Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[Ricn]

you sir are greasing wqy to much! flails use sealed bearings needing grease very infrequent. I say this after blowing mine out twice when new and finding out from a reliable bearings manufaturer why this happened. Now, and for several years, I grease them twice during the summer months pending how much I do mow and then just a couple pumps in each side. I have learned to listen to the mower as it tells us when something is amiss. Inspection is also worthwhile, look at the belts and all else several times each season, adjust as needed. Flails are great mowers but not without needs, they require more than just using them followed by parking someplace until next time. I never leave mine outside in the weather, it goes in the shop when not in use. Surely some will disagree here but time has proven what I've said plus, the manufacturer of the bearings I installed, (the best ones I could find being made in Japan) said over greasing is one of te biggest issues in the bearing world.

 

[Ever Grow]

GinNB

First thing- use the recommended grease. Second thing- give it maybe one squirt per day. Don't overgrease. It'll push out the dust seals and help dust/crud get back in when they go back in place. Three- make sure it's in balance. Missing teeth are hard on bearings and the main mower frame. Four- Make sure you aren't winding grass, string, or whatever around the shaft next to the bearings. That'll cut the seals and cause premature failure.

That said, it's pretty rare to have two factory bearings go out in only 6 months. Tons of hours or only a couple of hundred? Cuttershaft bearing life should be measured in thousands of hours, not hundreds, unless one of the four above issues aren't happening. I wonder if they got a bad batch of bearings or maybe put some cheapos in? Possible improper installation if they've had staff turnover? Just guessing here though. I've never had a Rears though so I can't offer brand-specific experience. Some brands are a lot better surviving harsh use than others, but from what I've read Rears is a good brand.

p.s. One flail manufacturer recommended to me to NEVER grease cuttershaft bearings, but if they've been greased once to keep greasing them. They were getting thousands of hours on ungreased (factory grease only) bearings on their personal machines. They pulled the zerk and put in a plug. I've tried it and didn't magically increase my bearing life but I couldn't tell a difference between that method and normal greasing.

we run them about 12 to 15 hours a day for 6 to 7 days out of the week and this is between our weed season we like to keep the grass cut for the harvest and irrigation purpose. what would you recommend on grease for a 7 month period? And each bearing runs about $400 and that’s from a dealer. I appreciate this information it has opened my eyes I greased the bearing once a day with 8 pumps so I’m sure I blew the bearing from over greasing.

 

[LouNY]

The amount of greasing will depend on the bearing and it's seals. If it is a greaseable bearing the seals will be a one way type seal which will allow excess grease to escape past the seal easily. If a bearing is not designed to be grease often the seals will be a double lip seal, sealing in both directions. Losing bearings that fast that are being greased daily leads me to believe something else is going on, bent or bowed shaft or out of balance assembly.

 

[workinonit]

If any of those are his problem he wouldn't be able to stay on the tractor.

 

[leonz]

GinNB

we run them about 12 to 15 hours a day for 6 to 7 days out of the week and this is between our weed season we like to keep the grass cut for the harvest and irrigation purpose. what would you recommend on grease for a 7 month period? And each bearing runs about $400 and that’s from a dealer. I appreciate this information it has opened my eyes I greased the bearing once a day with 8 pumps so I’m sure I blew the bearing from over greasing.

How many acres of orchard are you mowing in total?

How many acres per day on average is mowed in 7 months?

Which model rears flail shredder do you have??

SPF FLAIL

IFA FLAIL

600 SERIES MOWER

SANITATION MOWER

OMF FLAIL

LSH/ASH SHREDDERS

POWER SHREDDERS

FLAIL CHOPPER

CANE SHREDDER

PWE FLAIL

ADH FLAIL

Engine Driven Shredder

Please tell me this so I can help you.


Does it have a single row roller bearing for the flail mower rotor or a 2 row sperical roller bearing?

The rears grease seal design for the sperical roller bearings prevents over greasing in their line of
larger flail shredders.

