Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[leonz]

Thanks to everyone who's posted to this thread over the years. A wealth of information. I've been reading and re-reading many of the posts as I make a decision as to the "right" mower for my couple of acres and woods. Bought the Caroni 1500 (59-inch) from Agrisupply and received it this week. Had a chance to use it yesterday and it did exactly what I wanted. Now if it would only quit raining, I could get the place finished. By the way, I bought the gear box dip stick adaptor from British Metrics and the sales person, Mark, new exactly what I was buying it for. He says they don't sell a lot of them but they are all for Caroni Mowers. Thanks Island Tractor, as I believe it was you that sourced that part. Anyway, thanks again to everyone.

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Hello Philinva,


I want to welcome you as the newest member of the Flail Mower Nation.



leonz " flail whisperer"


Less than 18,400 mowers to go for flail mower domination and safe mowing sanity.

"Still Searching for a three point hitch Mott Interstater with the V 4 Wisconsin engine"
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"Once you go flail you never go back"
"Pronovost or not at all"

 

[PhilinVA]

Thanks Leonz,

This has been a great resource for decision-making (head-scratching). For many of us, small property folks, we're not in the position to buy, try it out, and then move on if we don't like it. We're going to live with it. I live in an area where you don't see flails and salespersons don't know anything about them so it was hard to see one first hand. This forum provided a lot of discussion that helped me work to a solution that provides the best balance for me (some brush clearing but decent looking). Thanks.

BTW, don't know why the photos came out sideways, I know I took them standing straight up.

 

[IslandTractor]

Agrisupply had a "setback" on their TM1900 shipment and now will not have my mower in until late June. Let's hope that is as long as I have to wait. Pastures are growing fast right now...

I noticed that AgriSupply's latest catalog made no mention of the TM1900. That explains it. I presume it was a simple order screwup as Caroni is a pretty big company similar to Woods or Landpride.

 

[Swardle]

Agrisupply had a "setback" on their TM1900 shipment and now will not have my mower in until late June. Let's hope that is as long as I have to wait. Pastures are growing fast right now...

On the list as well, think #5, was told late July last week so late June is an improvement

 

[Ozarks Landowner]

Been working on my mystery chopper the last week or so. Never did find out what it was.

I cut off all the weights that was welded to the drum and started static balancing it myself. After getting the weight where i needed it I started welding weights back on and got it pretty dang close.

I decided to make my own mounting system for the knives I ordered from Clean Cutter. I got all the steel cut, mounting holes drilled and the chain links cut and spread. I weighed all the steel attachments and adjusted the ones I needed to. The knives came in yesterday so I put the knives on the link and welded the link to my attachments. A final weighing after welding to make sure the weights were the same and I was ready to install.

I got everything bolted up and hooked it up to the tractor to test my balancing job. I was very surprised to bring the rpm's up to find everything spinning very smooth.

Checked the gear box and it was half full of water and very nasty oil. Cleaned it all out, inspected the gears and filled it with gear oil.

Installed the same two belts that came on it and set the tension.

Now for the test. I took it to a little field I had brush hogged early last week that was already growing back pretty good. Set the cut height and eased into it. I was impressed with the result so I moved on to the real test. A field that I did not brush hog last year full of 2.5 foot tall buck brush, serecia lespedeza, grasses and even some small persimmon trees. The results are amazing. Great cut and a nice layer of mulch left behind.

I did notice some grass build up on the cutting edge of the knives but couldn't tell that it affected the cut any. I can't imagine that it wouldn't though.

Now that I know this thing is going to work I am going to do a few more weld repairs here and there and put it to good use.

Thanks to everyone for all advice given.

 

[sodamo]

Been working on my mystery chopper the last week or so. Never did find out what it was. I cut off all the weights that was welded to the drum and started static balancing it myself. After getting the weight where i needed it I started welding weights back on and got it pretty dang close. I decided to make my own mounting system for the knives I ordered from Clean Cutter. I got all the steel cut, mounting holes drilled and the chain links cut and spread. I weighed all the steel attachments and adjusted the ones I needed to. The knives came in yesterday so I put the knives on the link and welded the link to my attachments. A final weighing after welding to make sure the weights were the same and I was ready to install. I got everything bolted up and hooked it up to the tractor to test my balancing job. I was very surprised to bring the rpm's up to find everything spinning very smooth. Checked the gear box and it was half full of water and very nasty oil. Cleaned it all out, inspected the gears and filled it with gear oil. Installed the same two belts that came on it and set the tension. Now for the test. I took it to a little field I had brush hogged early last week that was already growing back pretty good. Set the cut height and eased into it. I was impressed with the result so I moved on to the real test. A field that I did not brush hog last year full of 2.5 foot tall buck brush, serecia lespedeza, grasses and even some small persimmon trees. The results are amazing. Great cut and a nice layer of mulch left behind. I did notice some grass build up on the cutting edge of the knives but couldn't tell that it affected the cut any. I can't imagine that it wouldn't though. Now that I know this thing is going to work I am going to do a few more weld repairs here and there and put it to good use. Thanks to everyone for all advice given.

Remember, PICs or it didn't happen sounds impressive though.

 

[Ozarks Landowner]

 

[Doitwithlife]

Lots of good info here, couldn't make it through all 300+ pages on this thread but decided that I wanted to go flail. I was a bit surprised that I didn't come across any feedback from Woodmaxx users. Perhaps I'll be the 1st, Ordered one with the hydrolic offset with the belief that I'll be able to adjust under lots of randomly placed trees without having to manuver the tractor and make multiple passes with the tractor.

