Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[Fallon]

Your knife pattern isn't normal for a 917. For rough cut they use every 3rd hole, finish they use every hole. It appears someone decided to go between rough and finish and use ever other hole. Never hurts having more knives.

Did you have to modify your 917 to use the quick adapter? I bought a quick adapter that I'm going to mount onto a SSQA plate for my skidloader, mostly to move implements around. That would be a great 2nd purpose for the adapter.

That flail was beat to **** decades before I got it. I wont claim most things are right about it. It was missing some knives, as it turns out because they were hitting the hood where it was tweaked. Rear roller adjustment was welded solid. I replaced the knives staying close to what was there. It's worked well. I can't say vibration free, but I blame that on the hood being half cracked in two (not fixing that, it still works) & not a single mounting boss on the rotor being straight. Worked great for a $100 flail, but is now retired as my backup & rocky field I dont give a crap mower.

 

[leonz]

Good Morning ,

I want to apologize for not welcoming you as the newest member of the "Flail Mower Nations" earlier.

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I finally finished reading this massive thread. I might as well throw my hat in the ring. I bought this 5' Ford 917 recently (already posted it in a separate thread, but this thread is more impressive...). I'm still working on getting it fully functional. It was missing the rear roller and one of the roller supports. I'm currently having a local shop make them for me, and I have new bearings to install for the roller. The rotor bearings seem to be in decent shape yet. Just needed to grease them.

A number of blades were missing along with a few broken and the rest are horribly beat up. After reading this thread I've decided to get a set of both the original blades (airplane wings) for when I want a nice finish and a set of side slicers for knocking down some CRP land that is coming out of contract this fall after 20 years. I will only be grass (as far as I know...), any brush I'll take my brush saw along to cut down to ground level before mowing. I don't think I'll mow the whole 30 acres, just a nice path around the outside and burn the rest off :cool2: . I will also mow some trails. Once I have all the heavy stuff knocked down I'll switch over to the smooth cut blades to maintain it. Both hang on the same hangers and D-rings so no problems there. I'm also ordering a new belt (double V) to keep on hand.

I have played with it a little bit and it does cut decent on my little 24HP (18PTO) tractor. I can't lift it real high, but high enough to get it off the ground. It's HST so I can go slow in the heavy stuff. Overall the thing is in decent shape for being so old.

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[Ford850]

I've been researching flail mowers some more, and was looking at the Maschio Girafetta and some other Maschio series including offset varieties. I was trying to justify the high cost of these, but figured they are better quality Italian made flails. Then I found they are made in China per the Iowa Farm Equipment sites. Very disappointing. I'm still considering them, but might shift to the Land Pride version of Mascio (pre 2018) or even the new Land Pride flails since they are mainly built or assembled in the USA.

 

[def38]

I've been researching flail mowers some more, and was looking at the Maschio Girafetta and some other Maschio series including offset varieties. I was trying to justify the high cost of these, but figured they are better quality Italian made flails. Then I found they are made in China per the Iowa Farm Equipment sites. Very disappointing. I'm still considering them, but might shift to the Land Pride version of Mascio (pre 2018) or even the new Land Pride flails since they are mainly built or assembled in the USA.

I have always been leery of Chinese machinery. Welds are often done poorly, assembly is shoddy and bearings are always suspect. But, the lure of low price got the better of me and I purchased a flail from Titan, Titan Flail Mower 6" 3 Point PTO Tractor Attachment Heavy Duty Cutting EFGC155 . This flail came with hammer flails, necessary for my recently cleared field with stumps, sticks and Buick hubcaps.

The free shipping was also a lure. I have had the flail for a year now and I gotta say, the welds are as good as any, assembly was good and performance is very good. Also, their service and support is first rate. And while I have had no bearing failures, I'll be replacing the ball brings on the flail drum in a year or two. The current bearings are noisy. But, I would buy one again in hindsight.

 

[leonz]

Hello Ford850,

The Girafetta models are still madet by Peruzzo in Italy.

Machines for public and sports green maintenance | Peruzzo.it

The Maschio flail mowers are still made in Italy by Maschio

www.maschio.home-en-us

 

[bruceha2000]

TX mower.
I have a Woodmaxx FM62H. Like it a lot. My Kubota B2910 handles it very well. Now that I have used it cutting little over 3 acres 5 times. I wish I had gotten the FM78 or other 6' flail mower. The 22 PTO HP of my tractor handles the 62" very well. Never bogs engine down like my 5' rotary cutter does.