 

[blitzen]

Hi I am hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I have a Seppi offset orchard mulcher that takes the SMW hammers and am looking to replace them and the bolts and nuts that hold them in place. I have bought from flail Master in the past but they are out of business and was hoping that someone had a place they were getting hammers from. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

[John0829]

Flail Master is alive, well and doing business.

 

[Xfaxman]

Website:

Flail Master

Flail-Master - Serving the Mowing Industry for more than 50 years Download Our Catalog View Catalog Online Request a Print Catalog Email for a Custom Quote Download Our Catalog View Catalog Online Request a Print Catalog Email for a Custom Quote About Flail-Master Flail-Master ® has been...

www.flailmaster.com

 

[blitzen]

Flail Master is alive, well and doing business.

Hey thanks for that do you have a contact number? I found them today and will call them later today. Thanks again!

 

[blitzen]

Website:

Flail Master

Flail-Master - Serving the Mowing Industry for more than 50 years Download Our Catalog View Catalog Online Request a Print Catalog Email for a Custom Quote Download Our Catalog View Catalog Online Request a Print Catalog Email for a Custom Quote About Flail-Master Flail-Master ® has been...

www.flailmaster.com

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Thanks for your help!

 

[D2Cat]

See post 7930, number listed.

 

[Doug Vee]

Good afternoon all,

I have a possible opportunity for what appears to be an older Seppi SMO 200, hydraulic offset flail mower. Images at bottom of post.

The ad copy indicates that it is a 6' cut, very heavy duty, and estimated it weighs 1000 lbs and runs it with a 60 HP case tractor. The ad description also indicates that the unit is functional, "but needs some love". It looks like the gearbox has a leaking seal or two. The hitch, frame and rear roller all look to be in straight condition.

My questions to the group:
1. I have a Kubota L48. The specs indicate a 880 lb max implement weight on the 3 point hitch. Can anyone confirm the weight of the Seppi SMO 200?

2. Can anyone confirm the HP requirements of the above referenced mower?

3. In light of what appears to be a somewhat older piece of equipment, can anyone give me any idea what parts availability might be like for a Seppi flail mower?

Thank you in advance for your time.
Doug

 

[Molalla1]

Good afternoon all,

I have a possible opportunity for what appears to be an older Seppi SMO 200, hydraulic offset flail mower. Images at bottom of post.

The ad copy indicates that it is a 6' cut, very heavy duty, and estimated it weighs 1000 lbs and runs it with a 60 HP case tractor. The ad description also indicates that the unit is functional, "but needs some love". It looks like the gearbox has a leaking seal or two. The hitch, frame and rear roller all look to be in straight condition.

My questions to the group:
1. I have a Kubota L48. The specs indicate a 880 lb max implement weight on the 3 point hitch. Can anyone confirm the weight of the Seppi SMO 200?

2. Can anyone confirm the HP requirements of the above referenced mower?

3. In light of what appears to be a somewhat older piece of equipment, can anyone give me any idea what parts availability might be like for a Seppi flail mower?

Thank you in advance for your time.
Doug
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First of all, your max weight on your 3-point hitch is 3308 lbs. for your L48 hp is 48 . . . so you have plenty hp there to do the job. It's hard to judge from pictures . . . it looks like a little older model but built med duty ?

 

[arto98607]

Hi Doug,
That looks like a pretty well built older mower but as you already know it will need some work.

I would pull out the belt cover and see how the tension is adjusted - IE. is there idler or not and condition of pulleys, do the best you can to check the bearing condition etc.

It looks like there is adjustment on the gearbox output shaft so there may not be any idler at all?

 

[Doug Vee]

First of all, your max weight on your 3-point hitch is 3308 lbs. for your L48 hp is 48 . . . so you have plenty hp there to do the job. It's hard to judge from pictures . . . it looks like a little older model but built med duty ?

Mo,

Thanks for the reply. I saw the 3000+ lb spec listed on the page 10 table. But for the max implement weight (W1)/size, the page 10 table refers the reader to the table on page 11, where the 880 lbs is noted. The 880 seems rather light to me.

I guess the main question really is- what is the weight of the implement, which will be a little bit of a mystery to unravel.

