Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[Jack Yuan]

Last week I somewhat reluctantly became a member of the "Smoked My Belts" club. I knew this task was going to tax my belts:


View attachment 476658

This area hasn't been mowed in 3+ years and has hundreds of albizia seedlings, which I need to kill. Before I realized there were so many, my plan was to just cut off and poison the stump.
I was able to get mowed up to the fence, down to the big dying albizia on the left.
But late in the day, I just wanted to do a bit more and about 30+ ft past the tree got into stuff about 6 ft tall and really thick. My technique had been to back over, flail raised, forward, repeat a bit lower. Well, I just bit too much. Squealing and smoking, it just wouldn't clear and I was too slow to disengage PTO. I probably should have quit half hour sooner. By the time I got back to the tractor shed it was still smoking, and not a pretty sight once I got the belt cover off. Off the 4 belts, only 1 might be recognized as a belt.

Ordered set of replacement belts from Betstco next day. Unable to determine what to get locally.

Joy at the PO this morning, belts arrived.
Got them installed, adjusted, shot some grease into the zerks and mowed a few hours . Regular mowing, not this project as it has been raining and needs to dry a bit. Really, really prefer tractor mowing to either the Craftsman or Scag. Probably because we really don't have lawn, but acres of mowed pasture.

Need to decipher the various codes on the belts to determine local replacement, maybe even those Kevlar ones Leonz speaks so highly:
Supposed to be metric and fit SPB pulley

CHAOYANG
GB/T1171/06
527 88091407

B 1016 Li
1059 LW

2015--04 (guessing this is manufacture date)


View attachment 476661

we factories normally choose Three-V brand belt (BX 17x1016 with teeth) which is proved working well on this mower. Normally, we don't choose this brand belt, it only save nearly 0.4USD per belt, but it is more easily to be burnt.

Another thing is, I don't suggest to use B version belt which is flat and not good for release heat on working belt, I always choose BX version belt which is with teeth.

 

[sodamo]

Thanks Jack

 

[Permaculturist]

Well, I pulled the trigger on a brand spankin' new Berti TA/S 220 with a spare set of belts and 5 replacement hammers ('P' hammers weighing in at 1.8kg each) with spare nuts & bolts this morning. I was going to take my 1985 M35A1 (deuce and a half) for a ride to pick it up, but they only want $125 to deliver it, and my fuel will cost me more than that. So.. I'll take lots of pictures when I get it, and roll some video when I get it set up and running. We're expecting rain for the next 4 days or so, which will be real fun to wait out when I have this new toy to play with.

Thanks for the help. This thread was very valuable in making my decision, even though I only got to page 249.:thumbsup:

 

[powerscol]

we factories normally choose Three-V brand belt (BX 17x1016 with teeth) which is proved working well on this mower. Normally, we don't choose this brand belt, it only save nearly 0.4USD per belt, but it is more easily to be burnt.

Another thing is, I don't suggest to use B version belt which is flat and not good for release heat on working belt, I always choose BX version belt which is with teeth.View attachment 477074

I first I thought you would not normally run a tooth belt on a smooth pulley, then got to thinking about the surface area - it should run cooler, or am I thinking wrong as usual? Just wondering.

 

[Jack Yuan]

I first I thought you would not normally run a tooth belt on a smooth pulley, then got to thinking about the surface area - it should run cooler, or ami I thinking wrong as usuall? Just wondering.

Yes you are thinking right, also this is the comparison result after I sold thousands flail mowers with flat surface belt and teeth surface belt. So now I only choose teeth belt.

Generally, there are many points about how to expand belt life.
1. The center line of upper pulley and lower pulley should always be parallel when working. Then this could keep the belt tension to be stable when working.
2. The pulley should be smooth and correct size as design, then belt will not rubbed by sharp pulley surface.
3. The upper pulley and lower pulley should be assembled vertically in line.
4. Often check out the bolts on power lock, it is easy to be loose because of the vibration when working. Also you should tighten bolts on power lock symmetrically. Otherwise it could make the pulley a little slant from the shaft center line.
5. Drill enough holes and correct position on pulley cover, to release the heat out when working.
6. Use better brand belt. Good brand belt has good quality, it can cover some fault of mower itself, but not all.
7. Belt life is also related to working condition, small power belt cannot do hard work job, so communicate more with who will sell you flail mower, choose correct mower.

It sounds unfair for customers, because customers cannot check out many points before he buy and see his mower.

 

[Greenland South]

The field is 24 acres. I know that because I drove around it with the GPS. I have about 6 acres left to do. The GPS said I did 26km and 9 hrs 45 min. A must is noise cancelling headphones and good tunes.
On Monday I had an imature Bald Eagle following along feasting on all the mice I was exposing.
I learned you should mow in such a way that you can stop and get a fresh beer on the way by. I did it in sections and spent a bit of non mowing time going back to the camp to get cold beers. I'll be smarter next year.
This was actually a fun way to spend some time.

 

[Steave]

The field is 24 acres. I know that because I drove around it with the GPS. I have about 6 acres left to do. The GPS said I did 26km and 9 hrs 45 min. A must is noise cancelling headphones and good tunes.
On Monday I had an imature Bald Eagle following along feasting on all the mice I was exposing.
I learned you should mow in such a way that you can stop and get a fresh beer on the way by. I did it in sections and spent a bit of non mowing time going back to the camp to get cold beers. I'll be smarter next year.
This was actually a fun way to spend some time.

The way you described it I can just picture your mowing experience. Sounds like a great way to spend a day. I often carry AC/DC, ZZ Top and even George Jones with me mowing and of course the beer isn't to far away.

I use Google measure for finding distances and acreage measurements. Get on maps, find your area, right click and follow instructions. Can be used on maps or satelite images. Pretty handy.

