Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[Hilbilly]

I have a rotary mower (brush hog type) and find it too dangerous to use anywhere near the house or people. It flings large rocks a looooong way. I have some area around the house that is rough and hilly that I opened up last year. Now there is small brush growing back and I want to cut it but NOT with the rotary mower. Far too dangerous. I raked it numerous times but rocks just keep popping up every pass. I hand picked most of the them but there are still more lurking. So would a flail mower be a good application here?

There are some areas with a fairly steep sidehill and I'm concerned about doing that with the tractor. My Bobcat would be a better machine for this but it does not have a driveshaft. Is there a way to add a hydraulic motor to one of the shaft driven mowers, as a second drive mechanism. ie use the mower with either the tractor or the Bobcat?

 

[Xfaxman]

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There are some areas with a fairly steep sidehill and I'm concerned about doing that with the tractor. My Bobcat would be a better machine for this but it does not have a driveshaft. Is there a way to add a hydraulic motor to one of the shaft driven mowers, as a second drive mechanism. ie use the mower with either the tractor or the Bobcat?

Bobcat makes several types of machines including utility vehicles.

I will take a wild guess that you have a skid steer. Bobcat and many other companies sell hydraulic flail mowers for skid steers, but they are high dollar.

And yes there are hydraulic PTO adapters available.

 

[IslandTractor]

I have a rotary mower (brush hog type) and find it too dangerous to use anywhere near the house or people. It flings large rocks a looooong way. I have some area around the house that is rough and hilly that I opened up last year. Now there is small brush growing back and I want to cut it but NOT with the rotary mower. Far too dangerous. I raked it numerous times but rocks just keep popping up every pass. I hand picked most of the them but there are still more lurking. So would a flail mower be a good application here?

There are some areas with a fairly steep sidehill and I'm concerned about doing that with the tractor. My Bobcat would be a better machine for this but it does not have a driveshaft. Is there a way to add a hydraulic motor to one of the shaft driven mowers, as a second drive mechanism. ie use the mower with either the tractor or the Bobcat?

Probably cheaper and better to just buy a PowerTrac or Ventrac articulated tractor/mower. A PT425 would handle just about any sidehill that a reasonable person would want. If you need more they make specialized hill mowers that require use of an accessory parachute in case you fall off.

 

[Hilbilly]

Bobcat makes several types of machines including utility vehicles.

I will take a wild guess that you have a skid steer. Bobcat and many other companies sell hydraulic flail mowers for skid steers, but they are high dollar.

And yes there are hydraulic PTO adapters available.

You're right it is a skid steer and I should have been more specific. Just used to calling it that around here.

I think anything for a skid steer is about double the price for a similar tractor attachment, or more. The hyd PTO adapter you speak of, is it one of those hdyraulic pumps that attaches to the PTO or is this something else and if so where can I get some more info on it.

 

[Hilbilly]

Probably cheaper and better to just buy a PowerTrac or Ventrac articulated tractor/mower. A PT425 would handle just about any sidehill that a reasonable person would want. If you need more they make specialized hill mowers that require use of an accessory parachute in case you fall off.

I'm not familiar with those machines. I will do a search. Are the parachutes standard equipment.:laughing:

 

[IslandTractor]

I'm not familiar with those machines. I will do a search. Are the parachutes standard equipment.:laughing:

There is a subforum here on TBN for PowerTrac. Very enthusiastic group. I almost bought a PT425 myself before finally running across a great deal on a big rear wheel tractor. If PT hadn't been closed over Memorial Day a decade ago I'd own one.

 

[Xfaxman]

You're right it is a skid steer and I should have been more specific. Just used to calling it that around here.

Yep, I have owned 5 different Bobcats and none were skid steers.

I think anything for a skid steer is about double the price for a similar tractor attachment, or more. The hyd PTO adapter you speak of, is it one of those hdyraulic pumps that attaches to the PTO or is this something else and if so where can I get some more info on it.

It is a hydraulic motor that drives the PTO shaft. A lot of companies make them, here is one from a site sponsor: Skid Steer Quick Attach Adapter – Skid Steer Solutions

Or you can buy the motor and make your own: Surplus Center

 

[Hilbilly]

I like the hydraulic motor idea. Ever since making my grapple I'm hooked on fabricating. Now I've got myself into machining. That's why I haven't been on this forum for a while. I bought a metal lathe and a milling machine and I'm now learning how to use those. Made some new pins and bushings for my Bobcat ........... I mean skid steer. Might be time to make an adapter for the skid steer to allow using the tractor implements.

Do you guys think running a 3PTH flail mower on a skid steer, using the hydraulic motor, would work. The skid steer would have to be run in reverse to use it (which I don't like) or the flail mower would be going backwards to normal travel direction.

 

[IslandTractor]

Flails don't cut as well when backing up so reversing orientation might not work as well.

I routinely cut brush by backing into it but then drive forward to reposition which cuts again in forward orientation. That works fine but isn't the same thing as mowing in reverse.

 

[Xfaxman]

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Do you guys think running a 3PTH flail mower on a skid steer, using the hydraulic motor, would work. The skid steer would have to be run in reverse to use it (which I don't like) or the flail mower would be going backwards to normal travel direction.

Yep, it will work: Rockhound Brush Hound 72" Brush Flail Mower Attachment for Skid Steer Loader | Skid Steer Solutions

If you are going to fabricate the setup, Put the SSQA plate on the back of the 3 point flail, so the "Bobcat" is pushing it forward and a wheel out front. Couple the motor directly to the gear box, no PTO shaft.

Like my brush hog on my "Bobcat":