Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[electrycmonk]

Curious & legit question folks:

does anyone have any really good quality pictures of a flail on a swing arm for ditch work?

I’d like to look at the details of the hinge designs and locations. As well as the piston locations & hoe the PRo shaft is safely extended.

web search is “meh” so far… I’ll keep digging later this weekend…

thanks in advance y’all!

 

[TMGT]

Curious & legit question folks:

does anyone have any really good quality pictures of a flail on a swing arm for ditch work?

I’d like to look at the details of the hinge designs and locations. As well as the piston locations & hoe the PRo shaft is safely extended.

web search is “meh” so far… I’ll keep digging later this weekend…

thanks in advance y’all!

What pictures are you looking for exactly? My mower isn't attached to the tractor right now but I do have these pictures from my last mowing.

 

[K5lwq]

Here is a few of mine.

 

[ShowroomShine]

Picked up a Bush Hog FH188 flail today to replace my Alamo SH74. The mower has been sitting for probably 10+ years but looks in good complete shape.

What can expect performance wise between the Alamo and the FH188?

Also what do I need to do other than the obvious to get this mower back up to operating condition?

Anyone have a link to a manual for this mower?

 

[dan4jeepin]

I got a Bestco 60" medium duty flail which I used for the first time last weekend. I was in a hurry and it was a hot day so by the time I got it out of the crate and hooked up to the tractor I didn't feel like adjusting it much and just went with where the roller, skid etc were at. Overall it cut good for the height of the grass/weeds but when I looked at it once I was done it was fairly uneven. You could see a line about 2 inches taller left on each pass.

So how should it be setup? If I'm sitting on level ground should the roller and skids touch? Should it be level front to back or tilted? I tired looking at the manual but it didn't really seem to have much in it.

​

 

[kenmbz]

Roller should touch. Need to make sure roller is set at the right height to cut, can use a tape measure.
Check lift arms to make sure level side to side.
Make sure roller on same holes both sides, skid too. Skid should not be digging into ground so may need to adjust front up.
Other on here can give you more advice if any of this does not look like the issue. Mine came with the skid and roller up to make it easier to ship. So had to adjust both.

 

[dieselscout80]

Picked up a Bush Hog FH188 flail today to replace my Alamo SH74. The mower has been sitting for probably 10+ years but looks in good complete shape.

What can expect performance wise between the Alamo and the FH188?

Also what do I need to do other than the obvious to get this mower back up to operating condition?

Anyone have a link to a manual for this mower?

Here is it is.

They basically a updated Ford 917.

 

[Menagerie-Manor]

I got a Bestco 60" medium duty flail which I used for the first time last weekend. I was in a hurry and it was a hot day so by the time I got it out of the crate and hooked up to the tractor I didn't feel like adjusting it much and just went with where the roller, skid etc were at. Overall it cut good for the height of the grass/weeds but when I looked at it once I was done it was fairly uneven. You could see a line about 2 inches taller left on each pass.

So how should it be setup? If I'm sitting on level ground should the roller and skids touch? Should it be level front to back or tilted? I tired looking at the manual but it didn't really seem to have much in it.

​

If you look at their online videos they recommend that the top link pin should be slightly behind the lower pins and make sure to level the mower (left to right) with the adjustable down link. The roller is adjusted to suit conditions and the skids should be raised above a level surface as they are designed to only skid across uneven ground. Also take a pic of the drive belt label before they burn up, makes it easier when searching for replacement since Bestco only lists replacement belts by mower model not belt size. My original belts lasted only a few hours despite several adjustments.

 

[dieselscout80]

Alamo says this:
7. SETTING THE MOWER
After the mower is attached to the tractor’s 3-point hitch, but before the universal slip joint is installed, and with the mower on the ground, adjust the top link of the hitch to make the mower gearbox input shaft parallel to the tractor PTO shaft.

This relationship provides optimum operation of the universal joints in the driveline.

A driveline that is not parallel to the PTO will result in vibration due to the characteristic of a universal joint that results in the output end speeding up and slowing down twice each revolution of the universal jointed shaft.

