Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[TheFarmerInAdell]

With my Alamo SHD88 I usually run towards the top end of mid range on the HST. Not sure the exact speed, but it was about all my seat could handle due to the bumps. It seems to cut well at that speed. In fact, I mowed my lawn with it at about that speed and was satisfied with the cut (wife was, too).

 

[JWR]

I run an Alamo SHD-88 7.5ft flail alternating with a 7ft Bush Hog on an 81 horse MF2660 low profile tractor. So many variations it is hard to make a blanket statement. Comments below are based on my "speed decal" on the tractor fender, not that I ever know at the time how fast I am going. I have a 4speed stick with high and low ranges.

In very rough areas, ruts, and very steep areas I am running a lot slower and some times almost creeping. In general nearly all of my cutting is light brush, tall grass, and what people tend to call "clipping pasture fields." Most of my slowest pasture cutting is done at 3 to 4 mph (std rpm in low range/high gear.) In flatter and smoother areas , probably 75% of my time, I run about 5-6 mph (std rpm, high range/ low gear.) There are are some areas that are smoother and cut more frequently where I run 8-9mph (using high range/ 2nd gear). I never run faster than that with either the hog or the flail.

I find that roughness of the ground is a bigger factor than anything else. Overall my impression is that I can cut faster with the flail than the hog but not by much. The 6" wider flail is an almost negligible difference in width of the two machines. The tractor doesn't care as it is big enough to run however fast I feel comfortable and it pays very little attention to the mower. Because my flail is offset around 2ft to the right I tend to use it in some areas (getting close to fences & ditches) more than others.

I do find the flail is not the right tool when there are a lot of downed limbs or rocks, either one. The hog will definitely ride through that sort of problem area with less problem than the flail. I've broken cutters off the flail 3 or 4 times in 2 years trying to cope with 2" downed limbs and once with a 6 or 7" rock. I've never seen anything stop the Bush Hog but I am pretty careful what I cut. .

 

[Lnk]

I run as fast as I feel comfortable. Mid range, 3rd gear usually. I don't know how fast that is, but any faster and I bump around too much. If I got a patch of really tall, thick grass, I slow down and let it eat. I don't have any surprises as I have already mowed all my areas and found all the wire already. Also agree 6 inch width difference is meaningless as I can't place the flail at any speed that precisely and tend to err on the overlap. I have pulled a 10' brush cutter and didn't run any faster or get done any quicker than the 9 foot flail.

 

[hunt4570]

I've "lusted" over a new flail mower for a long time. It always seems to be just off the top of my list of "needs"......and I have a good Bush Hog Rotary Cutter. That Woodmax 78H kinda tears at me and my resistance is caving more everyday.

Question to those of you with a 30 PTO HP tractor and Flail mower experience......Is 30 PTO HP enough for the WM 78H? It would cover my 66" width but I fear I am at the edge on the HP needs. I would keep my 60" Rotary for heavy brush and use the Flail mainly for grassy trails and food plots (clover and rye / oats)???

I've been back and forth on Hammers vs Knives.....but lately seem to be in the Knives camp (as I think I'd get a better mulch). Decisions / decisions.

Being able to reach to the right an extra foot or so would make my cab happy on my brushy trails and around my buildings......and the finely chopped mulch would sure be good for my soils.

OH.....and, how reliable and bullet-proof is that hydraulic side shift on these Woodmax flails. I've not read of problems. Nice feature for my purposes.

Thanks for any inputs.....I've been reading this thread for a loong time.

I have a Kubota 3540 hydro, tractor data lists my pto at 28 hp. I've been running a Caroni 73" for about 4 years now and seems like a pretty good match. Real thick stuff I have to slow down a bit but for mowing "grassy" trails and fields I'm usually going about 3 ish mph. I have the knives on mine. Its offset maybe a foot or so with a manual move to 18-20" offset if I want. Seems like a decent machine. Don't know about the Woodmaxx other than I have a Woodmaxx sawmill which seems well built. Good luck on your endeavor..

 

[hunt4570]

What speed do most of you run when flail mowing areas like pasture maintenance (not cutting overgrown plots)?

I try to run 3.5 MPH with my Ford 917 (74") on my IH 424, but 2nd gear 2.5 seems to give a cleaner cut, but is very slow.

Just got done mowing some of my fields, seems to cut best with cruise at around 3.0 or so.. thicker or lighter areas I'll adjust that some.

 

[dieselscout80]

With my Alamo SHD88 I usually run towards the top end of mid range on the HST. Not sure the exact speed, but it was about all my seat could handle due to the bumps. It seems to cut well at that speed. In fact, I mowed my lawn with it at about that speed and was satisfied with the cut (wife was, too).

Tractor Data shows 7.7 is the top speed in mid range for the MF 2706E.
TractorData.com Massey Ferguson 276E tractor transmission information

That's clipping along at a good speed say 5.5 to 6 MPH.

I won't be able to do that due the terrain.

 

[prof fate]

So reading back the last pages...It looks like the Woodmax is the current go to for flail mowers?

I would like something that has:
hydraulic offset
72" or wider cut
reliable
low maint
quick attach compatible
good parts availability

in the budget area....caroni is good I hear and about the same price. maaschio makes the land pride..you know, if you have $8k to spend. I'm sure for that price they're better...they'd have to be.

 

[prof fate]

terrain is usually my limiting factor more so that the HP or cutting ability.

It's why th efast/commercial zero turns have suspensions!

Tractor Data shows 7.7 is the top speed in mid range for the MF 2706E.
TractorData.com Massey Ferguson 276E tractor transmission information

That's clipping along at a good speed say 5.5 to 6 MPH.

I won't be able to do that due the terrain.

 

[leonz]

Hello prof fate,

Kubota/landpride stopped importing the Maschio flailmowers in land pride paint shortly after the Kubota folks purchased the landpride company.

If one wished to they could still purchase the Maschio orchard and vineyard flail mowers for all their mowing work.

It is a real shame as the Maschio group makes excellent farm machinery.

 

[Molalla1]

Hello prof fate,

Kubota/landpride stopped importing the Maschio flailmowers in land pride paint shortly after the Kubota folks purchased the landpride company.

If one wished to they could still purchase the Maschio orchard and vineyard flail mowers for all their mowing work.

It is a real shame as the Maschio group makes excellent farm machinery.

How long have you had your "interest" in Maschio . . . .