Using an offset flail mower to mow grass

[shooterdon]

I have been considering getting an offset flail mower to cut grass and "bush hog" my food plot/trail/shooting lane. I do not need golf course quality results. I will also use it to mulch up brush piles and leaves

Mechmaxx has this model I am looking at:

65" Standard 3 Point Offset Flail Ditch Bank Mower, 30-60HP, VAM65

Mechamxx-65" Standard 3 Point Offset Flail Ditch Bank Mower，40-50hp for tractor，Model VAM65.The included PTO drive shaft easily connects to your tractor and the belt drive allows for efficient power transfer.It is recommended for 40-50 HP tractors, capable of covering material up to 3in diameter.

mechmaxx.com

My 40 HP tractor is 72" wide with the oversize turf tires. The mower cutting width is 65". I plan to offset the mower about 30" for the first cut and then "straddle" the subsequent cuts to get about 55-60" of effective cutting per swath.

I like the idea of being able to use the offset feature to cut around the pond safely and to cut grass over the septic tank without having to ride over the tank. With the offset, I and also cut under trees. I also need to "bush hog" a strip bewteen my drive and a fence line that the ZT cannot handle. The other plus is doing the job in an air-conditioned cab.

I have a Bad Boy 54" ZT and I can cut my grass in about an hour. I suspect using the flail will take another 20 minutes but I can live with that. If the flail works, I will sell the ZT

What are your thoughts on this approach? Any concerns I have missed.

 

[leonz]

The mower is too wide and heavy for your tractor.

If you are going to do this purchase either the smaller
48 inch Del Morino or 48 inch Maschio orchard and
vineyard shredder.

 

[rgr33]

I know you are a flail expert leonz, but I have been using a 5 ft Rhino, and a 5 foot Mott with two 30 hp tractors for over 20 years with no problem.

A 4 ft mower on a 40 hp tractor seems undersized to me.

 

[RjCorazza]

I checked the specs, and that ditch bank flail is 820 lbs. My 62" ditch bank flail weighs 707 lbs, and it's about all my L4060 (6450 lbs with loaded rears) can handle when fully extended. The actual cutting width is not an issue with my setup.
I would be much more concerned about that weight hanging out there, but I don't know the weight of @shooterdon s tractor.

 

[RayIN]

I checked the specs, and that ditch bank flail is 820 lbs. My 62" ditch bank flail weighs 707 lbs, and it's about all my L4060 (6450 lbs with loaded rears) can handle when fully extended. The actual cutting width is not an issue with my setup.
I would be much more concerned about that weight hanging out there, but I don't know the weight of @shooterdon s tractor.

Good post, and I agree. That weight is hanging on the downhill side of the tractor when mowing around a pond too. His tractor without cab or ballast weighs: 3,869#
His tractor specs: Technical Specifications and Data for LS XR4140

 

[scootr]

I use a 77" offset flail (Bestco HD) with my 52hp MX Kubota. It's sized just right. 841 pounds. Tractor has filled tires with 3" spacers.
My offset is such that the left front tire rides in the (already) cut grass and the mower cuts a full swath about 1.5 ft outside the right rear.
Great for fence line work. The white pvc pipe gives me an easy to view location marker for the end of the mower without straining my neck when riding a fence line.

 

[shooterdon]

I have oversized turfs (44x18 - 20) on the tractor filled with RimGuard plus a cab. I estimate the weight at 5500 lbs.

The 3 PH is rated at 2700 lbs.

I assumed that would handle the 820 lb mower but appreciate any opinions

 

[shooterdon]

I checked the specs, and that ditch bank flail is 820 lbs. My 62" ditch bank flail weighs 707 lbs, and it's about all my L4060 (6450 lbs with loaded rears) can handle when fully extended. The actual cutting width is not an issue with my setup.
I would be much more concerned about that weight hanging out there, but I don't know the weight of @shooterdon s tractor.

Our tractors are about the same weight.

I a very shallow slope near the pond and I can reduce the offset. About the only place I would need the maximum offset is mowing over the septic tank and that area is flat.

