Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

shackmaster · Jan 13, 2016

I'm a new member but a long time reader. How is the ground speed with a flail mower vs. a rotory cut of the same width? I do a lot of cutting for food plots and normally they are cut once per year, so vegitation can sometimes be tall.

IslandTractor · Jan 13, 2016

shackmaster said:
I'm a new member but a long time reader. How is the ground speed with a flail mower vs. a rotory cut of the same width? I do a lot of cutting for food plots and normally they are cut once per year, so vegitation can sometimes be tall.

I've never actually measured but I tend to go a little slower with flail because I'm looking for a better cut. With a rotary I'm just knocking stuff down.

Alien · Jan 13, 2016

There are a number of videos on you tube that may give you some idea. The first vid is examples of what the mower is capable of.

Clicking the link will take you to the you tube site with more vids

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caHg2FvF3SM

PRCWI · Jan 13, 2016

I've found for me ground speed is pretty similar but my rotary mower is 5' and my flail is 7'4" and the result of my cut and the forgiveness in rough terrain means I almost never use the rotary mower.

smilinjak · Jan 14, 2016

sodamo said:
Well, managed to lose my detailed response

Still original belts, still in great shape.
Replaced the two rear roller bearings a couple years ago, only one went bad. No zerk for lube.
Last year replaced the bearing on shaft from gear box. My fault as I hadn't checked the lube in a while.
Main shaft bearings tight and true, couple shots of grease and broken hammers/blades replaced ASAP.
All originals bolts and nuts.
3rd set of blades. I used the first set of hammers as ground engaging to even out wild pig rooting.

Betsco has been great support. Reason I bought from them again.
David Sent from my iPad Air using TractorByNet

Thanks for the response Dave. I think that clinches it. Sounds like a quality machine, I will get my order in as soon as the money accumulates.

Smilinjak

Fallon · Jan 14, 2016

PRCWI said:
I've found for me ground speed is pretty similar but my rotary mower is 5' and my flail is 7'4" and the result of my cut and the forgiveness in rough terrain means I almost never use the rotary mower.

Same here, my travel speed is lower with the 7' flail, but I get a better cut in about the same time or less than my 5' rotary cutter.

Alien · Jan 15, 2016

The flail mower arrived for my panther finally.

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It arrived in a nice steel frame. Here I am setting it up.

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Tried it but it was a bit low so I raised it up one notch and wow. I have already mowed a paddock with it. Fantastic job.

All Dirty

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Hoochy · Jan 15, 2016

Nice mower Alien.:cool2:

Alien · Jan 15, 2016

Thanks. There is a small fault. If you look at the assembly photo you can see several yellow plastic plugs. These are removed if you want to fit a hydraulic side slip assy.
However, after a half hour mowing, they were all gone. Yep, down the paddock somewhere. Obviously debris drove them out from underneath. Doesn't appear as if anything comes up through the holes though. Not an issue. I am just surprised by the fact. I may put some little dome head bolts in the holes.

Alien · Jan 16, 2016

Well, after a couple of days of use I must say I am extremely impressed with the mower. I have thrown everything at it from Lantana, saplings, dried up stick debris, dirt, stones, and even some small stumps that were hard to see in the grass.
The mower has come through with flying colours so far.
I did regular inspections of the hammers and they look as good as new so far.
I re-checked the tension on the belts and greased it a couple of times so far. The only other minor thing was I re-positioned my 3PL so it sat better.
My paddocks never looked better. Still got a ways to go but......

I even got my chainsaw out and cut a lot of low branches off some trees so I could drive in under them easier. My place is starting to look like a city park.

I would have no hesitation recommending this mower.

Jack Yuan · Jan 24, 2016

CCWKen said:
I'm curious. Do the current line of flail mowers drive the cutter drum at PTO speed or does the gear box over-drive it? I've noticed that most have only one drive belt. My flail has three drive belts but I suspect that's because the larger drive pulley over-drives the drum pulley about 2:1 or there about.

In fact, its upper pulley outer diameter is 170mm, its lower pulley outer diameter is 120mm, so its ratio is 17:12. This mower is called EFGC flail mower in China Alibaba, you can find many of them, but it is difficult for you to identify if good or bad.

Jack Yuan · Jan 24, 2016

Alien said:
Well, after a couple of days of use I must say I am extremely impressed with the mower. I have thrown everything at it from Lantana, saplings, dried up stick debris, dirt, stones, and even some small stumps that were hard to see in the grass.
The mower has come through with flying colours so far.
I did regular inspections of the hammers and they look as good as new so far.
I re-checked the tension on the belts and greased it a couple of times so far. The only other minor thing was I re-positioned my 3PL so it sat better.
My paddocks never looked better. Still got a ways to go but......

I even got my chainsaw out and cut a lot of low branches off some trees so I could drive in under them easier. My place is starting to look like a city park.
I would have no hesitation recommending this mower.

Hi Alien, this mower is from a factory in my city, can you take a photo for me about its gear box brand? I would like to see what gear box they are using now. Is it "JCTT"? I m quite familiar with this mower.

Alien · Jan 30, 2016

Will do Jack, Without getting notifications any more, I missed this request. Later today when I wake up properly....

Edit

Nipped out and had a look. Yes, It is a JCTT. If you want a photo I will do that later.

I have done quite a bit more with it already and love the way it shreds lantana etc. It really does a great job.

D2Cat · Feb 1, 2016

Neighbor has a Ford flail mower he offered to sell. The tag is beat up and old! Looks like model: 1 22-I08 and serial number looks like I (or L) 958. He said he used it, but got a bigger mower. Looks like it's been over the mountain a couple of times!!

Anyone have an opinion of this model. I need something for a 30HP tractor to cut some buck brush. Thanks.

D2Cat · Feb 1, 2016

Neighbor has a Ford flail mower he offered to sell. The tag is beat up and old! Looks like model: 1 22-I08 and serial number looks like I (or L) 958. He said he used it, but got a bigger mower. Looks like it's been over the mountain a couple of times!!

Anyone have an opinion of this model. I need something for a 30HP tractor to cut some buck brush. Thanks.

KenB2920 · Feb 5, 2016

D2Cat said:
Neighbor has a Ford flail mower he offered to sell. The tag is beat up and old! Looks like model: 1 22-I08 and serial number looks like I (or L) 958. He said he used it, but got a bigger mower. Looks like it's been over the mountain a couple of times!! Anyone have an opinion of this model. I need something for a 30HP tractor to cut some buck brush. Thanks.

Can you post a photo?

Fallon · Feb 5, 2016

KenB2920 said:
Can you post a photo?

Ya, would help a bit with photos.

If its anything like the old thrashed 917 I got for $100 & spent $400 & 2 weekends on, it will be way worth it.

Xfaxman · Feb 5, 2016

D2Cat said:
Neighbor has a Ford flail mower he offered to sell. The tag is beat up and old! Looks like model: 1 22-I08 and serial number looks like I (or L) 958. He said he used it, but got a bigger mower. Looks like it's been over the mountain a couple of times!!

Anyone have an opinion of this model. I need something for a 30HP tractor to cut some buck brush. Thanks.

Does it look like this one on eBay? Ford Model 22 108 Red Flail Mower Demo Video | eBay