Thanks again for your thoughts.
Doug

 

[Doug Vee]

Hi Doug,
That looks like a pretty well built older mower but as you already know it will need some work.

I would pull out the belt cover and see how the tension is adjusted - IE. is there idler or not and condition of pulleys, do the best you can to check the bearing condition etc.

It looks like there is adjustment on the gearbox output shaft so there may not be any idler at all?

Arto,

It is good to hear from you. There does seem to be some sort of adjustment visible on the output shaft. I would like to see a manual for the mystery machine, but that may be just wishful thinking. When I get the chance to see the machine in person, I will keep your suggestions in mind.

Thanks you,
Doug

 

[blitzen]

Good afternoon all,

I have a possible opportunity for what appears to be an older Seppi SMO 200, hydraulic offset flail mower. Images at bottom of post.

The ad copy indicates that it is a 6' cut, very heavy duty, and estimated it weighs 1000 lbs and runs it with a 60 HP case tractor. The ad description also indicates that the unit is functional, "but needs some love". It looks like the gearbox has a leaking seal or two. The hitch, frame and rear roller all look to be in straight condition.

My questions to the group:
1. I have a Kubota L48. The specs indicate a 880 lb max implement weight on the 3 point hitch. Can anyone confirm the weight of the Seppi SMO 200?

2. Can anyone confirm the HP requirements of the above referenced mower?

3. In light of what appears to be a somewhat older piece of equipment, can anyone give me any idea what parts availability might be like for a Seppi flail mower?

Thank you in advance for your time.
Doug
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I have an SMO 250 that looks like this mower only it is a little larger. I have ran mine with a New Holland T-2410 55hp total. It would rum the mower no problems. I always thought the tractor a little lite for this mower. I now have a tym t-700 and am getting the mower ready to run on the more powerful, heavier tractor. I spoke with Flail Master and they are working on getting me new hammers, bolts, and nuts so I can be ready for mowing season. I am hoping someone else can chime in with parts info as well.

 

[blitzen]

Good afternoon all,

I have a possible opportunity for what appears to be an older Seppi SMO 200, hydraulic offset flail mower. Images at bottom of post.

The ad copy indicates that it is a 6' cut, very heavy duty, and estimated it weighs 1000 lbs and runs it with a 60 HP case tractor. The ad description also indicates that the unit is functional, "but needs some love". It looks like the gearbox has a leaking seal or two. The hitch, frame and rear roller all look to be in straight condition.

My questions to the group:
1. I have a Kubota L48. The specs indicate a 880 lb max implement weight on the 3 point hitch. Can anyone confirm the weight of the Seppi SMO 200?

2. Can anyone confirm the HP requirements of the above referenced mower?

3. In light of what appears to be a somewhat older piece of equipment, can anyone give me any idea what parts availability might be like for a Seppi flail mower?

Thank you in advance for your time.
Doug
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View attachment 860641

Here is a number for Seppi M in america---

 

[Doug Vee]

I was able to learn some information on the mower today. I reached the regional distributor who was very helpful. He directed me to the local parts dealer, who was able to provide me with a PDF manual and give me an idea about parts availability and ball park costs. He also checked what the price for a new unit would be- approximately $12K.

Apparently, though it is an older unit, the SMO 200 is a current model. The working width is 79" and it weighs around 1,300 lbs. It sounds like my L48 might be a little light, though the horsepower is in the range (40-85), it is at the lower side of the range.

I am a little concerned about the overall weight. Kubota's specs on the weight are a little confusing the way the max weight on the end of the 3 point hitch arms is 3,748 lbs, but the max implement weight is 880 lbs. I guess I do not understand why there is such a huge disparity between the two spec numbers.

Anyhow, I am going to go look at the machine tomorrow morning, with my trailer. He will have the mower on his tractor to demo it for me, so I should be able to get a better feel for what the required capability might be. If there are any words of wisdom to share, I would be interested in hearing them.

Thanks again everyone for the input,
Doug

 

[D2Cat]

Are you going to be using the mower/tractor and different locations? If you are using it primarily in one location I wouldn't be too concerned about the weight. 95% of the time it will be setting on the ground being dragged by the tractor.