Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[Molalla1]

You need 6 hp per foot minimum . . . "old Massey 150" with 38 hp and probably dose not have anymore is a little lacking to say the least :confused3:.

 

[Fallon]

The material has a lot to do with it. Not a lot if thick lush plants here in Colorado. My 32 engine HP (probably 25 PTO) L3200 did ok with a 7' 917. It struggled with the really green thick patches that were 3' high & went slow but got the job done.

 

[Industrial Toys]

That's what I was thinking. PTO vs engine hp. Our commy made 42PTO hp Universal (Fiat) ran our 6 foot 917 without issue.

There comes a point where no amount of hp will deal with high lush vegetation. I just waited for stuff like that to dry out and cut it once a year in the fall. Or, you have to keep on top of it.

 

[D2Cat]

Might just shift down a gear for the first round, then don't take a full cut when the tractor can't cut the full width.

 

[Lnk]

Also depends on what blades you have. Side slicers seem to require less hp than scoop blades. Not sure why, but that has been my experience. Thick green grass will challenge even my 70 hp deutz. I have to slow down, a lot. The flail just can't chew and eject thick green grass fast enough. Either wait until dry, or mow more often. 38 up may not seem like enough, but it will work, just not fast, at least until you get your fields in control.

Good luck.

 

[thoner7]

I need to cut thick grass and weeds about 3' high once a year in early July. Then I'll cut it when it's about 16" the rest of the year.



I don't think that 6hp per foot is a good rule of thumb for my conditions. First gear on my current tractor is too far to cut the tall stuff.

The mower came with the airplane wing style knives. How much would I realistically gain by switching?

Planning on buying a new tractor anyways. Used. the 40+ hp tractors used seem to be roughly the same price as the 60-70 hp ones. So $$$ isn't the issue. They would just be bigger/heavier, and I'd prefer to stay smaller.

 

[Lnk]

I need to cut thick grass and weeds about 3' high once a year in early July. Then I'll cut it when it's about 16" the rest of the year.



I don't think that 6hp per foot is a good rule of thumb for my conditions. First gear on my current tractor is too far to cut the tall stuff.

The mower came with the airplane wing style knives. How much would I realistically gain by switching?

Planning on buying a new tractor anyways. Used. the 40+ hp tractors used seem to be roughly the same price as the 60-70 hp ones. So $$$ isn't the issue. They would just be bigger/heavier, and I'd prefer to stay smaller.

How big an area are you talking about? Also, where abouts are you?

 

[zonedar]

Hi all,

Been reading this thread the past couple of days and finally pulled the trigger and stopped lurking. Haven't got through the thread yet. But I shall endeavor to persevere. Thanks to all the contributors, BTW!

Recently purchased a B2601 HST. Thinking I need to spring for a flail mower. We live on five acres of timber (Doug fir and maples). Forest floor isn't too bad but there is some debris from thinning/logging we had done as well as blackberries and assorted brush. Not real thick. Branches are all pretty much less than a few inches. We live in a bowl and the grade in places can get pretty steep (I'll be real careful).

Wondering what size (and brand) flail mower is practical. Tractor tools direct recommends Ibex TX52 Flail Mower for the B series. Is this going to be practical and would I be able to run hammers if I decided to go that way.


Thanks!

-Steve

 

[thoner7]

How big an area are you talking about? Also, where abouts are you?

I'm in Western NY. Probably 10-12 acres.

I'm also not opposed to selling this one and buying a 6 footer either. But with that I'd still want like 45+ at the PTO to be safe, so I'm still looking at the same tractors basically.

 

[ronjhall]

Hi all,

Been reading this thread the past couple of days and finally pulled the trigger and stopped lurking. Haven't got through the thread yet. But I shall endeavor to persevere. Thanks to all the contributors, BTW!

Recently purchased a B2601 HST. Thinking I need to spring for a flail mower. We live on five acres of timber (Doug fir and maples). Forest floor isn't too bad but there is some debris from thinning/logging we had done as well as blackberries and assorted brush. Not real thick. Branches are all pretty much less than a few inches. We live in a bowl and the grade in places can get pretty steep (I'll be real careful).

Wondering what size (and brand) flail mower is practical. Tractor tools direct recommends Ibex TX52 Flail Mower for the B series. Is this going to be practical and would I be able to run hammers if I decided to go that way.


Thanks!

-Steve

I have a Woodmaxx FM62-H for my B2910. It has 22 hp pto. I have hammers and Y blades. Hammer's can bog the engine down where the Y's did not. 52" should be about right for your 17.5 hp pto. Ibex says the TX52 is for a 20 to 40 hp tractor. Does not state that is pto hp. Woodmaxx states there 54" flail mower is for 18 to 40 pto hp.