Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[lostcreekranch]

I did that as well. Mostly to mount the 3 point boom pole w/ extension when we were building the house. Hitch didn’t weather well so I’d like to remove from quick attach plate and remount a new hitch. Found the landscape rake quite useful mounted in place of FEL
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David, is this the adapter you've got for your FEL?

Adapter To Convert Full Size Universal Quick Tach To Quick Hitch 3 Point Cat 1,2

I've also been looking at this one too.

3-Point Attachment Adapter for Universal Skid Steers, Quick-Attach Equipment

 

[troverman]

I'm assuming yours is an HST; these always lose more power through the trans to the PTO than a gear / shuttle / powershift style transmission. And even within that framework, some HST transmissions are a little less efficient than others. My Kubota MX4800 HST has 49 engine HP and 39PTO HP...slightly more efficient than your I guess, but pretty similar.

Interestingly, I pull a 6-foot flail mower with my tractor. I find it bogs in the thickest, tallest grass unless I am crawling. In normal, lighter field grass I can move alone at a reasonable speed. You do have 7 more PTO HP than me, but more than a foot more mower. I'm surprised it seems to operate so well. My work is all on slopes, so that doesn't help I guess.

 

[TheFarmerInAdell]

Even the gear model only has 49 PTO HP. So the hydro only looses 3 HP comparatively. I was working on a slope for part of the mowing. I had it in the lowest range on the selector so that probably helped. I'm guessing when the test PTO HP they put some load on the drive train otherwise I can't see loosing that my HP just running without moving. It probably helps that my tractor is brand new (only 7 hours on it!). Try checking your air filter and fuel filter. Perhaps there's a little drag from those not letting as much through as they're supposed to. Also run in the lowest hydro range.

When I was looking for a new tractor I made sure I got the biggest hydro readily available. Everyone seemed to be around 60HP for their largest hydro. The MF 2706E just happened to be the best deal, the closest dealer, and in stock. It worked out perfect!

Apparently blade maintenance wasn't a priority for the Illinois Tollway mowers...

 

[troverman]

My tractor is a 2018, and my observations were from last fall's mowing. My machine only has 92 hours on it now, but it was brand new then. I always mow in low range.

 

[TheFarmerInAdell]

My tractor is a 2018, and my observations were from last fall's mowing. My machine only has 92 hours on it now, but it was brand new then. I always mow in low range.

What kind of blades do you have? I'm using the Y blades. If you're using the heavy hammers that might have something to do with it? Otherwise I have no idea. :confused3:

 

[troverman]

I am using the heavier hammers. I've run y-blades on my other mower and the cut quality isn't as good. It's OK with the hammers, better cut, just have to go slower. It's only field grass.

 

[dnw64]

Personally I wouldn稚 dump the bush hog. Use it for rough cut areas. Both types have their place.

Well my shop manager is interested in my old brush hog, so I may get the best of both worlds. He buys it, stores it, and if I need it I know he'll let me borrow it...

 

[Molalla1]

Well my shop manager is interested in my old brush hog, so I may get the best of both worlds. He buys it, stores it, and if I need it I know he'll let me borrow it...

Better yet . . .

 

[PatMcD]

Apparently blade maintenance wasn't a priority for the Illinois Tollway mowers...
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I think that's typical for any Government usage. I bought my Alamo SH88 at auction (Maine Turnpike Authority unit) and the blades look exactly the same as yours. Which new blades did you go with from Flailmaster? I'm trying to decide between the "Extreme duty" and the "heavy forged". I've got lots of ledge and boulders I zing over. Also thinking about getting rid of the clevis and cotter pin and going with the bolt and nut: just seems like it'd be a lot quicker.

 

[PatMcD]

duplicate post

 

[TheFarmerInAdell]

I think that's typical for any Government usage. I bought my Alamo SH88 at auction (Maine Turnpike Authority unit) and the blades look exactly the same as yours. Which new blades did you go with from Flailmaster? I'm trying to decide between the "Extreme duty" and the "heavy forged". I've got lots of ledge and boulders I zing over. Also thinking about getting rid of the clevis and cotter pin and going with the bolt and nut: just seems like it'd be a lot quicker.

I went with the FM-7 blades. I was talking to someone who used to work on these mowers, and he said the lighter blades do better against rocks because they bounce off easier and don't get damaged. They're also thinner so when they do become dull they're sharper than the thicker blades when dull. I had the "extreme service" blades on my Ford 917 for helping clear brush, but this time I went with the FM-7 because I have a brush saw and it will be a one-time deal clearing the rest of the brush. I'd stick with the clevis pin and cotter pin. If the threads get damaged you will need to replace the nut and bold. The clevis pin can be reused with a new cotter pin which is cheap. It took me about 1-1/2 hours to remove and about 2-1/2 hours to install the new blades, only because I needed to straighten some lugs that got bent in. If you use the clevis pin I have some advice: There is a small hole on the sides of the mower that line up with the clevis pin holes in the lugs. Use that and push the pin in from the outside to give easier access to the cotter pin.