 

[Greenland South]

The way you described it I can just picture your mowing experience. Sounds like a great way to spend a day. I often carry AC/DC, ZZ Top and even George Jones with me mowing and of course the beer isn't to far away.

I use Google measure for finding distances and acreage measurements. Get on maps, find your area, right click and follow instructions. Can be used on maps or satelite images. Pretty handy.

Not great photos of the eagle, I took them through the windshield.

 

[Steave]

Thanks for the pix. Now when you crank your tractor you'll have a friend watching you hoping you'll stir up something for lunch. Maybe you'll get to see a good rabbit chase. We have plenty of hawks in the area but only a few eagles in the surrounding counties. With a lot of help they are making a comeback.

 

[gregharr55]

Hello guys. Long time lurker here. U guys have talked me into a caroni. My tm 1900 bcs should ship next week. Thanks for al the good info!!
Greg

 

[IslandTractor]

Hello guys. Long time lurker here. U guys have talked me into a caroni. My tm 1900 bcs should ship next week. Thanks for al the good info!! Greg

Welcome to flail mower nation.

If you've read recent posts it seems Caroni has changed something on the gearbox vent so it is less likely to discharge oil when running. Just a heads up in case you were going to buy the metric adapter thingie.

 

[Zerker]

Not great photos of the eagle, I took them through the windshield. View attachment 477188View attachment 477189

Thats awesome! I was thinking of mounting a small cooler on the rear fender opposite side of the toolbox. Just something that could hold 6 cans or whatever. Havent really looked at it to see how I could do it, just had the idea.

I do absolutely need to get a good pair of noise cancelers, never realized how loud it actually was until I sat on tractor for 6 hours. Definitely getting a pair before I hit the fields again.

 

[IslandTractor]

Thats awesome! I was thinking of mounting a small cooler on the rear fender opposite side of the toolbox. Just something that could hold 6 cans or whatever. Havent really looked at it to see how I could do it, just had the idea. I do absolutely need to get a good pair of noise cancelers, never realized how loud it actually was until I sat on tractor for 6 hours. Definitely getting a pair before I hit the fields again.

Even foam ear plugs make a big difference.

 

[powerscol]

Greetings Flail Mower Nation

I am having a Homer moment ....DOOH!

Flail mower definitions found here and on manufacturer web sites.

First I understand the standard flail mower that goes directly behind the tractors and knife configurations available. However when I do a bit of searching I find the called the following

Flail - appear to be a common name for all types of units regardless of knives.
Hammer Flail - has hammer knives, but usually less count than the blade knives - dont know why?
Mulches - usually have hammer knives, but not necessarily.
Shredders - usually labeled for agg crop units
Ditch Bank models - on a swing arm to mow to the side
Verge - this on has me stumped - it can mean ditch bank type or behind the tractor depending on the web site.

What is the real difference between them, especially the ones labeled Verge that all seems to be offsetting ditch bank mowers. Are they made differently?

Thanks

 

[IslandTractor]

Greetings Flail Mower Nation I am having a Homer moment ....DOOH! Flail mower definitions found here and on manufacturer web sites. First I understand the standard flail mower that goes directly behind the tractors and knife configurations available. However when I do a bit of searching I find the called the following Flail - appear to be a common name for all types of units regardless of knives. Hammer Flail - has hammer knives, but usually less count than the blade knives - dont know why? Mulches - usually have hammer knives, but not necessarily. Shredders - usually labeled for agg crop units Ditch Bank models - on a swing arm to mow to the side Verge - this on has me stumped - it can mean ditch bank type or behind the tractor depending on the web site. What is the real difference between them, especially the ones labeled Verge that all seems to be offsetting ditch bank mowers. Are they made differently? Thanks

The basic concept and construction are the same for all flails. Size and type of knife and hanger vary depending on the planned use. Some are big wide "shredders" designed and built for Ag use while at the other end of the spectrum are small flails mounted on hydraulic arms to cut along roadways or in ditches. All basically the same.

 

[aczlan]

Verge - this on has me stumped - it can mean ditch bank type or behind the tractor depending on the web site.
What is the real difference between them, especially the ones labeled Verge that all seems to be offsetting ditch bank mowers. Are they made differently?

Verge is the area on the edge of a road, like the shoulder, it could also include a ditch bank.

Aaron Z

 

[powerscol]

Verge is the area on the edge of a road, like the shoulder, it could also include a ditch bank.

Aaron Z

Thanks - that makes everything clear. I should have realized that after looking in the dictionary.....DOOH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :confused3:

 

[Steave]

Well, never thought to look up Verge in the dictionary as I always assumed it was some type of name for one of the flails. I guess my guessing of meanings is getting farther off every day. :laughing:

Thanks for the info.

 

[powerscol]

Well, never thought to look up Verge in the dictionary as I always assumed it was some type of name for one of the flails. I guess my guessing of meanings is getting farther off every day. :laughing:

Thanks for the info.

Yep it appears to be a British or Europe thing. Learned a new word meaning myself. Online dictionary has it as; "(3) British : a paved or planted strip of land at the edge of a road : shoulder"

Maybe someday they will speak English I can understand....then again I cant understand some of my cousins by marriage, There in the deep south. Years ago I was getting fuel and the lady at the desk wanted my Tag number...after a blank stare from me and her asking several times for it, boss unit hits me and says license plate dummy....thus my Homer Simpson era started :laughing: DOH!!!!!!

 

[gregharr55]

I have heard this this entire thread is a conspiracy perpetratrated to entice poor weary folks like me into buying a worthless piece of junk!
Well it worked! My Caroni shipped yesterday. Thanks guys for all the wisdom and experiences!!
Greg Harrison