Any experience with WoodMaxx Flail Mowers?

[troverman]

I'm in the market for a new flail mower and don't want to pay top dollar for an Alamo or Vrismo. I've had the bottom-end Titan flail mowers, and they simply don't hold up. I can list all the weaknesses.

So I'm strongly considering buying a WoodMax FM-78 mower to go behind my Kubota L4060 HSTC. I realize I'm on the bottom end of PTO horsepower for that size mower, but the rep from WoodMaxx told me using the side slicer knives would require less HP than the hammers and he thought it would be fine for mowing my application of dense field grass, but no trees or brush.

According to the rep, these mowers are designed in the USA and made in China. The Titan mowers are simply a 100% Chinese designed and made mower rebadged as a Titan and sold here. The Titan mowers have all kinds of problems, from a terrible belt tensioner system, hard to find belts, terribly-placed grease fittings, top-link mounts that inevitably shear off, and a weak housing that actually bends. They also use hammers which are flat...and eventually hold impacted grass and dirt, causing vibration and poor cut quality. The roller is too small and the scraper aids only in assisting clogging out the rear. I've had the entire roller fall off. Keep in mind I've owned three 72" Titans and all have had similar failures. I still have my last one, with reinforced welded plates added to the uprights for the top link, new belts I eventually got to fit after several different lengths, scraper bar removed, and just given up on the roller to actually roll. In fairness to the Titan, I've never had a problem with the gearbox or main drum. I did have one of the mounting stations break off on a rock impact but I was able to re-weld it. That could happen to any brand, I guess.

In studying the WoodMaxx flail, there appear to be several design advantages. One is a seemingly much stronger upright system for the top link mount. There are no folds in the metal like there are on the Titan. Furthermore, I can see the grease fitting locations are better. WM claims name-brand NSK bearings. There are some lifting points that are labeled. There is a standard slip clutch on the driveshaft. There is a "trash door" on the back for easier cleaning access as well as the possibility of leaving it open for cutting in dense areas (with no one around).

The drum and mounting stations seem to be the same size and type as the Titan, although Y knives are offered (which I would take). The W-M hammers are duck-foot wedge style and probably wouldn't catch impacted debris as much. The roller on the back also seems to be too small, but the trash door being open might solve that problem.

I noticed there is a normal belt tensioner as well, with standard Gates belts.

Thoughts?

 

[troverman]

So no experience, I guess?

Well, I bought one...we'll see how it is when it arrives, and in a couple of months when I mow with it.

 

[Citydude]

You are now the official TBN reviewer of the Woodmaxx flail mower

 

[ericm979]

There's at least a couple people who have posted about theirs in the huge flail mower thread.

Check that the size you want still comes with the rear door- some people have reported getting a "new" version that doesn't. I'd double check the slip clutch too.

 

[troverman]

Thanks. I am subscribed to the huge thread, but its almost too general to be useful with many people commenting on many different brands, problems, etc.

They are advertising the door for this model and the slip clutch. I'd be on the phone right away if it didn't have these features.

Most importantly for me in a flail mower is durability...ability to go over rough terrain, hit a few rocks here and there, and hold up. My old Vrismo takes a beating year after year and only occasionally breaks a knife.

 

[ericm979]

Someone I know locally has a Woodmaxx with side slicers and he's really happy with it (other than not being effective mowing in reverse but that's not unique to woodmaxx).

You can use the "search thread" function to look for "woodmaxx" in that thread.

What about the vrismo isn't cutting it (haha) for you?

 

[the old grind]

When you say 'rough terrain' I'm wondering if you ordered with knives or hammers. I chose the latter and like the cut where the finished look matters.

I'm sure you'll appreciate how well your Grand handles the size/width you ordered while on the 3PH. A flail is so much easier to operate o'all than a rotary, and much easier to maneuver. I see no power shortage there, and my gph is less with the flail than it was with the rotary.

I might back down to shore in a few spots to cut an escape for visiting dogs. They find their way in anywhere, but can't always find a way back to shore through the cattails and profuse poplars and willows that need grubbed/grappled continually.

If you're getting w/hammers, congrats on your new blackberry, honeysuckle, olive and buckthorn leveler.

 

[troverman]

...What about the vrismo isn't cutting it (haha) for you?

It's size. It's only a 48" cut. Great mower otherwise, I used it on both my B series and small L series. I'm keeping it for backup. It has an awesome large rear roller, a great tensioner system for the belt, well protected grease fittings, a banded-style belt, heavy construction, super easy to change flails with the rod-loop-triangle system, and better resistance to breaking flails against rocks due to this mount system. It also has a super easy to access covered belt compartment.

When you say 'rough terrain' I'm wondering if you ordered with knives or hammers. I chose the latter and like the cut where the finished look matters.

I'm sure you'll appreciate how well your Grand handles the size/width you ordered while on the 3PH. A flail is so much easier to operate o'all than a rotary, and much easier to maneuver. I see no power shortage there, and my gph is less with the flail than it was with the rotary.

I might back down to shore in a few spots to cut an escape for visiting dogs. They find their way in anywhere, but can't always find a way back to shore through the cattails and profuse poplars and willows that need grubbed/grappled continually.

If you're getting w/hammers, congrats on your new blackberry, honeysuckle, olive and buckthorn leveler.

I'm buying the Y-knives. All I'm cutting is field grass. By rough terrain, I mean when driving the tractor over potentially rough terrain...ditches, uneven ground...with the mower raised on the hitch while transporting to the area of the field to be cut. Whenever the Titan mower 'bounced' on the hitch while raised apparently stressed the weak upright top link mount too much. My Titan has hammers and they do leave a nice cut on grass...looks very finished. I selected the knives because they weigh a little less than the hammers do, which means you need a little less horsepower to turn them. This might help in the heavy grass, or it might help me go a little faster. I'll monitor the GPH display on the tractor and see if this mower is more efficient, but it also has a 2" wider cut. I think Y-knives are less susceptible to rock damage as well.

Can't wait to get it, I'll post some pics. I need to move the rear wheels of my Grand out to their widest position and determine if I need spacers or not.

 

[Lee Stevens]

I bought one last August. 78H...has hydro offset. The thing is a beast. Very heavy. I run it on a Mahindra 2545 (shuttle) 45 hp...39.5 pto. Went thru 4-5 feet of very thick grass knotted up with a viney broadleaf. Used M1 and it walked thru it. Hit some rebar and twisted it like a pretzel. (have hammers) I'll try to post some picks tomorrow. I had a zert fall out for some reason. Called them and they had it to me in two days. Good service. That's my 2 cents anyway.

It has the back door which is very heavy. The hammers have a little different shape to prevent clogging. Not sure how you could clog it....that baby is hauling butt back there. I did 10-11 acres and hedgerow brush. Belt tension ..I like. Slip clutch.

 

[doneill127]

Here’s a review of the 54. Still very happy with it and have yet to bog it down. Believe the 54 is the only one without the door.
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/397014-woodmaxx-fm54-flail-mower-review.html