Cahaba Valley Farm
Veteran Member
That is really surprising! Befco is one of the best brands in the business. I am seriously considering buying one. I would like to know what caused this.
Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers
- Thread starter TNhobbyfarmer
- Start date
- Views: 3227189
John0829
Veteran Member
Well said
Number15
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2021
- Messages
- 358
- Location
- Rhea County TN
- Tractor
- AC 7600 TTR, Branson 5520CH, Grasshopper 928D2
I wouldn't hold this against befco. This flail is built like a tank. ( An Abrams not a t72
)I think this is either one of the belts failed and took out the others, or the dealership over tightened them
Skagit
Silver Member
Banded (multi rib) AG belts will put an end to those kind of problems and they last a lot longer. I switched a 12 ft Taarup mower conditioner and a 6ft New Holland flail over to banded belts a couple years ago, both went from destroying 3 or 4 sets of belts a season to lasting 2+ years.
Cahaba Valley Farm
Veteran Member
Please keep us informed as to what you determine was the cause and fix for it.I wouldn't hold this against befco. This flail is built like a tank. ( An Abrams not a t72
I think this is either one of the belts failed and took out the others, or the dealership over tightened them
Craig_GA
New member
I have been interested in a flail mower for about a year and have been going through a LOT of posts. There is a lot of great info here... 
Now I'm looking for some help before buying. Sorry for the length of the post, just trying to provide a good overview...
We have 12 acres, mostly wooded and a number of fallen trees to clean up. I want to use the flail mower to clean up what is left, small branches, small saplings and some brush. (I've been collecting all of the bigger rocks and getting them out of the way.) Also to maintain these areas once things are cleaned up.
Originally I wanted a 60" mower, however the paths in my wife's garden (it's a big garden) between the 15 raised beds are only 65"-66" wide and even though my tractor (Kioti CK5310) will just fit down the aisle the overall width of a 60" mower is too wide. ( I have an old Ingersoll 4018 with a 60" deck that takes care of the grassy areas, but that is also too wide for the garden.) I also thought that having a flail mower narrower than the tractor would make it easier to maneuver in the woods. I also like the idea of a 53" cut rather than a 48". The flail will also be great for the times when the grass gets too tall in the open areas for the Ingersoll to manage. During the spring and summer in Georgia, the grass grows VERY fast.
Here are a couple that look promising:
Betstco FH-FMC135 53" The "Commercial" level unit 53" wide. ( Side shift is +$500 )
Nova MFZ135 53" 53" unit with side shift
If I do not get a side-shift model, will I regret that later? (I wanted to stay somewhere in the $2700-$2800 area.)
With the tight woods, uneven ground and some elevation to deal with, I want a unit that is as heavy duty as possible. While I have collected a lot of rocks, the flail might find one or 2 that I missed... Also, the tractor has ~30 hp at the PTO, so 60" or less should not be a problem.
From comments and issues that I have read, it seems that no matter what I buy, putting Loctite on most of the fasteners might be worth the time up front.
The availability of spare parts and a reputable company is also important.
I am open to other options/suggestions. Thank you for taking a look.
Craig
Now I'm looking for some help before buying. Sorry for the length of the post, just trying to provide a good overview...
We have 12 acres, mostly wooded and a number of fallen trees to clean up. I want to use the flail mower to clean up what is left, small branches, small saplings and some brush. (I've been collecting all of the bigger rocks and getting them out of the way.) Also to maintain these areas once things are cleaned up.
Originally I wanted a 60" mower, however the paths in my wife's garden (it's a big garden) between the 15 raised beds are only 65"-66" wide and even though my tractor (Kioti CK5310) will just fit down the aisle the overall width of a 60" mower is too wide. ( I have an old Ingersoll 4018 with a 60" deck that takes care of the grassy areas, but that is also too wide for the garden.) I also thought that having a flail mower narrower than the tractor would make it easier to maneuver in the woods. I also like the idea of a 53" cut rather than a 48". The flail will also be great for the times when the grass gets too tall in the open areas for the Ingersoll to manage. During the spring and summer in Georgia, the grass grows VERY fast.
Here are a couple that look promising:
Betstco FH-FMC135 53" The "Commercial" level unit 53" wide. ( Side shift is +$500 )
Nova MFZ135 53" 53" unit with side shift
If I do not get a side-shift model, will I regret that later? (I wanted to stay somewhere in the $2700-$2800 area.)
With the tight woods, uneven ground and some elevation to deal with, I want a unit that is as heavy duty as possible. While I have collected a lot of rocks, the flail might find one or 2 that I missed... Also, the tractor has ~30 hp at the PTO, so 60" or less should not be a problem.
From comments and issues that I have read, it seems that no matter what I buy, putting Loctite on most of the fasteners might be worth the time up front.
The availability of spare parts and a reputable company is also important.
I am open to other options/suggestions. Thank you for taking a look.
Craig
cholland
Silver Member
Hey Craig,
I run a Betstco FH-EFG-175 with my CK3510. Thats the 68" model, it more like 75" total. No problem with PTO hp. It sits somewhat offset with the left side being right about the tire width and the right side hanging out 8-10 inches. It can be offset even more by shifting the top link bracing over to another set of mounting holes. I would suggest getting something at least as wide as the tires, but that might not work for you and the raised beds. I haven't found I would need the side shift, but that is just my applications.
It is a little wide in the woods and close quarters, but I use mine more for maintaining the openings, not clearing them. Thats what the grapple and landscape rake are for. It does take out up to 2" size brush no problem. I haven't tried anything larger.
I have hit some rocks, and it doesn't like them. Will break the hammers pretty quick. But it is a well built mower. I haven't bent or damaged anything besides hammers. Getting parts from Betstco has been pretty easy once they answer the phone.
One thing with the Betstco is the rear panel is welded on, so no way to remove for maintenance. Makes it more difficult to replace hammers, etc. Another manufacturer to consider is WoodMaxx. You can remove the rear panel on theirs.
I run a Betstco FH-EFG-175 with my CK3510. Thats the 68" model, it more like 75" total. No problem with PTO hp. It sits somewhat offset with the left side being right about the tire width and the right side hanging out 8-10 inches. It can be offset even more by shifting the top link bracing over to another set of mounting holes. I would suggest getting something at least as wide as the tires, but that might not work for you and the raised beds. I haven't found I would need the side shift, but that is just my applications.
It is a little wide in the woods and close quarters, but I use mine more for maintaining the openings, not clearing them. Thats what the grapple and landscape rake are for. It does take out up to 2" size brush no problem. I haven't tried anything larger.
I have hit some rocks, and it doesn't like them. Will break the hammers pretty quick. But it is a well built mower. I haven't bent or damaged anything besides hammers. Getting parts from Betstco has been pretty easy once they answer the phone.
One thing with the Betstco is the rear panel is welded on, so no way to remove for maintenance. Makes it more difficult to replace hammers, etc. Another manufacturer to consider is WoodMaxx. You can remove the rear panel on theirs.
cbg8670
Silver Member
Hey Craig
Look at titan implements. I run the fl135 and it has been good and reliable. Think it was Italian made
www.titanimplement.com
Look at titan implements. I run the fl135 and it has been good and reliable. Think it was Italian made
FL Series Mower | Titan Implement, LLC
www.titanimplement.com
JWR
Elite Member
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2011
- Messages
- 3,963
- Location
- So MD / WV
- Tractor
- MF 2660 LP, 3 Kubota B2150, Kubota BX2200, MH Pacer, Gravely 5660, etc.
Just a sprinkling of comment on parts of your selection process: 1) The cast metal hammer type you are looking at will stand 1" to 2" scattered not clumped brush and light limbs here and there. The"Y" cutters you apparently already know will NOT stand that. I can tell you first hand that with pretty "heavy duty" Y type knives (described that way by the industry) they are very vulnerable to unseen small limbs and hidden pieces of wood. You spend more time replacing knives than makes sense. 2) You will be pleasantly surprised in terms of maneuverability. The flail mowers hug close enough the rear of your tractor (compared to a bush hog of the same cutting width) that they are VERY maneuverable. 3) In your shoes I would get one as wide as your rear tire spacing and you won't be hurting maneuverability. 4) Cleaning up after fallen tree removal is not the forte of flail cutter in my opinion. I think an HD bush his the better tool for that unless you have been pretty meticulous with your grapple ahead of time. Good luck with it. Both flails you are looking at look good to me.I have been interested in a flail mower for about a year and have been going through a LOT of posts. There is a lot of great info here...
Now I'm looking for some help before buying. Sorry for the length of the post, just trying to provide a good overview...
...
We have 12 acres, mostly wooded and a number of fallen trees to clean up. I want to use the flail mower to clean up what is left, small branches, small saplings and some brush.
....
I also thought that having a flail mower narrower than the tractor would make it easier to maneuver in the woods. I also like the idea of a 53" cut rather than a 48". The flail will also be great for the times when the grass gets too tall in the open areas for the Ingersoll to manage. During the spring and summer in Georgia, the grass grows VERY fast.
...
With the tight woods, uneven ground and some elevation to deal with,
Craig
leonz
Super Member
I have been interested in a flail mower for about a year and have been going through a LOT of posts. There is a lot of great info here...
Now I'm looking for some help before buying. Sorry for the length of the post, just trying to provide a good overview...
We have 12 acres, mostly wooded and a number of fallen trees to clean up. I want to use the flail mower to clean up what is left, small branches, small saplings and some brush. (I've been collecting all of the bigger rocks and getting them out of the way.) Also to maintain these areas once things are cleaned up.
View attachment 744743
View attachment 744746
Originally I wanted a 60" mower, however the paths in my wife's garden (it's a big garden) between the 15 raised beds are only 65"-66" wide and even though my tractor (Kioti CK5310) will just fit down the aisle the overall width of a 60" mower is too wide. ( I have an old Ingersoll 4018 with a 60" deck that takes care of the grassy areas, but that is also too wide for the garden.) I also thought that having a flail mower narrower than the tractor would make it easier to maneuver in the woods. I also like the idea of a 53" cut rather than a 48". The flail will also be great for the times when the grass gets too tall in the open areas for the Ingersoll to manage. During the spring and summer in Georgia, the grass grows VERY fast.
Here are a couple that look promising:
Betstco FH-FMC135 53" The "Commercial" level unit 53" wide. ( Side shift is +$500 )
Nova MFZ135 53" 53" unit with side shift
If I do not get a side-shift model, will I regret that later? (I wanted to stay somewhere in the $2700-$2800 area.)
With the tight woods, uneven ground and some elevation to deal with, I want a unit that is as heavy duty as possible. While I have collected a lot of rocks, the flail might find one or 2 that I missed... Also, the tractor has ~30 hp at the PTO, so 60" or less should not be a problem.
From comments and issues that I have read, it seems that no matter what I buy, putting Loctite on most of the fasteners might be worth the time up front.
The availability of spare parts and a reputable company is also important.
I am open to other options/suggestions. Thank you for taking a look.
Craig
Rent a FECON forestry mulcher for a couple of days to clear the saplings
and dead wood out and you will have much less work.
