Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[KenB2920]

KenB2920, why blow off the clippings before making a second lower pass with the flail? The flail will just mulch those clippings if you simply mow over them again. Green fertilizer.

I did this mainly for a couple reasons .... I wanted to see what I was working with and what was bent down with the roller or simply not cut, the customer wanted most clipping removed for purpose of fire (he didn't ask me to remove them, I just figured this would be a perfect spot to test it out), and then I figured after my last cut there would still be plenty of clipping for fertilizer. With the morning dew that were still getting here and a couple days of new growth that area Is going to look fabulous for his gathering.

 

[IslandTractor]

Well, my second set of belts (Gates Kevlar B43 singlesx3) just died after five years. They lasted about three times as long as the Caroni supplied non Gates originals. No complaints. Just ordered three more off Amazon.

In the meantime I mounted a set of Pix Kevlar belts I got a couple years ago from someone who sold their tractor and mower. Made in India. Not sure yet if I will bother switching to the Gates belts when they arrive and keep the Pix as spares or just see how the Pix do. Takes about half an hour to install a new set and the Pix belts worked fine yesterday so I'll probably just leave them on.

 

[hunt4570]

Well, my second set of belts (Gates Kevlar B43 singlesx3) just died after five years. They lasted about three times as long as the Caroni supplied non Gates originals. No complaints. Just ordered three more off Amazon.

In the meantime I mounted a set of Pix Kevlar belts I got a couple years ago from someone who sold their tractor and mower. Made in India. Not sure yet if I will bother switching to the Gates belts when they arrive and keep the Pix as spares or just see how the Pix do. Takes about half an hour to install a new set and the Pix belts worked fine yesterday so I'll probably just leave them on.

Thanks for the part # Island, I'll be going to amazon today to order a set for spares.

 

[Code54]

I did this mainly for a couple reasons .... I wanted to see what I was working with and what was bent down with the roller or simply not cut, the customer wanted most clipping removed for purpose of fire (he didn't ask me to remove them, I just figured this would be a perfect spot to test it out), and then I figured after my last cut there would still be plenty of clipping for fertilizer. With the morning dew that were still getting here and a couple days of new growth that area Is going to look fabulous for his gathering.

That looks pretty darn good. I noticed you are using a Motts and was wondering what you think of it. Been looking at Motts/Alamo flails and wanted some opinions on their overall ability and quality. Seems you can find some good deals on older ones from time to time. What size mower are you pulling with your Kubota?
Thanks

 

[Code54]

I did this mainly for a couple reasons .... I wanted to see what I was working with and what was bent down with the roller or simply not cut, the customer wanted most clipping removed for purpose of fire (he didn't ask me to remove them, I just figured this would be a perfect spot to test it out), and then I figured after my last cut there would still be plenty of clipping for fertilizer. With the morning dew that were still getting here and a couple days of new growth that area Is going to look fabulous for his gathering.

That looks pretty darn good. I noticed you are using a Motts and was wondering what you think of it. Been looking at Motts/Alamo flails and wanted some opinions on their overall ability and quality. Seems you can find some good deals on older ones from time to time. What size mower are you pulling with your Kubota?
Thanks

 

[KenB2920]

That looks pretty darn good. I noticed you are using a Motts and was wondering what you think of it. Been looking at Motts/Alamo flails and wanted some opinions on their overall ability and quality. Seems you can find some good deals on older ones from time to time. What size mower are you pulling with your Kubota? Thanks

Yes, I'm not sure the model but it is a mott. I purchased a package deal with a motts and ford.

I replaced the knives on the ford and it does to a good job cutting short. The ford has 33 knives.

Now the mott is smaller and seems daintier but in all reality it cuts great! All the blades are dull and it still does an amazing job.

Both are 6' and I run them on my L3540. I just bought a L5240 but it hasn't arrived yet. I assume when I find a deal I will step up to a larger size. As for being a beginner with the flail mowers I am definitely a convert from the brush hog. They do a much much better job but you do go much slower.

My mott seems old and rusted but I tell yA, knock on wood it's great!

The ford I wish had a idler pully spring but it's a fixed tension pully. I managed to burn it's belt up and have yet to replace it.

