Flail Mower Flail mower vs. rotary? (pros & cons)

[Piston]

The Femcos are very small self propelled diesel powered track drive units with full FOPS/ROPS cages.
I thought I mentioned they were self propelled?
Its a one and done approach and you will clear it all off.

Leon,
I googled FEMCO tracked mulcher a and didn't come up with anything. Do you have a link?

 

[leonz]

Leon,
I googled FEMCO tracked mulcher and didn't come up with anything. Do you have a link?

==========================================================================
Sorry about that Piston,

it should be Fecon - Tough Forestry Equipment Made in the USA


Again please accept my apology for my mistake. They have an dealer network in most of the northeast and upper midwest in the heavy timber county.

 

[IslandTractor]

============================Fecon - Tough Forestry Equipment Made in the USA .

Hey, great deal--only a quarter of a million bucks for a used one. I think their going to steal business from the Kubota BX market!

 

[Piston]

Ahhh, okay no worries. I am familiar with Fecon, my neighbor has one and has done me some favors with it. Yes definitely quite the machine and way out of my homeowner price range!

I have seen some really cool machines on YouTube that I believe aren't available in the US. They are similar to Pasquali tractors but running fairly large mulches in the front. Too bad we don't have bidirectional tractors over here in the 80-90hp range

I've often thought about a Trackless, but don't know the power they put out at the front PTO

 

[Thomabear]

Another option for flail mower parts is "Hard Hitter". I've noticed they provide knives matching the OEM thickness and hardness verses Flailmaster which uses thinner material which doesn't seem to last as long. I can't confirm this for Y knives but the difference is obvious for scoop knives. I've also found them to be priced lower.

 

[IslandTractor]

Another option for flail mower parts is "Hard Hitter". I've noticed they provide knives matching the OEM thickness and hardness verses Flailmaster which uses thinner material which doesn't seem to last as long. I can't confirm this for Y knives but the difference is obvious for scoop knives. I've also found them to be priced lower.

Not sure which mower you are talking about. For the Caroni 1900 B blade replacements, the closest Flsilmaster blades are actually same size but a little heavier.

 

[Thomabear]

Not sure which mower you are talking about. For the Caroni 1900 B blade replacements, the closest Flsilmaster blades are actually same size but a little heavier.

The one I'm referring to is PN. GE708P. They fit several MFGs and are thicker/heavier than the Flailmaster part.

Search Results : Hard Hitter, Wear Parts With Muscle

 

[IslandTractor]

The one I'm referring to is PN. GE708P. They fit several MFGs and are thicker/heavier than the Flailmaster part. Search Results : Hard Hitter, Wear Parts With Muscle

That's a scoop knife. Different than the paired B knives used on the Caroni stock.

 

[Thomabear]

That's a scoop knife. Different than the paired B knives used on the Caroni stock.

I've been running Flail Mowers for over 30 years so I understand what a scoop knife is and it was noted in my 1st reply that I was refering to such....
All I'm saying is that there are options other than Flailmaster for replacement parts. Just sharing information that may be useful to members, obviously other than yourself. Whether or not thicker materials apply to all parts this manufacturer makes remains to be seen. For my use and others who run (scoop knives) the Hardhitter part is far superior and less expensive than Flailmaster. BTW, Not all Caroni units use Y knives and not all members here use Caroni mowers... This is just a FYI for anyone who may benefit from the information.

 

[IslandTractor]

I've been running Flail Mowers for over 30 years so I understand what a scoop knife is and it was noted in my 1st reply that I was refering to such.... All I'm saying is that there are options other than Flailmaster for replacement parts. Just sharing information that may be useful to members, obviously other than yourself. Whether or not thicker materials apply to all parts this manufacturer makes remains to be seen. For my use and others who run (scoop knives) the Hardhitter part is far superior and less expensive than Flailmaster. BTW, Not all Caroni units use Y knives and not all members here use Caroni mowers... This is just a FYI for anyone who may benefit from the information. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=474709"/>

Understood (finally). This thread has been all over the place and we were talking about Caroni replacements earlier.

 

[Thomabear]

Understood (finally). This thread has been all over the place and we were talking about Caroni replacements earlier.

I agree, and my apology if I added to the confusion... I suppose I should have shared this in the other Flail Mower thread. Just wanted to let everyone know there are other options than Flailmaster if they are are having difficulty finding what they need. Not sure if this would be helpful but it's just another place to look. For my personal situation I'm getting thicker knives for a better price.

 

[HEC]

I am having a very hard time to decide on another rotary cutter or flail mower . I have 35 acres or so of pretty heavy hay I just mow down once a year and a couple acres I keep mowed all summer . Some of the ground is a little rough due to tire tracks in wet areas etc. . If I buy a flail mower it will be from Woodmax , either the fm78 or fm88 . I have enough pto hp for the fm88 but you only get 5 inches more cut . The fm 88 must be one rugged unit if the print is correct as it weighs 1243lbs. compared to 710 lbs. for the fm78 . I would like a flail mower but just a little hesitant as I have always used the rotary cutter in the past . I have read all the different posts several times . Any one have the fm88 or suggestions ?

 

[leonz]

Hello HEC,

If your mow only once per year a compact implement boom mounted disc mower(small mules/farms) would be a better option as each disc has a stump jumper and it will ride on the ground. Short of buying a used towed behind windrower and setting the windrow chute guides wide and mowing the windrow when its brittle I do not see many other options.


It all comes down to your wallet and how often you mow.