Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[arto98607]

So guys, I have been trying to read through this thread but I jumped in at the end here because I ran across a Nova ditch mower for sale at a golf course near me. The claim they did not use it a lot because the angle and length of their ditches were to steep. They are ordering a RC on a boom. $1200 so I jumped on it. Hopefully a good purchase and should work well with the grass at my place (I hope) I'm so new at this I know I am going to make a mistake or 2 and this may or may not be one

View attachment 699419

It looks like a deal for $1200, but is that hydraulic cylinder "rod" bent or is the photo deceiving?

 

[Xfaxman]

It looks like a deal for $1200, but is that hydraulic cylinder "rod" bent or is the photo deceiving?

I know the rod end is lower, but it sure looks bent.
I added a straight red line parallel to the cylinder:

A good hydraulic shop can straighten it .

 

[jjeff]

The forestry/flail mower attachments are heavy and require a huge amount of flow and torque because the forestry flail mower rotor heads are very heavy and require a huge hydraulic motor and flow rate to run the forestry mower.
If that mule in your avatar is the mule you have perhaps you should be looking at a boom mounted orchard and vineyard flail shredder mower as it would work well as long as the rear tires are loaded with liquid ballast.

The Brush Hound 30EX excavator flail mower made by by Valley Tool and Manufacturing weighs 792 pounds and requires 12 gallons per minute to operate the gear type hydraulic motor.
The excavator weight range required for this attachment is 8,000-13,000 pounds to provide enough weight to safely use this specific flail mower attachment.

You need a lot of weight with a cast weight mounted in the frame rails or removable weight plates on the rear of a zero tail swing excavator to counter the load weight of 792 pounds at the end of the standard length upper boom and standard length dipper boom on an excavator with the weight of 8.000-13,000 pounds.

Totally understand what your saying but why isn't a smaller lighter duty brush or flail mower manufactured for smaller excavators with lower flow rates using a smaller drum or or brush cutter blade hence being able to use a lower flow smaller hydro motor, and a lighter duty frame, Personally I'd never consider a smaller excavator or light duty mower attachment if my intended purpose was to clear land.
Thanks for the reply J

 

[Number15]

Yes bent. Not to expensive at 169

 

[Mark Bielick]

Just received and ran my commercial grade Betstco 48" flail. Took a bit to get it assembled, only because the components weight so much. Man, this thing is built like a tank. Once assembled, I had to cut the PTO shaft by 4" to fit. I also had to get a longer Top link to allow for the Pats quick hitch. First run was nothing short of perfect. 1.5 acres cut in 40 minutes. Cut as good as my Grasshopper, and left no clumps. The grass was about a foot tall, which normally would cause clumping issues with the Grasshopper. Nowhere near as maneuverable as the Grasshopper, but great for getting the majority of the area cut. This mower was listed as requiring 22HP, but my BX23s handled it well. As far as unloading goes, I was able to take it off the truck with the BX, but I couldn't lift it more than 6" off the ground. Not too bad for a 650 lb load extended 4 feet out past the pins. So far, extremely satisfied.

 

[MaSon_]

Hoping you guys can help me identify this flail mower I'm looking at. The seller says he doesn't know anything about it other than it works.
Thanks!

 

[K5lwq]

I don't know the brand but if it does work, it hasn't in a while. What is the seller asking for it?

 

[arto98607]

It looks like a good project and will keep the next owner busy for a week or two while doing an overhaul and spending few hundred bucks on parts.

 

[MaSon_]

I don't know the brand but if it does work, it hasn't in a while. What is the seller asking for it?

$400

 

[K5lwq]

@MaSon_ Welcome to TBN. I should of said that in my first reply to your question.

Personally I would keep looking but I don't know what your needs are. Like arto said, it looks like a good project but $400 is more than I would want to spend on it. Good luck.

 

[Fallon]

It looks like a good project and will keep the next owner busy for a week or two while doing an overhaul and spending few hundred bucks on parts.

I'll 2nd that. Better shape than my $100 917 was. If there is oil in the gear box, you can hitch it up & it spins without to much vibration its probably worth it. Maybe only a couple hours of TLC required. I wouldn't bother with bearings unless they had issues. New knives shouldn't be to bad if needed.

 

[TheFarmerInAdell]

It looks to be well built and heavy duty. It appears to use Alamo blades and hangers. If so, those are very readily available. The rest of the parts shouldn't be too bad if you know how to research and find bearings and things like that. If I had the time I'd spend the $400 on it. Add about another $200-$400 in parts (if needed) and you'll have a $1000 mower (depending on the market).

Edit: The more I look at it the more I think it might be a very old Alamo (or Mott). The housing is shaped like an Alamo, the belt tensioner is like an Alamo, but the rear roller and belt cover do not look like the current Alamo.

 

[MaSon_]

Okay thanks guys. I am in need of a heavy mower and from what I've read in this very long post a flail is a better investment than a rotary. There are a couple of deere 25As nearby but they are more money ($700 and 1000). There is also a Mott that looks in good shape but the guy is asking close to $3k for it.

 

[arto98607]

Used John Deere 25A for$700 or 1000 is worth checking out and potentially a very good deal if it's in good condition!

They are usually pretty pricey...

 

[electrycmonk]

Shoot, over the last couple years Deere 25’s that are under $1000 are not for sale long..... I missed out on each one that was in the $500-$1000 range.
I ended up with a ford 917..... as seen back in the thread around page 640-ish I think?

best of luck and welcome to the club.

 

[electrycmonk]

Speaking of flails for sale, here’s one on purple wave:

Used Construction, Agricultural Equip., Trucks, Trailers & more

Transform your operations with our heavy equipment auctions! Browse through farm equipment, construction equipment, and more. ✓ Check online today!

www.purplewave.com

 

[Number15]

Is this to rough? It's near me but I wonder if it is to much work to get it right

Alamo SHD74 Flail Mower - Cutters & Shredders - PTO Tractor 74" cut | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Alamo SHD74 Flail Mower - Cutters & Shredders - PTO Tractor 74" cut at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[electrycmonk]

Is this to rough? It's near me but I wonder if it is to much work to get it right

Alamo SHD74 Flail Mower - Cutters & Shredders - PTO Tractor 74" cut | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Alamo SHD74 Flail Mower - Cutters & Shredders - PTO Tractor 74" cut at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Fascinating Florida find.as fore the price, sadly I’m outta touch. As for my gut on the mechanical viability.... the patina doesn’t look scary “enough” to warrant walking away.

 

[arto98607]

That's a lot of money to buy a project.

 

[Number15]

That's a lot of money to buy a project.

That's what I am coming around to thinking. Especially as I lack the experience to check it out because I don't know enough yet. I think I will bite the bullet and buy new. I already have a project ditch mower (kinda)