Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[K5lwq]

I set my roller in the upper holes making the mower low in the back then raise the front with the 3pt or top link to adjust mowing height.

 

[DieselBound]

I set my roller in the upper holes making the mower low in the back then raise the front with the 3pt or top link to adjust mowing height.

And you're adjusting such that the skids are level, right?

 

[workinonit]

My 2 cents involves actual ditch bank cutting. I have cut ditches for years with a 5 foot Hardee ditch bank mower. One of the easiest things to do tjhat happens in the blink of an eye is to hook a root or unlevel spoy in the bottom of a ditch and have it pull the tractor in the ditch. Just be aware of it before you start dropping the cutter down in the ditch. Also, I cut ditches pretty slow. On my JD I'm in A range probably second or 3rd gear max. They are an awkward anbd heavy fulcrum.

 

[K5lwq]

And you're adjusting such that the skids are level, right?

Actually I like the skids up jut a bit in the front. These helps keep it from digging into the ground on turns. I mow in a circle when possible.

 

[K5lwq]

My 2 cents involves actual ditch bank cutting. I have cut ditches for years with a 5 foot Hardee ditch bank mower. One of the easiest things to do tjhat happens in the blink of an eye is to hook a root or unlevel spoy in the bottom of a ditch and have it pull the tractor in the ditch. Just be aware of it before you start dropping the cutter down in the ditch. Also, I cut ditches pretty slow. On my JD I'm in A range probably second or 3rd gear max. They are an awkward anbd heavy fulcrum.

This and it is more of a chance to happen without float on the rotational cylinder. With float I find it will ride over stuff better but pay attention and go slow.

 

[DieselBound]

Flails, by design, like to suck things up. I wedged an 8" dia chunk of buried cedar root such that I had to use a drill to dislodge it: hammers really get a good bite on stuff! Couldn't imagine that sense combined with a tipping tractor!

 

[TractorTYMe]

I got a 68'' Flail mower from Titan Attachments, love this thing.

 

[Doorman63]

Man……….really want a flail mower for my L2501!!

about 8 acres split between 2 fields and the “yard”.

Which flail mower for a cheapskate?

my rotary cutter does ok……..would like one mower to do everything if that’s possible.

 

[TheFarmerInAdell]

Man……….really want a flail mower for my L2501!!

about 8 acres split between 2 fields and the “yard”.

Which flail mower for a cheapskate?

my rotary cutter does ok……..would like one mower to do everything if that’s possible.

Do you want to be "cheap" or "frugal"? I'd suggest frugal over cheap. Look for a used name brand flail. You'll probably end up paying about the same as a new off brand flail and get a higher quality unit. That's what I do, at least. My experience over the years is that it costs less in the end to buy a better unit than a cheap unit.

 

[workinonit]

I love a flail mulcher. Mine is 10' and slides so it's almost as good as a ditch bank flail. Certainly not quite but I can slide it out and cut about 2 feet into a ditch. Places I couldn't get with the ZT or the 20' FM. Mine cuts as good aas my FM.

 

[Beeenvenue]

Do you want to be "cheap" or "frugal"? I'd suggest frugal over cheap. Look for a used name brand flail. You'll probably end up paying about the same as a new off brand flail and get a higher quality unit. That's what I do, at least. My experience over the years is that it costs less in the end to buy a better unit than a cheap unit.

I agree. Waited for 9 months (still haven’t read everything in this thread) for a decent deal worth driving to get. Bought a 7600 new Loftness for 700 and spent 600 on tools, bolts, and y knives. Not bad

 

[Beeenvenue]

By raising the rear roller you are lowering the cutting height;
this is what you need to do to recut the material finely as long as
the belts are tight and the gearbox is level-never mind the shaft.

I realize that. I lowered it almost all the way (raised the roller) and except for shorter grass I still didn’t get much “mulching”. For what I paid I’m happy but hard to believe a $7600 list machine gives better - but not much better - results as my rotary (in terms of clippings - the cut is far superior)

I also tried angling the top link forward and back to see if that did anything. Outside of adjusting height of cut somewhat the clippings stayed the same.

Im back to my original question - how can I improve the mulching action?

