Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[TheFarmerInAdell]

New member, just bought 30 acres of forestland, the property is mostly hillside with several overgrown logging roads crossing it.

I've been borrowing a New Holland 918H, after a lot of time reading this thread I ordered a Woodmaxx FM-78. It was delivered last week, the upper part of the 3 point hitch had been knocked around in the shipping crate and scratched up the paint on the mower in a few places. No real damage that some touch-up paint won't fix though.

Build quality and fit/finish seem better than most imported implements. I ordered it with hammers but will probably switch over to knives in a year or two after clearing some of the brush and downed limbs. View attachment 660631View attachment 660632View attachment 660633

Welcome to Flail Mower Nation.

Hammers are definitely better for reclaiming land. Once you got everything knocked down to just grass then knives are a good.

I bet that boom comes in handy on the truck.

 

[CADplans]

OK, watch the video at this website, who will be brave enough to convert their flail mower??

Roatadairon Home Page

I think I accidentally did this,,, once,,, :confused2:

:laughing:

 

[TheFarmerInAdell]

OK, watch the video at this website, who will be brave enough to convert their flail mower??

Roatadairon Home Page

I think I accidentally did this,,, once,,, :confused2:

:laughing:

I think they're 2 separate machines.

And, yes, I've done that as well. typically when I'm doing my ditch. Even with the hyd top link fully extended I get some rototilling going on. Then again the ditch is VERY steep to the point I back down into it and do one mower width at a time making sure to leave my front tires on the pavement in 4WD. And I go very slow.

 

[Skagit]

Welcome to Flail Mower Nation.

Hammers are definitely better for reclaiming land. Once you got everything knocked down to just grass then knives are a good.

I bet that boom comes in handy on the truck.

I don't know what I did before I put a crane on my truck, I use it for everything.

 

[K5lwq]

I have a question about my Ditch Bank Flail. There is a pin that goes under the main bolt that supports the swing arms. There is also a set of holes that looks like a place for a pin. This pin rides on the front of the 3pt assembly.

My question is, does removing this pin allow the swing arms float up and down? Looks like that was the intent, however there is only about 1/8 clearance on the back side. I could see where this would help on rough and uneven ground but don't see it floating very much at all.

 

[John0829]

I picked up an Alamo/Mott SHD74 fine cut a little over a week ago to go with the New Holland 918H I already have. Mainly because I have never been really happy with the cut from the 918H. If the SHD gives me the cut that I expect and want I will most likely sell the 918H. Anyway I am now in the process of giving the Alamo a facelift with fresh paint, changing out a few bolts, flush and refill the gearbox, etc.. For all my implements I like to keep spare parts on hand, wear items like belts, blades and so forth, since it takes some time to aquire them if something breaks. The SHD74 came with a spare set of used and new knives but I also want to keep a belt on hand. I would normally have just ordered one from FlailMasters but with them out of business for now... I was hoping someone here had a source for a kevlar belt and part number that works for this mower.

A few pics of the progress so far

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

I picked up an Alamo/Mott SHD74 fine cut a little over a week ago to go with the New Holland 918H I already have. Mainly because I have never been really happy with the cut from the 918H. If the SHD gives me the cut that I expect and want I will most likely sell the 918H. Anyway I am now in the process of giving the Alamo a facelift with fresh paint, changing out a few bolts, flush and refill the gearbox, etc.. For all my implements I like to keep spare parts on hand, wear items like belts, blades and so forth, since it takes some time to aquire them if something breaks. The SHD74 came with a spare set of used and new knives but I also want to keep a belt on hand. I would normally have just ordered one from FlailMasters but with them out of business for now... I was hoping someone here had a source for a kevlar belt and part number that works for this mower.

A few pics of the progress so far

Tractor Supply maybe. I bought 5/8 x 53 kevlar belts there for my flail. Other than that Google kevlar and desired size.

 

[John0829]

Tractor Supply maybe. I bought 5/8 x 53 kevlar belts there for my flail. Other than that Google kevlar and desired size.

That was the thing I did not know the length, thanks, I can find what I want now.

 

[Okie Again]

Woodmaxx FM62H has stopped sliding to extend. It feels like it is trying there is a small bog down on the engine when I try. It worked when I first put it on in the fall then this spring won't budge. There is foam in my transmission oil I have added 4 gallons but still can't see an oil level. Could I just be that low on fluid or should I be looking at the flail mower? I don't have anything else except the front end loader running on the hydraulics and it runs fine.