 

[Cycledude]

I have been considering getting an offset flail mower to cut grass and "bush hog" my food plot/trail/shooting lane. I do not need golf course quality results. I will also use it to mulch up brush piles and leaves

Mechmaxx has this model I am looking at:

65" Standard 3 Point Offset Flail Ditch Bank Mower, 30-60HP, VAM65

Mechamxx-65" Standard 3 Point Offset Flail Ditch Bank Mower，40-50hp for tractor，Model VAM65.The included PTO drive shaft easily connects to your tractor and the belt drive allows for efficient power transfer.It is recommended for 40-50 HP tractors, capable of covering material up to 3in diameter.

mechmaxx.com

My 40 HP tractor is 72" wide with the oversize turf tires. The mower cutting width is 65". I plan to offset the mower about 30" for the first cut and then "straddle" the subsequent cuts to get about 55-60" of effective cutting per swath.

I like the idea of being able to use the offset feature to cut around the pond safely and to cut grass over the septic tank without having to ride over the tank. With the offset, I and also cut under trees. I also need to "bush hog" a strip bewteen my drive and a fence line that the ZT cannot handle. The other plus is doing the job in an air-conditioned cab.

I have a Bad Boy 54" ZT and I can cut my grass in about an hour. I suspect using the flail will take another 20 minutes but I can live with that. If the flail works, I will sell the ZT

What are your thoughts on this approach? Any concerns I have missed.

Thanks for posting the link to your mower looks like a very nice and capable unit . I just wish it was rated to cut a little bigger diameter stuff. I’m sure my LS4155 would have no trouble handling it.

 

[RayIN]

I have oversized turfs (44x18 - 20) on the tractor filled with RimGuard plus a cab. I estimate the weight at 5500 lbs.

The 3 PH is rated at 2700 lbs.

I assumed that would handle the 820 lb mower but appreciate any opinions

Knowing all the facts helps decision-making, thanks for the information. I think you're good with tractor weight. The turf tires might be a negative around the pond slope.

 

[shooterdon]

MechMaxx told me the maximum cut height is 2”. I want the cut height to be 3”.

Is there a way to accomplish that?

 

[RayIN]

Boy Don, I learned something today; that leaves me out of buying one, I cut my lawn @ 4" and fields @ 8".

 

[Rustyiron]

AFAIK operation of a flail is designed to ride on the ground on the big steel roller, at least that's how mine works. At that point it's weight is only a concern during transport. That weight is also very "close in" in comparison to a rotary mower.
I wouldn't have a concern at all with your tractor.
I have a heavy 8' brush mulcher, at least that's what I think FAE (the manufacturer) calls it with heavy hammers for the cutting and a hydraulic offset. There's nothing on it thinner than 1/4" plate.
It "feels" very much lighter than my 8' dual spindle Bush Hog which I attribute to its distance beyond the rear axle.
My cutting height is changed by removing 2 bolts. One on each side and the big roller hinges down/up on a trailing arm type assembly. I would think that you might be able to get a little higher cut but not without a little fabrication.

 

[Rustyiron]

Not a great picture but I found one on my phone.

Might as well show you the view from this guys place.

I cut it once a year for him and he was very generous paying me to use the flail over my rotary.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I looked seriously at the Mechmaxx and it was the short height max cut that drew me away, for my intended purposes. I loved everything else about it. It was not the offset though, don't forsee me needing it.

 

[scootr]

The Bestco mower will easily leave 4". Simply adjust the tilt to the desired cut height.

 

[scootr]

Not a great picture but I found one on my phone. View attachment 3655808
Might as well show you the view from this guys place.
View attachment 3655809
I cut it once a year for him and he was very generous paying me to use the flail over my rotary.

Beautiful pictures !

 

[shooterdon]

The Bestco mower will easily leave 4". Simply adjust the tilt to the desired cut height.

That seems reasonable. Lengthen the top link to pivot the mower back.

 

[Rustyiron]

The Bestco mower will easily leave 4". Simply adjust the tilt to the desired cut height.

I forgot about that
I only use it once a year on that place. I built a hydraulic top link year's ago and it's very handy with the flail.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

The Betsco 68" can cut to a 6" height. There is an adjustment on the roller.