My extreme service blades did well against the rocks, so I'm sure you'll be fine with those. I considered the forged blades but something steered me away from them. I can't remember what steered me away, but I remember there was a reason I didn't get them. My new FM-7 blades did great against the tall grass yesterday. I don't regret getting them over the thicker ones and saving some money.

 

[sodamo]

David, is this the adapter you've got for your FEL?

Adapter To Convert Full Size Universal Quick Tach To Quick Hitch 3 Point Cat 1,2

QUOTE]

Pretty much like this, just homemade from the 2 components.

 

[Fallon]

David, is this the adapter you've got for your FEL?

Adapter To Convert Full Size Universal Quick Tach To Quick Hitch 3 Point Cat 1,2

QUOTE]

Pretty much like this, just homemade from the 2 components.

I made one as a snow plow mount. Worked well until the plow sold with the old tractor. I just welded a QH to a SSQA plate. Probably should have painted it. Made for a nice way to lift & flip the flail for easy maintnance. Used it for moving & loading other impliments as well. Have a spare SSQA plate & QH to make another, but haven't gotten around to it yet.

 

[Fallon]

I made one as a snow plow mount. Worked well until the plow sold with the old tractor. I just welded a QH to a SSQA plate. Probably should have painted it. Made for a nice way to lift & flip the flail for easy maintnance. Used it for moving & loading other impliments as well. Have a spare SSQA plate & QH to make another, but haven't gotten around to it yet.

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Missed the plow photo...

 

[LandofCheese]

I'm a flail mower noob and looking for help on this one, I picked up a 60" Mott mower cheap but I'm afraid that i messed up and the gear box isn't for 540 pto speed more like 1000 pto speed, I know the Knifes are dull but it just doesn't seem to work all that well at my tractors 540 pto speed. but i'm not an expert on flail mowers (I've read though much of this thread over the years but still no real hands on experience) I'm thinking the unit is a Mott J60 if it needs 1000 pto speed, is it all in my head? I also believe that the gearbox has been replaced at sometime in the past.

So does anyone know how many rotations the knife drum should go with one revolution from the pto shaft on a normal 540 unit?
also shouldn't the gearbox have a vent somewhere?

 

[Molalla1]

I'm a flail mower noob and looking for help on this one, I picked up a 60" Mott mower cheap but I'm afraid that i messed up and the gear box isn't for 540 pto speed more like 1000 pto speed, I know the Knifes are dull but it just doesn't seem to work all that well at my tractors 540 pto speed. but i'm not an expert on flail mowers (I've read though much of this thread over the years but still no real hands on experience) I'm thinking the unit is a Mott J60 if it needs 1000 pto speed, is it all in my head? I also believe that the gearbox has been replaced at sometime in the past.

So does anyone know how many rotations the knife drum should go with one revolution from the pto shaft on a normal 540 unit?
also shouldn't the gearbox have a vent somewhere?
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If you are running it with that LS you have listed in your sig . . . PTO is only 17.5 hp . . . that's a 5' flail . . . maybe a little short on hp.

 

[whirly]

I'm a flail mower noob and looking for help on this one, I picked up a 60" Mott mower cheap but I'm afraid that i messed up and the gear box isn't for 540 pto speed more like 1000 pto speed, I know the Knifes are dull but it just doesn't seem to work all that well at my tractors 540 pto speed. but i'm not an expert on flail mowers (I've read though much of this thread over the years but still no real hands on experience) I'm thinking the unit is a Mott J60 if it needs 1000 pto speed, is it all in my head? I also believe that the gearbox has been replaced at sometime in the past.

So does anyone know how many rotations the knife drum should go with one revolution from the pto shaft on a normal 540 unit?
also shouldn't the gearbox have a vent somewhere?

It IS for a 540 PTO. As stated before your HP may be a little lacking but if your tractor will rev higher than the PTO speed, you can run the Mott up to 700 RPM without any problem. I'd suggest you try inching the tractor RPM up by 100 at a time to see if it helps. You may also try raising the blades by lengthening the top link. That will cut higher and an extra inch less for the mower to cut may help also.

 

[Molalla1]

It IS for a 540 PTO. As stated before your HP may be a little lacking but if your tractor will rev higher than the PTO speed, you can run the Mott up to 700 RPM without any problem. I'd suggest you try inching the tractor RPM up by 100 at a time to see if it helps. You may also try raising the blades by lengthening the top link. That will cut higher and an extra inch less for the mower to cut may help also.

Agree, but if the grass is tractor hood high . . . you may have to crawl along, or as whirly suggested pour the coal to it, and still crawl.

 

[D2Cat]

On this mower do the flails turn to opposite direction compared to one with the pulleys on the other end of the gearbox?

 

[Lnk]

Looks like the rotor spins same direction as your tires. Try taking a half width cut and see if it does better, if it does, you are trying to cut too much for your tractor hp. What are you cutting? Really high or thick grass? That takes the most hp.