Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

JWR · Jul 1, 2020

To each his own but I'd consider a 5ft. bush hog for the work you describe. The hog will stand more unexpected heavy woody things. And rocks. And stumps. I know Autumn Olives and do not know Russian Olive. Surely you do not mean 10 to 18 FEET tall ? You're not cutting much of anything 18ft tall with a flail mower. You might with a bush hog depending on thickness, etc. The hog is a more universal tool, though when a flail fits your task it can be faster and in some cases do a cleaner cut. And the bush hog will be about half the price.

ptoengageant · Jul 1, 2020

Thanks. Keeping the walls clean may prove difficult without the offset of a flail mower though, unless I知 missing something. I realize that I may need to clear the larger stuff with a backhoe first. I壇 also prefer the mulching action of the flail but I知 certainly open to all options.

cholland · Jul 1, 2020

I have a Betstco EFG-175 on my CK3510. In the neutral position it is still a bit offset. For me it covers my tracks and stick out about 8" on the right side. Can adjust for 5 more inches of offset.
Seems well built. Its no tank, but it is clean and solid. Lube often! I use it mainly in grass but have backed it over some 5 foot tall poison oak. takes it down no problem.
The hammers do a decent job on grass, but they don't like big rocks. Broke a hammer on my last session.
When I ordered the guy on the phone was helpful. They don't show it on their website, but they do carry replacement hammers and knives.

Rebeldad1 · Jul 1, 2020

if you use a brush hog get it wider than your tractor. you can get pretty close to it without the tractor hitting

Rebeldad1 · Jul 1, 2020

Okie Again said:
Called Woodmaxx they could not figure anything for sure but because it is less than a year old they are sending me a new hydraulic cylinder.

did you tell them of your hydraulic fluid being low and foamed up? I am surprised they didn't tell you you have a major fluid problem that should be addressed first.

TheFarmerInAdell · Jul 1, 2020

ptoengageant said:
Hi everyone, I'm new around these parts and am also a new owner of a Kubota LX2610. I'm in the market for a flail mower with hammers for a couple acres of land, mainly to be used for clearing and keeping some brushy overgrowth (think good-sized wild rose and 10-18' tall Russian Olive, along with a smattering of other invasive and unwanted shrubberies) away from our stone walls and keeping a small field mowed. I've done a bit of research and have come up with the following list of potential candidates. I'm trying to keep the price range to the sub-$2500 mark, but if there is a good reason to go with a more expensive option, I'd like to hear it. Also, please feel free to suggest anything that I've missed. I don't have rear remotes and would be happy with a manual offset, so side shift isn't necessary. Thanks!

Del Morino Flipper 158 (62") - $3100 (this is from my local dealer)
Everything Attachment SLE-160 - $3915
WoodMaxx FM-62 (62") - $2,499
Betstco FH-EFG135 (60") - $1625

I would avoid the Betstco, but that's me. For $2500 the WoodMaxx is a good option. SLE-160 is made by Sicma, an Italian company well versed in flail mowers. Del Morino is also an Italian company well versed in flail mowers.

One advantage the Del Morino has for you is local dealer support. If it were my money it would be between the Del Morino and the WoodMaxx. I'd go Del Morino if I could swing the extra $600. If not, then the WoodMaxx is a good 2nd choice. I almost bought a WoodMaxx until I found my Alamo SHD88 on Craigslist. The Local dealer didn't have any flail options.

leonz · Jul 1, 2020

ptoengageant said:
Hi everyone, I'm new around these parts and am also a new owner of a Kubota LX2610. I'm in the market for a flail mower with hammers for a couple acres of land, mainly to be used for clearing and keeping some brushy overgrowth (think good-sized wild rose and 10-18' tall Russian Olive, along with a smattering of other invasive and unwanted shrubberies) away from our stone walls and keeping a small field mowed. I've done a bit of research and have come up with the following list of potential candidates. I'm trying to keep the price range to the sub-$2500 mark, but if there is a good reason to go with a more expensive option, I'd like to hear it. Also, please feel free to suggest anything that I've missed. I don't have rear remotes and would be happy with a manual offset, so side shift isn't necessary. Thanks!

Del Morino Flipper 158 (62") - $3100 (this is from my local dealer)
Everything Attachment SLE-160 - $3915
WoodMaxx FM-62 (62") - $2,499
Betstco FH-EFG135 (60") - $1625

If you don't mind some friendly advice;

NNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't even think about making a purchase yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would rather see you spend the money on the 2 day rental of a Fecon self propelled forestry mulcher that will shred everything and go below ground level with the flail mulcher and eliminate the stumps on the first try and have good cleared land to live with.

The work your suggesting will destroy a non forestry flail mower of any brand with hammers.

The least I would do is obtain a quote for for a dozer to clear the lot as they can run a scarifier on the dozer to break the ground up and worse comes to worse they can bury the debris in a deep hole for you.

ptoengageant · Jul 1, 2020

leonz said:
If you don't mind some friendly advice;

NNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

Duly noted - I will look into it!

Fallon · Jul 1, 2020

leonz said:
If you don't mind some friendly advice;

NNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't even think about making a purchase yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would rather see you spend the money on the 2 day rental of a Fecon self propelled forestry mulcher that will shred everything and go below ground level with the flail mulcher and eliminate the stumps on the first try and have good cleared land to live with.

The work your suggesting will destroy a non forestry flail mower. of any brand with hammers.

The least i would do is obtain a quote for for a dozer to clear the lot as they can run a scarifier on the dozer

Worse comes to worse they can bury the debris in a deep hole for you.

I tend to agree. My $8k 8' Peruzzo & 40hp L4060 will mow Christmas trees. Even then it's no forestry mulcher. The lack of HP is the biggest limit, but I wouldn't go any bigger even if I had more power. I don't mow trees often & they are usually pretty dead & soft or brittle by that point. You need heavy hammers to do much wood & the hammers on a $3k mower are going to be much lighter. Grass knives (duck foot or side slicers) top out at finger sized woody material.

A rotary will tolerate & chop wood a bit better than a flail. But it will be rough on everything & not leave the nice flail finish.