Rebeldad1
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2009
- Messages
- 1,550
- Location
- Hughett Bend Washington
- Tractor
- Kioti Tractor, John Deere Mower,New Holland Mini Excavator
Choosing the right mower for the size of the mini-x
Since there is little to no information here on mini-x flail mowers I thought I would add some information. My last post on help locating one came up flat.
My excavator weighs in at a little over 6000lbs with the extended arm and added counterweight.
Most flail mowers were either too heavy, require higher gpm flow rates, only available for top 3 mounts, very costly and may not work. After many emails, downloads, searches and phone calls I narrowed it down to a LIPA TLBE-50 flail mower.
The mower is quality made from Italy. Base model came in under 400 pounds. What really impressed me was the quality build in safety protection for the operator and everyone around.
The mower is powder coated and built stout. The flail blades are as big as my hands!
The purchase process.
I contacted Needham Ag Technologies in Kentucky and talked directly with the owner Phil Needham. A very informed guy to talk with, answered all my questions plus important questions I didn't even know to ask. I needed a mount that fit my mini-x quick connect, they had a local machine shop make one up.The gpm flow rate is critical for the wellness of the mower as well as the mini-x. They installed a flow control valve and showed me how to match the mower needs to the mini-x. I needed hoses made to fit and since I am nowhere near a hydraulic shop their shop made them for me. Spiral wrapped hoses with quick connect ends. This allows me to run off the hydraulics from the thumb. Also ordered an oscillating saddle that goes between the mower and the mini-x to allow flexible up and down protection/movement of the mower.
As soon as the adapter mount was made it was shipped. Shipping was fast and reasonably priced. They kept in touch with me right up till I was operating the mower. In the big picture I am a small fish compared to what they sell and service but was treated like I was their only customer.
Very impressed with the service!
Hitch and go!
While waiting for the mower to be shipped I built a removable steel front window frame with a piece of Polycarbonate. This is a safety must have.
Out of the crate the mower is ready to go. Everything is fully assembled. I had to adjust the correct hydraulic gpm flow and they provided a video on how easy it was to do. Even a couple hints went with it. At the finished weight (about 475lbs) on level ground I can reach out and rotate a full circle. This is great but living on a mountain side in places the road is 15+ degrees. Also adding working up the bank and down over the side. It's been a real learning curve but in all the mower is a great tool for us to have. We can clean the banks and overgrowth coming up the sides. Also perfect for cleaning all the overgrowth between and around the trees. The oscillating mount gets a workout. It痴 unavoidable but we hit gravel and rocks hidden in the brush. So far never once has anything hit the windshield. That痴 the built-in protection of the mower I was looking for. Another plus is it runs really smooth and quiet.
All in All
I have no regrets. The mower was a great buy and will get much needed use. It should with care last a long time. I have extra belts and blades. After using it hitting some rocks the blades hardly took a hit!
Earlier I asked about extra buckets available for mini-ex痴 and not much of a reply either. I found an excellent contact and had 3 buckets made. The excavator came with a 2 foot digging bucket. I added a 1 foot digging bucket, a 3 clean-out bucket and my best tool A 4 rake. The little guy is ready to work.
Conclusion
Make sure the mower fits the weight of your excavator. If it痴 too heavy you won't get much use out of it. My backup was to remove my bucket quick attach and thumb assembly which would lessen the weight by about 250lbs. Also the oscillator could come off to save weight as well.
Another important factor is hydraulic flow. If you are unsure, find someone who is very knowledgeable. It痴 as important as the mower itself.
pics to follow.
Since there is little to no information here on mini-x flail mowers I thought I would add some information. My last post on help locating one came up flat.
My excavator weighs in at a little over 6000lbs with the extended arm and added counterweight.
Most flail mowers were either too heavy, require higher gpm flow rates, only available for top 3 mounts, very costly and may not work. After many emails, downloads, searches and phone calls I narrowed it down to a LIPA TLBE-50 flail mower.
The mower is quality made from Italy. Base model came in under 400 pounds. What really impressed me was the quality build in safety protection for the operator and everyone around.
The mower is powder coated and built stout. The flail blades are as big as my hands!
The purchase process.
I contacted Needham Ag Technologies in Kentucky and talked directly with the owner Phil Needham. A very informed guy to talk with, answered all my questions plus important questions I didn't even know to ask. I needed a mount that fit my mini-x quick connect, they had a local machine shop make one up.The gpm flow rate is critical for the wellness of the mower as well as the mini-x. They installed a flow control valve and showed me how to match the mower needs to the mini-x. I needed hoses made to fit and since I am nowhere near a hydraulic shop their shop made them for me. Spiral wrapped hoses with quick connect ends. This allows me to run off the hydraulics from the thumb. Also ordered an oscillating saddle that goes between the mower and the mini-x to allow flexible up and down protection/movement of the mower.
As soon as the adapter mount was made it was shipped. Shipping was fast and reasonably priced. They kept in touch with me right up till I was operating the mower. In the big picture I am a small fish compared to what they sell and service but was treated like I was their only customer.
Very impressed with the service!
Hitch and go!
While waiting for the mower to be shipped I built a removable steel front window frame with a piece of Polycarbonate. This is a safety must have.
Out of the crate the mower is ready to go. Everything is fully assembled. I had to adjust the correct hydraulic gpm flow and they provided a video on how easy it was to do. Even a couple hints went with it. At the finished weight (about 475lbs) on level ground I can reach out and rotate a full circle. This is great but living on a mountain side in places the road is 15+ degrees. Also adding working up the bank and down over the side. It's been a real learning curve but in all the mower is a great tool for us to have. We can clean the banks and overgrowth coming up the sides. Also perfect for cleaning all the overgrowth between and around the trees. The oscillating mount gets a workout. It痴 unavoidable but we hit gravel and rocks hidden in the brush. So far never once has anything hit the windshield. That痴 the built-in protection of the mower I was looking for. Another plus is it runs really smooth and quiet.
All in All
I have no regrets. The mower was a great buy and will get much needed use. It should with care last a long time. I have extra belts and blades. After using it hitting some rocks the blades hardly took a hit!
Earlier I asked about extra buckets available for mini-ex痴 and not much of a reply either. I found an excellent contact and had 3 buckets made. The excavator came with a 2 foot digging bucket. I added a 1 foot digging bucket, a 3 clean-out bucket and my best tool A 4 rake. The little guy is ready to work.
Conclusion
Make sure the mower fits the weight of your excavator. If it痴 too heavy you won't get much use out of it. My backup was to remove my bucket quick attach and thumb assembly which would lessen the weight by about 250lbs. Also the oscillator could come off to save weight as well.
Another important factor is hydraulic flow. If you are unsure, find someone who is very knowledgeable. It痴 as important as the mower itself.
pics to follow.
New toy on my wish list.:drink: