Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[Wrench83]

Not sure why you think I'm yelling. I am not.

Like I said, I cannot mow any slower. I have tried all different speeds with no improvement. Trust me when I say I used the trial and error method to solve the problem before turning to the interwebz for advice. When I raise the mower, a giant pile of clippings drops down to the ground. For whatever reason, the clippings aren't being mulched and ejected properly. Even in videos on Youtube published by woodmaxx they are cutting tall (24"+) vegetation and the machine is leaving behind no clumps but a very fine, even layer of clippings. The machine was cutting just fine and giving me good results with this same setup and method of operation so I don't see a need to go on making a bunch of changes. I'm just looking to see if anyone has had this type of issue in the past and what their solution was. The manufacturer was zero help which is bothersome considering they have a reputation for providing good customer support. If the answer is to buy a new set of knives I'm fine with that but I'm not wanting to go burn a bunch of fuel, monkey with the settings and tear up my lawn.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Not sure why you think I'm yelling. I am not.

Like I said, I cannot mow any slower. I have tried all different speeds with no improvement. Trust me when I say I used the trial and error method to solve the problem before turning to the interwebz for advice. When I raise the mower, a giant pile of clippings drops down to the ground. For whatever reason, the clippings aren't being mulched and ejected properly. Even in videos on Youtube published by woodmaxx they are cutting tall (24"+) vegetation and the machine is leaving behind no clumps but a very fine, even layer of clippings. The machine was cutting just fine and giving me good results with this same setup and method of operation so I don't see a need to go on making a bunch of changes. I'm just looking to see if anyone has had this type of issue in the past and what their solution was. The manufacturer was zero help which is bothersome considering they have a reputation for providing good customer support. If the answer is to buy a new set of knives I'm fine with that but I'm not wanting to go burn a bunch of fuel, monkey with the settings and tear up my lawn.

What tractor model? Tractor PTO horsepower?

 

[D2Cat]

I'm just curious, have you removed the shield to look at your belts to be sure they are OK? Maybe your knives are not turning the correct RPM because of belt slippage/failure. Your solution has to be something simple, because there's not that much to go wrong in that short of time!

 

[aczlan]

I'm just curious, have you removed the shield to look at your belts to be sure they are OK? Maybe your knives are not turning the correct RPM because of belt slippage/failure. Your solution has to be something simple, because there's not that much to go wrong in that short of time!

I would look at that, and also look and see if there's anything extra underneath the top of the mower. Maybe a clump of clippings or something?

Aaron Z

 

[leonz]

Check your V belts and be sure that there is no more than 1/8 of flex on all of them when they are under tension.

 

[Wrench83]

What tractor model? Tractor PTO horsepower?

It's in the my original post, Kubota L3901HST. Plenty of power, never bogs or sounds loaded.

 

[Wrench83]

That was my initial thought as well, so I cleaned out the underside of the mower to remove all clumps of grass and debris.

 

[Wrench83]

Check your V belts and be sure that there is no more than 1/8 of flex on all of them when they are under tension.

All good, no signs of slippage. Tension is correct.

 

[leonz]

If the V belts are good, The PTO is running at 540 RPM engine speed under load then the only thing left is the cutting edge of the knives as the thatching blades would not interfere with the cut or hold the clippings as long as they stay above the turf.

If you cannot slice a piece of news print or a 20 pound bond paper sheet with one knife they need to be sharpened.

If the the edges of the knives are dull they will not shine using a flash light to illuminate them after pouring some hot water on the knife edge to wash away any fine dust.


Before you pull the knives I would like you to do one more thing; open the access door and lock it open and mow with it with no one around; or at a far enough away area to work at your normal mowing speed.

Please check your slip clutch to see if it is in full contact on both sides as that may actually be the issue. If you cannot move one side of the clutch while holding on to the other side with a wrench used to hold the opposite side its not the slip clutch.

The slip clutch would be the weak link in this if the knives are still sharp.

 

[Ricn]

Having a Woodmaxx myself, I find the fact WM folks offer you no help to this situation very disturbing; can't see a better way to lose potential customers than refusing to help a new buyer with an issue such as this. I respect you feeling of not wanting to mention the manufacturer, but things as this should be addressed quickly and honestly. Were I the seller, the last place to have my customers say I gave them no help is the Net and as D2cat has stated, not that much to go wrong. I wish you well in solving this hopefully simple fix once you determine the problem; lucky for us all that TBN is here with lots of smart folks, many who have seen so much in their own travels. BTW- Beautiful place you have.

Ricn