Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[shaeff]

Your field looks great! It looks like your skids are very low, are you getting any scraping at all? When in use, those skids shouldn't be touching the ground. The flail should be supported by the rear roller and the 3pt hitch.

 

[Dan in MN]

I don't know if anyone is in or near Wisconsin, but here's a new 70" flail on auction that's sitting at a pretty good price right now, though of course being an auction it could double before it ends tomorrow...

Hansen & Young, Inc. - Farm, Commercial, Real Estate & Estate Auctions

 

[IslandTractor]

Your field looks great! It looks like your skids are very low, are you getting any scraping at all? When in use, those skids shouldn't be touching the ground. The flail should be supported by the rear roller and the 3pt hitch.

Agree Roy's skids are set pretty low. If he's not gouging turf then I guess his field is nice and smooth and level. I'd tear up the grass in areas I mow if my skids were that low. And, remember, the skids are just there mostly to protect the rotor and knives when the mower is dismounted. I suppose it isn't good to leave the knives in contact with wet soil for long but certainly no harm will come from being left on soft turf for a week or so. Mine lives outside on turf over sandy soil during the off season. No harm after ten years.

 

[RoyJackson]

Your field looks great! It looks like your skids are very low, are you getting any scraping at all? When in use, those skids shouldn't be touching the ground. The flail should be supported by the rear roller and the 3pt hitch.

The one picture with the skid shoes set so low was taken before any mowing...I re-positioned the shoes much lower before mowing (one hole up). I'll re-position them again (lower) before mowing again to see how that works.

These pictures clarify the skid shoes.




I set them when I lowered the roller...I reckon I can re-position them. I'll admit, I a novice when it comes to flail mowers...I'll learn as I go and heed the advice of fellow TBNers with more experience than I.

 

[leonz]

Hello Roy,

I know you will love how the turf looks when you have your final mowing height set and by then all the scrub and the thick stemmed weeds will be gone and you can spread good grass seed in the fall to generate more good turf and choke out the weeds even further.

 

[shaeff]

The one picture with the skid shoes set so low was taken before any mowing...I re-positioned the shoes much lower before mowing (one hole up). I'll re-position them again (lower) before mowing again to see how that works.

These pictures clarify the skid shoes.
View attachment 517083

View attachment 517084

I set them when I lowered the roller...I reckon I can re-position them. I'll admit, I a novice when it comes to flail mowers...I'll learn as I go and heed the advice of fellow TBNers with more experience than I.

The pics you posted above are good, that's exactly how you should be running the flail mower, with the skids not making ground contact. No need to readjust! The first pics you posted had the skids touching the ground. If they touch the ground you'll get gouge marks all over unless you have perfectly flat ground.

You've got it figured out, nice looking unit!

 

[Aaron L]

They make a MiniMax now in 48, 60 and 72 inch sizes and the smaller one is around that price. I really prefer the Mighty Max, but the smallest is a 70" cut, but it's a touch over $5k in price. They are very, very good mowers but certainly are priced like something built very well right here in America, in fact right here in California. They are so smooth and quiet.

I do realize that most folks can't justify the cost unless they mow a ton or mow commercially.

Hello Dave,

What are the differences between the Mini Max and the Might Max, other than the differences in cutting width ranges (48"/60"/72" vs 70" and up)?

 

[DavesTractor]

Hello Dave,

What are the differences between the Mini Max and the Might Max, other than the differences in cutting width ranges (48"/60"/72" vs 70" and up)?

The Mighty Max is about 50% heavier for a similar size. For example the Mini Max MM72 is 490 lbs, the Mighty Max C72 is 745 lbs. Everything is just heavier duty, especially around the a-frame area. The Mini is a good little mower and a step up from most imports, but to me the real desirable Vrisimo starts at the Mighty Max model and heavier.

 

[Aaron L]

That certainly makes sense.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'm surprised by how light the Mini Max 72 is. The 73" Caroni TM1900 is listed at 650lbs.