Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[IslandTractor]

Here's the first video with the Sicma/Phoenix TE220 (87" cut). I think I need to adjust the roller height a little bit, but as you can see, it has no problem going through weeds a couple of feet tall.




The quality might be better here:

https://youtu.be/4h6uBp8X-Ts

Nice mower. I see from the photos you posted that you elected to set up the mower to be midline. After you use it for a while you might reconsider that. One efficiency issue with mowing is not overlapping too little or too much. I find with my Caroni mounted midline that I essentially have to guess where to put the front tire to get a minimal but adequate overlap. However, with my mower offset, I know that putting the left front tire exactly at the border of previously cut and uncut grass, I will get a few inches overlap and my offset right mower will take the biggest possible "bite" out of the unmown area. This works best when mowing in squares or circles rather than back and forth obviously as it isn't that easy to judge exactly where to put the right front tire on the return trip. I've sometimes thought I should make up a guide wire or something for the right side but as I generally mow in big continuous loops I just always turn right.

 

[IslandTractor]

Here's the first video with the Sicma/Phoenix TE220 (87" cut). I think I need to adjust the roller height a little bit, but as you can see, it has no problem going through weeds a couple of feet tall.




The quality might be better here:

https://youtu.be/4h6uBp8X-Ts

Nice mower. I see from the photos you posted that you elected to set up the mower to be midline. After you use it for a while you might reconsider that. One efficiency issue with mowing is not overlapping too little or too much. I find with my Caroni mounted midline that I essentially have to guess where to put the front tire to get a minimal but adequate overlap. However, with my mower offset, I know that putting the left front tire exactly at the border of previously cut and uncut grass, I will get a few inches overlap and my offset right mower will take the biggest possible "bite" out of the unmown area. This works best when mowing in squares or circles rather than back and forth obviously as it isn't that easy to judge exactly where to put the right front tire on the return trip. I've sometimes thought I should make up a guide wire or something for the right side but as I generally mow in big continuous loops I just always turn right.

 

[GManBart]

Nice mower. I see from the photos you posted that you elected to set up the mower to be midline. After you use it for a while you might reconsider that. One efficiency issue with mowing is not overlapping too little or too much. I find with my Caroni mounted midline that I essentially have to guess where to put the front tire to get a minimal but adequate overlap. However, with my mower offset, I know that putting the left front tire exactly at the border of previously cut and uncut grass, I will get a few inches overlap and my offset right mower will take the biggest possible "bite" out of the unmown area. This works best when mowing in squares or circles rather than back and forth obviously as it isn't that easy to judge exactly where to put the right front tire on the return trip. I've sometimes thought I should make up a guide wire or something for the right side but as I generally mow in big continuous loops I just always turn right.

Yeah, I was thinking along those lines when I set it up, but figured I'd give it a try midline to start....easy enough to change. I was mostly eager to try it out and knew it would work that way

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I was hoping the video would keep going so we could see you run over that tree and chop it up with the new flail.

 

[GManBart]

I was hoping the video would keep going so we could see you run over that tree and chop it up with the new flail.

LOL....that's why I was giving my wife the "cut" sign to stop recording

 

[KenB2920]

New blades!!!!

 

[KenB2920]

 

[KenB2920]

 

[smilinjak]

Mister Island tractor I just found this thread so started at the beginning. I saw that you posted in 2008 , some 7 years ago. Do you still have the same mower you had then? if so what, if any problems have you run into? I am considering a Caroni 16oo B. I have a lot of trees to go around and many of them are close together so want the more compact width. Would you buy a caroni again?
Smilinjak

 

[IslandTractor]

Mister Island tractor I just found this thread so started at the beginning. I saw that you posted in 2008 , some 7 years ago. Do you still have the same mower you had then? if so what, if any problems have you run into? I am considering a Caroni 16oo B. I have a lot of trees to go around and many of them are close together so want the more compact width. Would you buy a caroni again? Smilinjak

Yep. I have the same Caroni 1900. Yes, I'd buy it again.

Problems: 1) First set of belts lasted only a couple seasons. Second Kevlar set (Gates) is still fine. 2) clevises that hold the blades break pretty easily. There are discussions in this thread about using modified Flailmaster clevises which last a lot longer. 3) gearbox burps oil through the vent cap but other than the mess that is not a big deal.

Just make sure you keep the bearings greased and be prepared to replace a few blades each season and the Caroni will serve you well. Not as maintenance free as a bush hog but you get a much nicer cut and it is far safer to use around people and dwellings.