 

[CADplans]

Woodmaxx FM62H has stopped sliding to extend. It feels like it is trying there is a small bog down on the engine when I try. .

Is the quick connect possibly only partly connected,,
THAT will cause the exact symptoms,,,

 

[Okie Again]

Well I am pretty new at all this but I did switch them just to make sure I did not have them backwards with no change. I can take a better look at that however.

 

[Fallon]

Woodmaxx FM62H has stopped sliding to extend. It feels like it is trying there is a small bog down on the engine when I try. It worked when I first put it on in the fall then this spring won't budge. There is foam in my transmission oil I have added 4 gallons but still can't see an oil level. Could I just be that low on fluid or should I be looking at the flail mower? I don't have anything else except the front end loader running on the hydraulics and it runs fine.

4 gallons is a problem. Either it was way low from a leak or you over filled it. It varries a bit depending on extending or retracting hydraulics a bit. But not 4 gallons worth in a CUT or SCUT.

The engine logging or bogging when you move hydraulics indicates it's the hydraulics are pushing against something basically immovable. Either the hydraulics are at the end of their travel, a QD is stuck or not seated, or the slide mechanism is jammed. Not familiar as with the Woodmax, but my Peruzzo side shift can often jam up with grass clippings. Easy enough to clean out with compressed air or even just a stick. But it can pack in enough after a half day mowing to jam it up sometimes.

 

[Okie Again]

After 2 gallons I saw the fluid level below the foam. Then months later when issues started again I could not see the fluid level. I added the another 2 gal still don't see the level but was afraid to add more. I will check for a jam. I can not move it even with me pressing on it with my foot and the wife running the controls. Can't see anything blocking. I will try again this evening to look at it

 

[JWR]

After 2 gallons I saw the fluid level below the foam. Then months later when issues started again I could not see the fluid level. I added the another 2 gal still don't see the level but was afraid to add more. I will check for a jam. I can not move it even with me pressing on it with my foot and the wife running the controls. Can't see anything blocking. I will try again this evening to look at it

I think you have a mechanical blockage of some sort. The engine would not bog down/labor as you said it did if it were just low fluid. But you must also have a significant leak somewhere to have put that much hyd fluid in it more than once (!)

 

[Fallon]

After 2 gallons I saw the fluid level below the foam. Then months later when issues started again I could not see the fluid level. I added the another 2 gal still don't see the level but was afraid to add more. I will check for a jam. I can not move it even with me pressing on it with my foot and the wife running the controls. Can't see anything blocking. I will try again this evening to look at it

Hydraulics operate at 2,500psi. Not sure how big those cylinders are, but I can guarantee more than 1sq inch, probably several square inches. So if 2,500-10,000+ lbs of force can't move it your foot or even several fat people jumping on something isn't going to do any better. Just be aware of how much force hydraulics put out. They won't even slow down when crushing your foot to a pulp if something pops free at an inopportune time.

 

[Okie Again]

Called Woodmaxx they could not figure anything for sure but because it is less than a year old they are sending me a new hydraulic cylinder.

 

[Xfaxman]

Remove the fastener from the rod end of the existing cylinder. Block it up an see if the cylinder works.

 

[TheFarmerInAdell]

That was the thing I did not know the length, thanks, I can find what I want now.

My SHD88 took a 7/8"x58" belt. It was coded CX54, which I believe is the size you should search.

 

[John0829]

My SHD88 took a 7/8"x58" belt. It was coded CX54, which I believe is the size you should search.

Thanks I'll check it out.

 

[ptoengageant]

Hi everyone, I'm new around these parts and am also a new owner of a Kubota LX2610. I'm in the market for a flail mower with hammers for a couple acres of land, mainly to be used for clearing and keeping some brushy overgrowth (think good-sized wild rose and 10-18' tall Russian Olive, along with a smattering of other invasive and unwanted shrubberies) away from our stone walls and keeping a small field mowed. I've done a bit of research and have come up with the following list of potential candidates. I'm trying to keep the price range to the sub-$2500 mark, but if there is a good reason to go with a more expensive option, I'd like to hear it. Also, please feel free to suggest anything that I've missed. I don't have rear remotes and would be happy with a manual offset, so side shift isn't necessary. Thanks!

Del Morino Flipper 158 (62") - $3100 (this is from my local dealer)
Everything Attachment SLE-160 - $3915
WoodMaxx FM-62 (62") - $2,499
Betstco FH-EFG135 (60") - $1625