 

[nova3930]

If anyone is looking for a flail mower I'm looking to get rid of mine since I'm getting rid of the tractor. Its a Ford 917 that looks rough but cuts good. All new blades and hardware last season and some extras to go with. . I'm located in N AL. Message me for more details.

 

[Kodiak45]

I finally got me a flail. I found a 6 foot John Deere that needs new bearings, at least I assume that's what the deal is. The shaft and the roller won't turn. I got it for 200, can't wait to get it up and running. Looking forward to joining the crowd

 

[esbwn]

Just incase anyone was like me in wondering if a 60" flail would cut good with around 23 pto hp *I ride a Mahindra 2816 geared with a Rhino RF60 flail behind* it is more than enough. We have had more rain here in the great state of Oklahoma already this yr than we usually get in a full yr so the field I use it on was about 2'-3.5' tall and a mix of bermuda/johnson grass . It mulched it up just fine running in 3 gear/medium range at about 3" high. Which medium 3rd is PLENTY fast!! I think I could've gotten away with a 72" flail but didnt want to push my luck too fast. In the morning I'm tackling some 5-6' tall johnson grass just to see how it cuts! Super glad to have it!

 

[hunt4570]

Just incase anyone was like me in wondering if a 60" flail would cut good with around 23 pto hp *I ride a Mahindra 2816 geared with a Rhino RF60 flail behind* it is more than enough. We have had more rain here in the great state of Oklahoma already this yr than we usually get in a full yr so the field I use it on was about 2'-3.5' tall and a mix of bermuda/johnson grass . It mulched it up just fine running in 3 gear/medium range at about 3" high. Which medium 3rd is PLENTY fast!! I think I could've gotten away with a 72" flail but didnt want to push my luck too fast. �� In the morning I'm tackling some 5-6' tall johnson grass just to see how it cuts! Super glad to have it!

Before and after pics would be nice:thumbsup:

 

[esbwn]

Before!

 

[esbwn]

After!

 

[hunt4570]

Outstanding, is that one pass?

 

[esbwn]

Yep. I was in 1st gear medium range. It didnt bog down a bit but I havent bushhoged there too much and was afraid of finding a hidden surprise.

 

[rondryrd]

Question for you flail mower owners.
I have 2 ac of tall grass / weeds that has a some rocks in it. Can I just raise the 3 pt hitch about 8 in off the ground to avoid the rocks and still cut the grass / weeds with a flail mower ?

 

[Parkanzky]

Question for you flail mower owners.
I have 2 ac of tall grass / weeds that has a some rocks in it. Can I just raise the 3 pt hitch about 8 in off the ground to avoid the rocks and still cut the grass / weeds with a flail mower ?

I raise mine to mow over rocks/stumps/logs. But if you keep it raised all the time it's not going to do a good job of following the contours of the ground and you'll mow very high when the front tires drop into a valley or much lower (and possibly hit one of those rocks) when the front tires climb a bit of a hill.

 

[GManBart]

Question for you flail mower owners.
I have 2 ac of tall grass / weeds that has a some rocks in it. Can I just raise the 3 pt hitch about 8 in off the ground to avoid the rocks and still cut the grass / weeds with a flail mower ?

Sure, it will cut grass and weeds like that just fine. It won't leave a polished look, but it's probably better than hitting the rocks.

 

[KenB2920]

I raise mine to mow over rocks/stumps/logs. But if you keep it raised all the time it's not going to do a good job of following the contours of the ground and you'll mow very high when the front tires drop into a valley or much lower (and possibly hit one of those rocks) when the front tires climb a bit of a hill.

X2. Exactly

 

[KenB2920]

I did this field yesterday. I was a little disappointed with the efficiency. I get my new/used tractor this week and will be able to tell if HP will make a difference at all or not. This for me at least will be the perfect control / variable as I will be using the exact piece of equipment (mott flail) with almost same tractor just more power. So im curious if the tractor will make the mower eat the grass better or if the mower is already maxed out.

 

[hunt4570]

View attachment 433317

I did this field yesterday. I was a little disappointed with the efficiency. I get my new/used tractor this week and will be able to tell if HP will make a difference at all or not. This for me at least will be the perfect control / variable as I will be using the exact piece of equipment (mott flail) with almost same tractor just more power. So im curious if the tractor will make the mower eat the grass better or if the mower is already maxed out.

Is your current tractor bogging down? If not it won't make a bit of difference me thinks.