Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[Industrial Toys]

I once saw a neat pull type flail mower with it's own engine. I would have bought it, but the price was just too high.

I owned two 917s. One fine cut that I still have and a regular cut that I sold to a friend. It was just beat to death. That shroud looked like an old fat ladies legs from impact but that did not effect it's performance. It's biggest drawback was that the flats on the cutting roller or tube were bent and damaged making knife replacement difficult.

Beyond that, the only thing I would be leery about is the condition of the gearbox. That would be VERY expensive while everything thing else is pretty much generic. Well, obviously the cutting roller or tube must not be bent.

We do want you to Flail.

 

[Dan in MN]

Actually comparing PTO HP is comparing torque.

(RPM * Torque) / 5252=HP

In PTO applications RPM is always 540 (ignoring big machines & their 1000 rpm PTOs), so if HP is comparable across machines, so will torque. Torque curves may be different, but peak HP & torque measured at the PTO will be equivalent.

In a word, no. They are all running 540 rpm at the PTO shaft, but the engine could be running any rpm and be geared to output 540 PTO at that engine speed. You could have a larger engine making 30 PTO hp at 2000 rpm and a small engine making 30 PTO hp at 3000 rpm. They would be making significantly different amounts of torque at their rated PTO rpm. (79 vs 53 lb-ft in the two engines above)

 

[Fallon]

In a word, no. They are all running 540 rpm at the PTO shaft, but the engine could be running any rpm and be geared to output 540 PTO at that engine speed. You could have a larger engine making 30 PTO hp at 2000 rpm and a small engine making 30 PTO hp at 3000 rpm. They would be making significantly different amounts of torque at their rated PTO rpm. (79 vs 53 lb-ft in the two engines above)

You are talking about engine HP. I was talking about PTO HP. If you are measuring HP at the PTO shaft at the proper 540 RPM as per the Nebraska Tractor Test ratings, PTO dyno & the number most manufacturers use, HP & torque ratings are directly comparable.

 

[def38]

I'm about to order a flail mower to cut 5 acres of lawn grass, some orchard prunings and the occasional root that pops up. I have been looking at this flail. M-F 45 HP, 2 wheel drive tractor.

Titan Flail Mower 72" 3 Point PTO Tractor Attachment Heavy Duty Cutting EFGC185 | eBay

Comments please.

Thank you.

 

[Fallon]

I'm about to order a flail mower to cut 5 acres of lawn grass, some orchard prunings and the occasional root that pops up. I have been looking at this flail. M-F 45 HP, 2 wheel drive tractor.

Titan Flail Mower 72" 3 Point PTO Tractor Attachment Heavy Duty Cutting EFGC185 | eBay

Comments please.

Thank you.

Historically Titan has imported cheap Chinese stuff. Lower quality, but not to hideous. My first pair of pallet forks didn't fit right, but they made things right.

Not sure if anybody around here has actually gotten one of their flails yet, or at least haven't seen any reviews. I'd worry about their quality & long term durability. Very tempting price though.

 

[innrkid]

I want to thank Powerscol, islandtractor, fallon, loenz (and probably some I have forgotten) for expanding my knowledge base as well as pointing out things to consider before purchasing. I went back to researching after the additional insight and ended up with a Del Morino Centurion super. I did give up a bit of width to gain the flexibility of side shift and ditch mowing capability. For me, I believe this was the right blend of function, capability, trusted history of production and cost. This is the model I selected 158C Centurion Super - Del Morino www.delmorino.it
I should have the unit in about two weeks and will update with first impressions and pictures.
This thread has helped me recognize that all choices made have been specific to the use cases, investment tolerance, brand loyalty and tractor capability. Also, trying to research all the options is time consuming! For me, this seemed like the best solution. I really appreciate the aforementioned folks that provided real world experience. Thanks again.

 

[powerscol]

Good choice - let us know how it works. I see that they offer a internal knife kit to get finer cuttings. Did you get that option?

 

[Slagiatt]

I want to thank Powerscol, islandtractor, fallon, loenz (and probably some I have forgotten) for expanding my knowledge base as well as pointing out things to consider before purchasing. I went back to researching after the additional insight and ended up with a Del Morino Centurion super. I did give up a bit of width to gain the flexibility of side shift and ditch mowing capability. For me, I believe this was the right blend of function, capability, trusted history of production and cost. This is the model I selected 158C Centurion Super - Del Morino www.delmorino.it
I should have the unit in about two weeks and will update with first impressions and pictures.
This thread has helped me recognize that all choices made have been specific to the use cases, investment tolerance, brand loyalty and tractor capability. Also, trying to research all the options is time consuming! For me, this seemed like the best solution. I really appreciate the aforementioned folks that provided real world experience. Thanks again.

If you can change your order you may want to think about the next size up. I have the 60" 0n that same style mower and handle it ok. my tractor weight is lighter than your's . I think Powerscol is a little on the lightside if using on the bobcat 235. i'm getting older and like thing to shake to much when moving from center to the out side and powercol sticks out even further than mine.

 

[powerscol]

If you can change your order you may want to think about the next size up. I have the 60" 0n that same style mower and handle it ok. my tractor weight is lighter than your's . I think Powerscol is a little on the lightside if using on the bobcat 235. i'm getting older and like thing to shake to much when moving from center to the out side and powercol sticks out even further than mine.