With any luck it will arrive in about 2 weeks and I'll see how it works out and post a bit about my experience with it. For now I need to get a rear remote added

 

[kevinjd]

Would like to hear about your woodmaxx!

 

[leonz]

Greetings Doitwithlife,

I want to welcome you as the newest member of the Flail Mower Nation.
The Flail Mower Nation does not require passports or identity papers to travel
to and from the Flail Mower Nation.

The entrance and border crossing to the Flail Mower Nation is located in a
beautiful German styled beer garden.

We require no taxes or dues to be paid to be a member of the flail mower nation.

No roster of Flail Mower Nation members is kept or needed-too, too many
black helicopters and men in black around.

Nor do I wish to see another black helicopter in my neighborhood- fools were looking
for cannabis farms in the wooded area next to my home and they were only a few feet
from the ground and I was not happy with the noise and the potential for a crash with
an old Hughey 2 blade bird which they have a habit of doing when they lose the Jesus nut.

We are very happy bunch of Flail Mower enthusiasts and the quality of cut for brush or
good sod and grass cannot be surpassed in our opinion unless a reel mower is used with a collection basket.

My 35 year old towed motorized lawn Genie is well built and runs very well and being able to collect the clippings helps a lot.


You will be happy when you see the quality of cut and being able to recut the clippings is
a huge plus whether its brush or good sod that has gotten too tall because it rained too much.


Welcome to the Flail Mower Nation




____________________________________________________________________________________________
"Once you go flail you never go back"
Pronovost or not at all!!!
Still looking for a Mott Interstater with Wisconsin V 4 air cooled engine

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[Zerker]

Lots of good info here, couldn't make it through all 300+ pages on this thread but decided that I wanted to go flail. I was a bit surprised that I didn't come across any feedback from Woodmaxx users. Perhaps I'll be the 1st, Ordered one with the hydrolic offset with the belief that I'll be able to adjust under lots of randomly placed trees without having to manuver the tractor and make multiple passes with the tractor.

With any luck it will arrive in about 2 weeks and I'll see how it works out and post a bit about my experience with it. For now I need to get a rear remote added

I was seconds away from buying a Woodmaxx flail mower until an older Ford popped up on craigslist that i decided to go with to save some money. I still plan on buying a Woodmaxx in the future, so please let us know how it runs!

 

[leonz]

Hey Zerker,

Hope all is well. The Vrisimo folks are running sale on thier smaller flail mowers
now for what its worth.

 

[Zerker]

Hey Zerker,

Hope all is well. The Vrisimo folks are running sale on thier smaller flail mowers
now for what its worth.

Hey leonz,

I'm hoping the old Ford can get me through 2 seasons of mowing before I dive in and buy new. The cool thing is I have a few people asking me to mow down their land for them. The flail mower has already paid for itself. I'm so glad I went flail instead of rotary!

 

[Ozarks Landowner]

What would be the cause of grass building up on these knives? I really can't tell how much it affecting the cut but I'm sure it has to be.

 

[whirly]

What would be the cause of grass building up on these knives? I really can't tell how much it affecting the cut but I'm sure it has to be.



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Are you stopping the PTO before you lift the mower?

 

[Billrog]

Go very slow and have the rpm max just did 10 acres & had the grass like that within 5 mins. because I started out going to fast.

 

[Ozarks Landowner]

Are you stopping the PTO before you lift the mower?

It's a pull behind that I have hooked up to my three point lift to control height. I haven't done much mowing with it but what I have done is pull out onto short grass and shut down the pto.

 

[Ozarks Landowner]

Go very slow and have the rpm max just did 10 acres & had the grass like that within 5 mins. because I started out going to fast.

I thought that may be the case so I put my tractor in 1st on the low side with the same results. RPM was plenty high enough.

 

[leonz]

I thought that may be the case so I put my tractor in 1st on the low side with the same results. RPM was plenty high enough.

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Hello Ozarks Landowner,

I hate to tell you this but you seem to be digging dirt with the flail knives.

There should be no dirt whatsoever on those knives. you need to raise the
mowing height on your flail shredder and slow down the tractors forward speed.

Is there a hydraulic cylinder lift linkage or worm gearing and hand crank that is connected to the rear tires to control the flail shredders mowing height?


Are the tires holding air?

 

[Ozarks Landowner]

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Hello Ozarks Landowner,

I hate to tell you this but you seem to be digging dirt with the flail knives.

There should be no dirt whatsoever on those knives. you need to raise the
mowing height on your flail shredder and slow down the tractors forward speed.

Is there a hydraulic cylinder lift linkage or worm gearing and hand crank that is connected to the rear tires to control the flail shredders mowing height?


Are the tires holding air?

I thought the same thing about the dirt. The actual height adjustment is a top link mounted to the hinged hitch and the body of the mower. I have it hooked to my draw bar to raise and lower. Most of my property has high and low spots so a pull behind may not be the best. I'm really not going to use it much for any kind of lawn maintenance but just food plots and fields so I will be able to keep the cut a little higher hopefully.
The tires are holding air.

Back to the vacuum affect you were talking about way back I can certainly see the grass starting to lift even before the drum is over it.

It looks to me that the knives do not open up while rotating. I can easily spread them with my hand though.