(belt is tight and good condition, flails all visibly move well, etc - I did a careful slow motion video with it raised at about 200 pto rpm to watch)

 

[leonz]

The only suggestion I have is to contact the dealer to see if your Sicma flail can be used with side slicer knives as you do not have re cutting bars mounted on the rear panel.
A flail mulcher will cut the material you want to knock down but the hammer knives do not create the suction you need to recut the material.
Check with your dealer as you may be able to purchase side slicer knives and the spacers you need to mount them on the knife hanger weldments of your flail mulcher.

 

[tracracer8867]

I do know that some flail mowers come in standard or reverse rotation, the benefit of one or the other I don't know, unless it is how fine the cut is. My own uneducated self, A flail in stubble will give you a nice cut. For me edge clean up and ditch banks it woulds depend on what I was cutting and possible obstructions. Cutter shafts on flails are more delicate than the underside of most rotaries. A hydraulic offset is real nice doing ditch banks and around obstructions.

 

[Skagit]

Well, I sold my Woodmaxx FM-78 today, the FM-88 I ordered should be here in 2-3 weeks. It'll be nice to have the extra width and offset to mow ditchbanks.

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[GSVette]

Yes it mows to low. Funny thing is I lowered it quite a bit already, but it needs to be lower.

So I’m seriously contemplating a ditch/bank flail to complement my old, beat to s*** 917. I have a need to trim the brush back on many of my access roads. It would seem that a ditch/bank mower run in the vertical or near vertical position would be ideal for this. I’ve had very little luck verifying that any of the mowers I’ve looked into thus far ( very preliminarily) can be operated in the near vertical position.

Can someone who actually owns one ( and better yet has operated it in the vertical or near vertical position) respond? Manufacturer of your flail would be nice to know as well.

I’ve considered the Lane Shark but saw one and was not thoroughly impressed with some of the construction details.

Thanks, in advance.

 

[K5lwq]

@GSVette, I have not used mine in the vertical position for trimming. However, I do not think it would be worth buying for that purpose. It just would not go high enough in my opinion. For ditch work or trimming around a pond they are wonderful. I even enjoy mowing open fields with mine. Mine is a Victory 64" mower.

 

[Wasmeneh]

I have a Bestco 65" ditch bank flail. I use it as a standard flail, ditch bank and occasionally to cut the sides of trails. With mine I recently changed out the hammers for Y blades which seem to perform better with grass. I have noticed when cutting trail sides you can't get up high, I figure maybe 6 feet. When I am cutting sides it also seems since your not cutting against a hard service, the ground, things tend to bend out of the way. Hope this helps.

 

[Akdmax]

So I’m seriously contemplating a ditch/bank flail to complement my old, beat to s*** 917. I have a need to trim the brush back on many of my access roads. It would seem that a ditch/bank mower run in the vertical or near vertical position would be ideal for this. I’ve had very little luck verifying that any of the mowers I’ve looked into thus far ( very preliminarily) can be operated in the near vertical position.

Can someone who actually owns one ( and better yet has operated it in the vertical or near vertical position) respond? Manufacturer of your flail would be nice to know as well.

I’ve considered the Lane Shark but saw one and was not thoroughly impressed with some of the construction details.

Thanks, in advance.

I own a Nova BCRM 175 and have run it in the vertical position. It works ok, but as others have said it does push the material away. Couple passes usually gets it though. Doesn't mow very high. But high enough to keep trails and roads in check. I don't recommend the Nova due to quality issues I've had with mine. YMMV.

 

[Skagit]

So I’m seriously contemplating a ditch/bank flail to complement my old, beat to s*** 917. I have a need to trim the brush back on many of my access roads. It would seem that a ditch/bank mower run in the vertical or near vertical position would be ideal for this. I’ve had very little luck verifying that any of the mowers I’ve looked into thus far ( very preliminarily) can be operated in the near vertical position.

Can someone who actually owns one ( and better yet has operated it in the vertical or near vertical position) respond? Manufacturer of your flail would be nice to know as well.

I’ve considered the Lane Shark but saw one and was not thoroughly impressed with some of the construction details.

Thanks, in advance.

What about one of those samurai sickle mowers? I've thought about getting one myself.

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