You might be happy you didn't get the 78H. I called Woodmaxx thinking I wanted the 78, the tractor dealer said the 24.7 PTO HP would be fine (he isn't familiar with Woodmaxx). But the guy at Woodmaxx suggested against it. He COULD have sold me a 78H on the spot for more money, instead I am waitlisted for a 62H. I figure it best to trust the business that sells them, not a dealer who had never heard of the company. Now I need someone who has put down a deposit for a September machine to change their mind

If you detach or unplug your loader (bucket only maybe) and use longer hoses, you could have rear hydraulics

That is my plan as well. The flail will be used a few times a year and I won't need bucket dump functionality when it is. A couple of long hoses will be much cheaper than extra valves at the back.

 

[Ford850]

Hello Ford850,

The Girafetta models are still madet by Peruzzo in Italy.

Machines for public and sports green maintenance | Peruzzo.it

The Maschio flail mowers are still made in Italy by Maschio

www.maschio.home-en-us

Maschio Girafetta are made by Peruzzo ?
The Peruzzo site does state all of their equipment is made in Italy, and the Iowa Farm Equipment site also says "Country/Region of Manufacture: Italy" for the Peruzzo flails. But the IFE site shows the Maschio Girafetta flail, along with some others, as "Country/Region of Manufacture: China". Flail Side Trim Ditch Bank, Verge Mower: Maschio Girafetta 16SI 63"Cut, 35-55HP | eBay

 

[Ricn]

Kubota dealer told me the Land Prides are made in Italy then assembled here; that was last year when looking to buy something. The one I looked at appeared to be very good IMO but price was much higher than the Woodmaxx I purchased and Caroni model, my first choice, was unavailable at that time. not using my Woodmaxx that often so praying it holds up for a long time.
Ricn

 

[leonz]

Maschio Girafetta are made by Peruzzo ?
The Peruzzo site does state all of their equipment is made in Italy, and the Iowa Farm Equipment site also says "Country/Region of Manufacture: Italy" for the Peruzzo flails. But the IFE site shows the Maschio Girafetta flail, along with some others, as "Country/Region of Manufacture: China". Flail Side Trim Ditch Bank, Verge Mower: Maschio Girafetta 16SI 63"Cut, 35-55HP | eBay

Apparently they are both using the Italian word for Giraffe for the side shifting models.

I would find a Maschio dealer to be sure about the country of origin as Fleabay makes lots of mistakes about the stuff that is sold on their site.

MAschio always lists Italy for the point of manufacture for their farm equipment.

 

[def38]

Just got off the M-F with the Titan Flail Mower 6" 3 Point PTO Tractor Attachment Heavy Duty Cutting EFGC155 flail mower on the 3 point. I mowed the first two acres of Berseem clover I planted last year. Each time I mow, I am amazed at how civil and neat my cleared land looks...next spring I'll plant Bermuda on all five acres. The flail mower is doing almost as good a job as my Craftsman riding mower. IMO, the flail mower produces a neat, clean cut while chewing up the clippings so fine I cannot see them from the tractor seat. And my mower is fitted with the hammer flails. I like the hammer flails because when I encounter high grass or sticks and small fallen tree branches, they disappear out the rear of the mower. The M-F 231S with the Perkins diesel sips fuel. I can cut all 5 acres with 2 gallons of fuel.

 

[Ford850]

Apparently they are both using the Italian word for Giraffe for the side shifting models.

I would find a Maschio dealer to be sure about the country of origin as Fleabay makes lots of mistakes about the stuff that is sold on their site.

MAschio always lists Italy for the point of manufacture for their farm equipment.

That makes more sense. Both Peruzzo and Maschio look like quality flails, with Maschio being heavier when comparing similarly equipped sizes between the brands. I assume the frame and deck are thicker on the Maschio flails, or maybe just a heavier duty mower overall.

 

[leonz]

That makes more sense. Both Peruzzo and Maschio look like quality flails, with Maschio being heavier when comparing similarly equipped sizes between the brands. I assume the frame and deck are thicker on the Maschio flails, or maybe just a heavier duty mower overall.

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Hello and good morning Ford850,

The Orchard and vineyard flail shredders made by both companies are well built machines and you will not make a mistake buying either brand.

You have to decide how much money you can spend and what you can afford with a one time purchase or over time and if its a deductable expense all the better as you are also tax exempt

Decided how much mowing your going to do with it and where as a boom mounted flail mower will let you have much more ability to mow everywhere and everything and also mow vertically at a raised height to keep brush back in access lanes and also mow banks from either the bottom of the bank if its accessable or from the top along a road or farm ditch on a farm lane or a farm road used to access acreage.

