Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[leonz]

I'm sure this has been covered here before, but I did a search and can't find it and I don't want to read 290 pages of posts.

What size belts do the Value Leader EFG155 flails have? I can get a new set of stock belts from Betsco for ~$50 shipped but they don't list dimensions and I was thinking it would be worth upgrading based on how much abuse my mower takes. I'm separated from my tractor and mower for awhile and I'd like to put an order in before I'd be able to pull a belt and measure.

Does anybody have a source and part number for kevlar replacements?

I was working on clearing a friend's very overgrown pasture and managed to spin the belts a couple times in 8' tall brush. The belts still look OK, but it reminded me that I should have spares before I use up all their smoke.

=====================================================================

UGH!!!! That is why you back over that crap first unless you have a flail crop shredder!!!, Then you take half cuts as long as the mower is set up correctly. That is also why I explain in great detail the work involved and why you need to read all 290 pages.


Order a set of thier stock belts "UGH", and put store them in a black garbage bag as spares ONLY.


ALL V belts are "Metric" so there is no need for Voodoo or Hoodah incantations, dried chicken bones wrapped in strands of hair or special potions ordered from Madam Soudafre from Martinique needed.

The V Belt Measurement is properly branded in the V belt Carcass/top layer. This is the total V belt length in "Millimeters" there is NO NEED indeed to panic or out think this V belt business as the Kevlar belts s are going to cost you a bit more anyway.

The V Belt Letter Designation Sizing is the cross section of the belt and to fit a specific V belt pulley size

if you smoke belts your mowing too fast or too low on your first pass and that is not good.

 

[Parkanzky]

=====================================================================

UGH!!!! That is why you back over that crap first unless you have a flail crop shredder!!!, Then you take half cuts as long as the mower is set up correctly. That is also why I explain in great detail the work involved and why you need to read all 290 pages.


Order a set of thier stock belts "UGH", and put store them in a black garbage bag as spares ONLY.


ALL V belts are "Metric" so there is no need for Voodoo or Hoodah incantations, dried chicken bones wrapped in strands of hair or special potions ordered from Madam Soudafre from Martinique needed.

The V Belt Measurement is properly branded in the V belt Carcass/top layer. This is the total V belt length in "Millimeters" there is NO NEED indeed to panic or out think this V belt business as the Kevlar belts s are going to cost you a bit more anyway.

The V Belt Letter Designation Sizing is the cross section of the belt and to fit a specific V belt pulley size

if you smoke belts your mowing too fast or too low on your first pass and that is not good.

A bunch of flowery words and nothing helpful...

I did back into the foliage with the mower at least a foot off the ground. As I said, I abuse the mower. I was in thick brush that was so thick that it was stopping my tractor. Dense stands of ~2" Willow saplings.

I also said that I don't have access to my equipment right now and was hoping someone could give me the size so that I can place an order.

 

[leonz]

A bunch of flowery words and nothing helpful...

I did back into the foliage with the mower at least a foot off the ground. As I said, I abuse the mower. I was in thick brush that was so thick that it was stopping my tractor. Dense stands of ~2" Willow saplings.

I also said that I don't have access to my equipment right now and was hoping someone could give me the size so that I can place an order.

==========================================================================

I fully understand what you said. I am only trying to help you.

These flowery words are going to tell you that your flail mower was not designed for
heavy forest brush and will not shred 2 inch willow saplings well even though they are a
soft wood weed tree species of timber.

Several of the forum members have this mower and will check in with the size soon.

 

[whirly]

...
I was working on clearing a friend's very overgrown pasture and managed to spin the belts a couple times in 8' tall brush. The belts still look OK, but it reminded me that I should have spares before I use up all their smoke.

Check your belt tensioner is adjusted properly.

I have just one C51 belt running my Mott72 and smoked a couple of belts before I realized the tensioner spring was weak. Replaced the spring and it will now stop my 47 PTO HP tractor before it starts to spin.

Just my 2 cents worth and YMMV.

 

[Parkanzky]

Check your belt tensioner is adjusted properly.

I have just one C51 belt running my Mott72 and smoked a couple of belts before I realized the tensioner spring was weak. Replaced the spring and it will now stop my 47 PTO HP tractor before it starts to spin.

Just my 2 cents worth and YMMV.

I did check the tension and we're good there. The Value Leader flails don't have a spring tensioner. You just move the upper pulley on a piece of all-thread.

It was quite a contest between stalling the tractor and spinning the belts, but the spinning belts won. A lot of the pasture I was reclaiming is under 6-8" of water, so everything was soaked. That probably contributed to the slipping belts.

 

[whirly]

I did check the tension and we're good there. The Value Leader flails don't have a spring tensioner. You just move the upper pulley on a piece of all-thread.

It was quite a contest between stalling the tractor and spinning the belts, but the spinning belts won. A lot of the pasture I was reclaiming is under 6-8" of water, so everything was soaked. That probably contributed to the slipping belts.

We get 8-10" of rain almost every month and the grass is almost always Wet AND Green. We sometimes get a month of not being able to drive the tractor in the pastures due to heavy rain and Hamakua Mud. So when we get a few days of dry weather, the grass is often 10-12" high and dense.

The real problem is the wet grass piling up in front of the mower 'cuz it's too heavy to be thrown back then bogging down the flail blades.

