I need much better guards than I have on my machine for the 1-2" brush I do a fair bit,

Yup. I hated our 7’ and like the 8’

Brett

 

[Silvic]

I would not go with the Woods BB-84 model if you want that size. Go with the BB-840. Do not under tough it.
I have the BB-720 (fore-runner to the 720X) and would not hesitate to use it for the purposes you describe. ( and I have ) The narrow model may take a bit longer but the maneuverability is a positive trade-off.
A flail is not a bad idea either.
By the way I do forestry mulching and I use a Fecon mulching head for that purpose. I use it where it is appropriate and I use my Woods BB720 where appropriate.
Each has their purpose just as a flail has its purpose.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

I am liking the idea of the flail mower. The question then becomes what kind fo flail blades. there seem to be grass blades and mulching chipper type blades. I'm not trying to get a golf course cut. Mostly just knocking things down in the orchard.and eventually cutting some grass around the house....and sometimes some brush but I doubt I would cut anything over an inch on a regular basis. And if I decide later that I still need a rotary, I could go a little smaller. There seem to be a good supply of used 6 and 5 foot rotary cutter around here.

 

[otus_branch]

Hi WoodChuckDad,

I'm in a similar boat as you with respect to the "considering flail mowers" stage. I'm researching 6' models for my Kubota, but the maneuverability (relative to an equivalent-sized rotary cutter) gets even better when you go up to seven feet.

Two threads very worth a look are the monster flail mower discussion:
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/118882-lets-talk-flail-mowers.html

And this one comparing two budget options:
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/377434-caroni-tm1900-flail-mower-vs.html

In that latter thread, a six-footer is the largest Caroni model sold by Agri-Supply, while Woodmaxx imports models up to eight feet I think. Other options in a seven foot class would include Betstco, here:
Betstco Tractor Implements

and Del Morino, here:
Tractor Tools Direct | Product Categories | Flail Mowers

I'm sure there are other options, but that's what my searching and budget have turned up.

Regarding blades, the Woodmaxx sales rep felt confident that spring steel Y-blades are the best option for rocky ground and brush up to 1" diameter. That's just one guy's opinion, but others here have posted similar experiences in some of the above threads.

Good luck!

-otus

 

[Fallon]

My old beat up Ford 917 with the lighter Y blades did great on grass & finger sized brush. It would do up to 1" or so ok. Bigger than that the knives were to light do do much beyond gnaw off the bark. My new Peruzzo with several pound hammers will chew up whatever I can drive over & have the HP for. I can eat wrist size woody stuff if I offset the flail so I dont drive over it before the flail gets to it.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

Well, i like to examine my options. There is a 7.5 foot ford on craigslist. Guys buys and sells so he has never run it. Price is decent. Would my 7320 kioti be too strong for it? 63 hp pto. I was thinknit ng that it might do the trick to keep the orchard and **** tidy for a yearnor two and then i could upgrade. If i bought the ford, id keep it out of brush and just use it for grass and cover crops.

 

[leonz]

Hello WoodChuckDad,

The main thing to remember is that you leave the engine speed of your mule at the 540 RPM PTO Speed "AT ALL TIMES" when mowing and if it gets over loaded the V belts will break.

I would not buy it UNLESS he can run it in front of you or you pay a farm equipment mechanic for an hours time and buy his dinner for his opinion that is intimately familiar with flail mowers and or flail shredders.

If you have a big shop, tools and a welder and perhaps an A frame hoist to do any work it may be a worthwhile a winter project

If he has a picture of it that he or you can upload all the better for us AND YOU.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

Thank you Leonz. I will let it pass. I don't have a barn yet, and I don't have the time for big projects. I'm wading thru the big flail mower thread trying to learn what I can. I have a couple models on my mind. Both are Italian. Over time, that may change. Currently considering the Phoenix TE-220 and the Del Marino TL 84

 

[otus_branch]

My old beat up Ford 917 with the lighter Y blades did great on grass & finger sized brush. It would do up to 1" or so ok. Bigger than that the knives were to light do do much beyond gnaw off the bark. My new Peruzzo with several pound hammers will chew up whatever I can drive over & have the HP for. I can eat wrist size woody stuff if I offset the flail so I dont drive over it before the flail gets to it.

Helpful information, thanks!