Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[dieselscout80]

Yes, it makes the butt look wide. That Alamo seems identical to my SHD88 which makes a 7.5ft wide cut. I got mine at auction for pocket change.

Not sure if I got it for pocket change, but even with gas and buying new knives I have less than $2k in it. Does that sound reasonable?

 

[DieselBound]

Peruzzo Brush Bull 2200. Working width is 7.25'. Recomended HP is 70-110hp, the L4060 has 40. I definitely want more HP at times, but its adequate to get the job done going slow. My 32hp L3200 pulled the 7' Ford 917 ok as well. I appear to be a fan of going wide & slow. Although I don't go to slow as things aren't that thick most of the time. Colorado is dry so we dont have thick grass that really taxes HP. I probably would have a different opinion if I were back in Oregon or what not where they get lots of thick green stuff.

The flail I'm looking at is also 7.25'. I've got the thick green stuff. My NX being 5hp on the shy side of manufacturer's recommendation would you think I should be concerned? First mowing of the year can be pretty tough, in places (5' to 6'); for those I'd still be OK with running the rotary; after that, however, grass height wouldn't really get over 2'.

Slow is pretty much mandatory for me. Lots of trees. Ground isn't real smooth.

 

[JWR]

Not sure if I got it for pocket change, but even with gas and buying new knives I have less than $2k in it. Does that sound reasonable?

I'm sure it is a reasonable value for that investment, if all the bearings are good, etc. Less than half what a new one would cost and the things are made like a tank. I got mine (give away price at public auction, $250 + fees, $300 total.) I had to put on a couple of knives, a new belt, 3 bolts,etc. After some use I had to replace a roller bearing and decided to replace both of them though only one was obviously bad. That cost me $150 per side with tax. Total in the thing now $600 plus spare knives and clevis's and pins. I have a Deere dealer only 20 miles from my farm with a full parts availability for the Alamo because the dealer supports the local State Road people. While parts are high there, the availability and location make up for it. Even there knives and small parts are reasonable.

I had never owned a flail before and did not realize how very useful it would be for my situation (80% clipping pastures.) I'd pay $2K for one in useable shape now but that's because of experience and learning from my inexpensive entry to the idea.

 

[DieselBound]

Not sure if I got it for pocket change, but even with gas and buying new knives I have less than $2k in it. Does that sound reasonable?

What matters is whether you're OK with the costs. You have already shelled out for what you have in which case I figure that you believe so. And the longer it does the job for you without any significant costs then it'll only be more "reasonable." New quality flails of this size are, mostly, $4k and up.

I bought a 6' rotary, a BH26. It looked like heck (still does :laughing. Was used commercially (a guy did lots of clearing- the unit saw LOTS of rocks). Paid $800 for it. Had some repairs done and had to buy a new PTO shaft. Probably have close to $1,300 in it. Can't touch anything like this new for under $3k (closer to $3.2k). Used 6' rotary cutters (other than really flimsy ones) are very rare around here. Market demand and availability matter vis a vis price/cost.

 

[Fallon]

The flail I'm looking at is also 7.25'. I've got the thick green stuff. My NX being 5hp on the shy side of manufacturer's recommendation would you think I should be concerned? First mowing of the year can be pretty tough, in places (5' to 6'); for those I'd still be OK with running the rotary; after that, however, grass height wouldn't really get over 2'.

Slow is pretty much mandatory for me. Lots of trees. Ground isn't real smooth.

I can tell you what works for me in my circumstances. Unfortunately I dont know what that means for your circumstances. It will probably work. I'm WAY under the HP ratings on my flail, you are pretty close.

A flail takes more HP than a rotary, all things being equal. Every time material hits a blade it ears HP. As flails mulch much better re-cutting material as the rotor moves over & as the material flys over the top. Much better mulching action & a smooth carpet of clippings with no clumps, but it does eat a little more HP.

If a 5-6' rotary tops out your HP, a 7' flail really will. You can go slow or do partial passes to compensate. But thick grass really takes flails as there is just a lot of mass to plow through & especially to re-cut repeatedly.

 

[DieselBound]

With the exception of the first mowing and in the tallest stuff, my NX can pretty much drag and cut with the 6' rotary at any speed I can tolerate traveling at (given the fact that it can become quite the bumpy ride).

 

[dieselscout80]

What matters is whether you're OK with the costs. You have already shelled out for what you have in which case I figure that you believe so. And the longer it does the job for you without any significant costs then it'll only be more "reasonable." New quality flails of this size are, mostly, $4k and up.

I bought a 6' rotary, a BH26. It looked like heck (still does :laughing. Was used commercially (a guy did lots of clearing- the unit saw LOTS of rocks). Paid $800 for it. Had some repairs done and had to buy a new PTO shaft. Probably have close to $1,300 in it. Can't touch anything like this new for under $3k (closer to $3.2k). Used 6' rotary cutters (other than really flimsy ones) are very rare around here. Market demand and availability matter vis a vis price/cost.

Well I gave $100 for my Ford 917 and have use it for 10 years, but the hood is rusting out.

If I can get 10 years out of the SHD96 the money will have been well spent. Since the 2k divided by 10 years is only $200 per year.

 

[DieselBound]

10 years is good. My years are different, though. Figure "dog years," so 10 years for you would be 70 for me

 

[Fallon]

Well I gave $100 for my Ford 917 and have use it for 10 years, but the hood is rusting out.

If I can get 10 years out of the SHD96 the money will have been well spent. Since the 2k divided by 10 years is only $200 per year.

I only got 4-5 years out of my $100 917. Put about $400 worth of knives, PTO shaft, belts & bearings into it. Hood is severely cracked & patched. Still keep it as a backup. The new Peruzzo has MANY years to go before it comes close to the same great ROI the 917 gave.

 

[TheFarmerInAdell]

I upgraded my flail mower I got a Alamo SHD96 off of Gov Deals auction. The guy told me it was a 88", but when I measured it the cut is 96".

I was not sure if I was going to be able to pick it up without adding weight, but my tractor picked it up without any added weight. My tractor also spun it up just fine, but I had to order knives, but the Y knives for the Alamo are way less than the ducks foot knives / airplane wings on my Ford 917.

View attachment 667492

PS my tractor asked if it made its butt look wide.

I'm jealous. I wanted an 8' offset Alamo like that. None to be found. Settled for a 88" without offset. Still an awesome mower, but I could really use the offset for mowing my ditch, The county doesn't like to mow my ditch, and I don't blame them.