You are correct. I am right at the comfort limit when raised and extended. However this is only when adjusting. Once set on the ground I hardly know it is there. For me the extra few inches of reach has made a huge difference. Now I only need to drive straight so I don't bump the fence posts. :laughing:

 

[Slagiatt]

as you get older our comfort levels diminish somewhat.

 

[innrkid]

I went with the 64 inch and based on what I found, that is the largest centurion they offer.

 

[innrkid]

Good choice - let us know how it works. I see that they offer a internal knife kit to get finer cuttings. Did you get that option?

I did not get that option.

 

[powerscol]

as you get older our comfort levels diminish somewhat.

Older - !!!!!! Never - I just get wiser and have a reason for being grumpy and stinky . Otherwise the AAADD takes over. However I will admit to the occasional CRS or Senior moment, but never getting older.

CRS = Cant remember stuff
AAADD = Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder

 

[innrkid]

Older - !!!!!! Never - I just get wiser and have a reason for being grumpy and stinky . Otherwise the AAADD takes over. However I will admit to the occasional CRS or Senior moment, but never getting older.

CRS = Cant remember stuff
AAADD = Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder

I thought there was version called CRJS as well.
CRJS= can't remember jack sh@&!

 

[def38]

To be accurate, I have not ordered the flail yet. I'm in the shopping and evaluating stage.

Gosh, I don't even have my tractor yet (being delivered from Texas where I bought it used). The land is being cleared, graded and will be planted in a grass yet to be selected (Any sugestions...I was thinking Zoysia but it is expensive and fussy).

I suspect the mower will see only occasional, relatively light duty (cut every 3-4 weeks during the growing season). Also, I'm pretty careful about maintaining my stuff. I plan to stick with the OE forged, duck foot style flails.

 

[Dan in MN]

You are talking about engine HP. I was talking about PTO HP. If you are measuring HP at the PTO shaft at the proper 540 RPM as per the Nebraska Tractor Test ratings, PTO dyno & the number most manufacturers use, HP & torque ratings are directly comparable.

Your wording sounded like you were saying since they are all running 540 at the PTO then different tractors of the same horsepower would make the same torque. Specifically... "In PTO applications RPM is always 540 (ignoring big machines & their 1000 rpm PTOs), so if HP is comparable across machines, so will torque. Torque curves may be different, but peak HP & torque measured at the PTO will be equivalent."

That is only true if they are running the same engine rpm at a given power output. To use the same example as before, one tractor might have the pto geared to output 540 pto rpm when the engine is running 2000 rpm, and another might have the pto geared to output 540 pto rpm when the engine is running 3000 rpm. They could both be rated at 30 pto hp, but they would be producing significantly different amounts of torque at those differing rpm's. That's all I was trying to clarify, that not all tractors rated at 30 pto hp (or any other number) are equivalent as far as ability to do work. It's just an industry oddity that customers want numbers in terms of horsepower, when they would be much better served to know how much torque the engine generates at rated pto speed.

What you said the second time here that if hooking a dyno to the PTO then power is directly comparable is true (comparable, able to be directly compared, not equivalent).

I'm about to order a flail mower to cut 5 acres of lawn grass, some orchard prunings and the occasional root that pops up. I have been looking at this flail. M-F 45 HP, 2 wheel drive tractor.

Titan Flail Mower 72" 3 Point PTO Tractor Attachment Heavy Duty Cutting EFGC185 | eBay

Comments please.

Thank you.

Aside from the forged hammers that looks to be identical to the Chinese cutter sold as Value Leader, etc... I ran a Value Leader last year and it was generally fine, but I was never totally satisfied (though huge caveat it's the only flail I've owned/operated). I sold it mostly to go larger this year. As long as the Titan isn't cheaper in the gearbox, bearings, etc... that's an excellent price with forged hammers and should work quite well on 5 acres. If it's mostly grass the hammers aren't the best option, but they will take care of the other stuff better than side cutters.

 

[def38]

Life is a compromise...so are the flails.

 

[powerscol]

To be accurate, I have not ordered the flail yet. I'm in the shopping and evaluating stage.

Gosh, I don't even have my tractor yet (being delivered from Texas where I bought it used). The land is being cleared, graded and will be planted in a grass yet to be selected (Any sugestions...I was thinking Zoysia but it is expensive and fussy).

I suspect the mower will see only occasional, relatively light duty (cut every 3-4 weeks during the growing season). Also, I'm pretty careful about maintaining my stuff. I plan to stick with the OE forged, duck foot style flails.

Have you looked at what Iowa Farm Equipment offers? Good place to shop and compare prices to what your considering. Iowa Farm Equipment -- Maschio Flail, Ditch Bank & Boom Mowers
Hope this helps

 

[def38]

Powerscol,

In my search for the truth, I have concluded that most flail mowers are about the same with the following exceptions;

1- Size.
2- Gauge of structural steel.
3- Gearbox quality.
4- Bearing alignment.
5- Mulching baffle.
6- Quality of weldments.

Much of the mower quality can be determined by the weight of the mower compared to others of similar size. Unless the mower is used in a commercial or municipal application and routinely used on rough terrain, encountering trash and obstructions, a properly maintained flail mower should last for years.

 

[def38]

I thought there was version called CRJS as well.
CRJS= can't remember jack sh@&!

Hey Innrkid, age is a state of mind...how are things in Woodstock? I grew up in Lake Bluff. Used to ride the CNW RR into Chicago (it was steam then).