We want you to succeed not fail.

 

[powerscol]

Maschio Girafetta are made by Peruzzo ?
The Peruzzo site does state all of their equipment is made in Italy, and the Iowa Farm Equipment site also says "Country/Region of Manufacture: Italy" for the Peruzzo flails. But the IFE site shows the Maschio Girafetta flail, along with some others, as "Country/Region of Manufacture: China". Flail Side Trim Ditch Bank, Verge Mower: Maschio Girafetta 16SI 63"Cut, 35-55HP | eBay

I have one, 160 SE, and no where am I finding any china stamps, Flails say made in Italia.
On edit
I also love it. Does very well behind my Bobcat CT 235

 

[leonz]

Hello Powerscol,

Who ever is selling them on fleabay has been pushing that falsehood.

Sent you a PM.

 

[Ford850]

Iowa Farm Equipment is the seller on eBay.

 

[shooterdon]

Being made in China would not be a deal killer if the machine was built well and supported locally and if it represented a significant savings. Has anyone heard horror stories about the implements made in China?

 

[Ricn]

I have no issues to date but try my best to read/research, ask questions on TBN and if at all possible go look, try out and give it a kick or two; not often possible any longer as their are less and less dealers now. I have Kubota implements by Land Pride, same from Everything Equipment plus a Woodmaxx flail Mower, all work as expected and made in China far as I know. MyE E front forks are well made saving me lots of strain and pain.
I haven't let price be the driver when buying but often buy the best I can find without breaking the bank, a fine line there for me. The cheapest quality/made stuff is all around here but in general I pass it by. Kubota IMO is never low priced but I do get good stuff there, no complaints, and they stock tons of things besides tractors and implements and are close by too. China is doing better IMO and I well remember when we thought everything was crap coming out of Japan...Like many, I long for the days when America Made really meant A M.

TBN is the Savior for those who look to buy these days, I remain very thankful for everyone who gives their time to help all of us.

Ricn

 

[D2Cat]

I have no issues to date but try my best to read/research, ask questions on TBN and if at all possible go look, try out and give it a kick or two; not often possible any longer as their are less and less dealers now. I have Kubota implements by Land Pride, same from Everything Equipment plus a Woodmaxx flail Mower, all work as expected and made in China far as I know. MyE E front forks are well made saving me lots of strain and pain.
I haven't let price be the driver when buying but often buy the best I can find without breaking the bank, a fine line there for me. The cheapest quality/made stuff is all around here but in general I pass it by. Kubota IMO is never low priced but I do get good stuff there, no complaints, and they stock tons of things besides tractors and implements and are close by too. China is doing better IMO and I well remember when we thought everything was crap coming out of Japan...Like many, I long for the days when America Made really meant A M.

TBN is the Savior for those who look to buy these days, I remain very thankful for everyone who gives their time to help all of us.

Ricn

The Land Pride facilities in Salina, Ks. has been there a long time. A couple of years ago Kubota purchased Great Plains Manufacturing which includes Land Pride. Kubota Buys Great Plains Manufacturing for $43 Million – RealAgriculture

I believe your reference to made in China is inaccurate.

 

[Ricn]

G2Cat - Sorry if I riled you but My Kubota sales guy says different saying, most by percentage is made in Kansas or other plants doing small parts, some of their stuff is made in Italy, flail mowers being one, and some are partially made outside the USA. The way things are these days, how can anyone be sure where stuff is being manufactured? Am not passing judgment here one way or another but so much is kept secret who's to know for sure any longer? Regardless, I am very happy with what I have purchased being Kubota or otherwise thinking it all pretty well made.

Ricn

 

[ddbackhoe]

I've been pondering this question for awhile and now, after using my flail a few times I came to a conclusion. Flails do not rob HP, they do use more fuel than a bush hog because you have to keep rpm's up and ground speed low if you want to cut 12-15" stuff down to 3 -4" and leave a clean cut. If I cut 12-15" in one pass with high ground speed (5.5) it doesn't look pretty, a second pass does make it look pretty. If I cut 12-15" with low ground speed (2.7) it looks pretty first time around. From our logs, we have used 7 gallons more fuel than this time last year with a bush hog. I am very pleased, so far, with the flail purchase and don't miss the bush hog. I did hit a chunk of concrete the other day which ejected pieces forward past the tractor but tree limbs and other debris get chewed up and sent out the back, just right for mowing field edges and right of way cleaning.