Fortunately, this was your friends lot and hopefully you don't have the same issues on yours.

We could have a discussion on Slip/Stall but I chose the stall and listen to the engine while mowing. It has taken some time to differentiate between "almost gonna stall" and "it's really gonna stall" but I start off with the roller all the way down and when it "almost stalls" I stop and raise it a few inches. After that the going is easy but a second pass is in order with the roller on the ground.

Now you still don't know what belts to buy but I hope this helped .... if not I got my typing exercise in today

 

[TurtleCreekFarm]

Hum, you may want to get one of these.



My new flail came with a slip clutch pto shaft. I figured it was to save the gear box from a improper high speed pto engagement but it may also save the belts in a bog down situation.

 

[LarJea]

If you go to EBAY and search for BETSCO EFG155 series flail mower v belt you will find part #GB-T1154-97 or 17x940 $24.00 for two or $36.00 for three. If you have a question, you can ask at bottom of ad or just call them.

 

[Parkanzky]

If you go to EBAY and search for BETSCO EFG155 series flail mower v belt you will find part #GB-T1154-97 or 17x940 $24.00 for two or $36.00 for three. If you have a question, you can ask at bottom of ad or just call them.

I've seen those, but lots of people here seem to upgrade to kevlar when they replace belts. I was hoping to do that.

 

[LarJea]

I've seen those, but lots of people here seem to upgrade to kevlar when they replace belts. I was hoping to do that.

Ok, appears the size is 17X940MM. BETSCO may know of Kevlar replacements if no one here knows where to get them.

 

[IslandTractor]

Ok, appears the size is 17X940MM. BETSCO may know of Kevlar replacements if no one here knows where to get them.

Check Gates. They make just about every size imaginable and produce high quality belts of all sorts including Kevlar.

My original Caroni belts lasted 1.5 seasons. Gates Kevlar replacements lasted 6 until one of the three came off the pulley. I replaced all three.

Paradoxically, the problem with Gates belts in this application is that they last so long it doesn't make sense to keep a spare set around for five years as just natural aging of the unused belts becomes an issue.

 

[Parkanzky]

Ok, appears the size is 17X940MM. BETSCO may know of Kevlar replacements if no one here knows where to get them.

Excellent, thanks!

 

[Parkanzky]

Check Gates. They make just about every size imaginable and produce high quality belts of all sorts including Kevlar.

My original Caroni belts lasted 1.5 seasons. Gates Kevlar replacements lasted 6 until one of the three came off the pulley. I replaced all three.

Paradoxically, the problem with Gates belts in this application is that they last so long it doesn't make sense to keep a spare set around for five years as just natural aging of the unused belts becomes an issue.

Mine are still functioning fine. So the kevlar will be the spares until I really wreck one or more of the original belts. Then, if any survive, they'll become the spares.

 

[IslandTractor]

Mine are still functioning fine. So the kevlar will be the spares until I really wreck one or more of the original belts. Then, if any survive, they'll become the spares.

I'd suggest you switch to the new ones now and keep the current used belts as temporary spares. Then you can order a fresh set of Gates spares a few years from now rather than have your spares be shop worn.

 

[lennyzx11]

Guys, you think this is worth going to check out? It's about 60 miles from me.

I've never been exposed to a flail mower. I read through this thread and they seem interesting.
I have a LP 6ft rotary mower and an LP 5 ft finishing mower already though.

Just the price seemed cheap for what the numbers are new and the used prices you guys have posted periodically.

No I don't need it. Just not sure if I WANT it!

Thanks,


old 6 foot finishing mower

 

[IslandTractor]

Interesting. Obviously very old and stored under cloud shelter but the metal bits seem straight and the roller is undented. The knives look worn so I'd say it has had considerable use but not abuse. Lack of any safety shield over belts indicates it is either as old as it looks (?50's or 60's) or someone removed them.

I don't recognize the brand (check with Leonz) but it's undoubtably US made so wear parts should be available. $300 isn't dirt cheap considering the work and materials necessary to bring it back but if you need a summer project and can risk the $300 plus another $200 in belts, knives, shackles, blasting media and paint, it should be an interesting project. Who knows, there might be a fully functional flail under all the grime and rust!

 

[leonz]

Shazzam!!!,

It appears you are looking at a MOTT INTERSTATER my friend.

If you have the time I would invest in it and with little TLC you
will have a flail mower that will outperform any rotary.

 

[Fallon]

I'd jump on it for $300. I paid $100 for my 917 in worse shape. Took $400-500 for new knives, belts & PTO shaft. Ended up cutting out part of the hood that was dented & doing an ugly patch job. Still need to weld up a huge crack in the hood along a weld to one of the spars. I much prefer it to my near new 5' Land Pride rotary cutter.

 

[lennyzx11]

Thanks. I've called and left message to see it. You guys think my Kubota 3301/HST with 26 hp at PTO can handle it ok?
Can you tell what kind of cut the drum and knives are set up for?
Thanks

 

[Hoochy]

You may have to put some money up front to get it going, afterwards, it is relatively inexpensive to maintain as long as you take care of it and dont abuse it.
My alamo looked like **** but with some sweat, paint, new knives, belt and a paint job, looks great and mows like no other. Very pleased.