Adjust the top link whenever the cutting height is changed.

Properly setting the cutting height is essential for efficient and safe operation. A properly set mower will make a more uniform cut, distribute clippings more evenly, require minimal tractor work, and follow the contour of uneven terrain.

 

[ShowroomShine]

I picked up a used Bush Hog FH188 flail. Upon getting it greased and oil changed I started it up and noticed some “clanging” in the mower. I ran it for a few passes and then looked under it, I noticed that it looks like the blades are hitting the deck right at the front edge in an even pattern all the way across. The rotor looks straight but I have not tried your string trick.

I’m guessing it could be the wrong blades were installed at some point? They are scoop type, but don’t look exactly like the ones for this model. When I pull one of the blades outward from the rotor to the deck housing it may have enough clearance to slide a business card between the blade and housing.

Any ideas?

 

[Fallon]

I picked up a used Bush Hog FH188 flail. Upon getting it greased and oil changed I started it up and noticed some “clanging” in the mower. I ran it for a few passes and then looked under it, I noticed that it looks like the blades are hitting the deck right at the front edge in an even pattern all the way across. The rotor looks straight but I have not tried your string trick.

I’m guessing it could be the wrong blades were installed at some point? They are scoop type, but don’t look exactly like the ones for this model. When I pull one of the blades outward from the rotor to the deck housing it may have enough clearance to slide a business card between the blade and housing.

Any ideas?

You can see the rear of my $100 Ford 917. I was getting knife strikes on the back & torched out the bent bits. Welded some patches over the holes.

Previous owner removed knives, presumably due to hitting the hood. At first I thought it was some previous patches welded inside, but it turned out to be a tweaked hood. Lasted for a few years then got retired. Under $500 in it total with repairs for 4ish years of light commercial usage. Was a decent deal. Still ran fine last time I parked it.

 

[Lnk]

You can see the rear of my $100 Ford 917. I was getting knife strikes on the back & torched out the bent bits. Welded some patches over the holes.

Previous owner removed knives, presumably due to hitting the hood. At first I thought it was some previous patches welded inside, but it turned out to be a tweaked hood. Lasted for a few years then got retired. Under $500 in it total with repairs for 4ish years of light commercial usage. Was a decent deal. Still ran fine last time I parked it.View attachment 704564

What model of Everlast welder is that? Nice workshop.

 

[Fallon]

Miller Maxtar 200 stick/tig machine not seen. Everlast PowerPlasma 60s plasma cutter. I don't use the plasma as much as I expected, but it's worked good when I needed it, like for torching off the bent bits of the flail hood. I wouldn't hesitate to get another Everlast machine & keep thinking about them for a MIG welder.

 

[allen ledford]

I can't stand it any longer. I just got to get me one of these damn FLAIL mowers. I live in north central Louisiana and we have no dealers in my part of the woods. I have been looking at a CARONI brand mower 73" for about $ 2600.00

Do any of you guys have any info on this brand. this REDNECK COONASS needs some help. My tractor is 65 HP.
Thanks for info,
Allen

 

[Beeenvenue]

I can't stand it any longer. I just got to get me one of these damn FLAIL mowers. I live in north central Louisiana and we have no dealers in my part of the woods. I have been looking at a CARONI brand mower 73" for about $ 2600.00

Do any of you guys have any info on this brand. this REDNECK COONASS needs some help. My tractor is 65 HP.
Thanks for info,
Allen

I looked for a year and decided to go used instead of new, since my property in n Texas is nowhere close to flat (didn’t want to spend a fortune and have to get rid of it if it scalped, etc). Check FB marketplace and Craigslist - I could never find anything here but found several nice looking used machines in Miss and La. Spend a grand or so, assume you need to add $200 for new knives/hammers etc and learn at half price. If you like it you can keep it or resell and then buy new once you know more of what you are looking for.

I had settled on a woodmaxx or del Morino machine if I was going to buy new but would have really considered the caroni.

 

[dieselscout80]

With 65HP you can handle a much larger flail at least 8’.

 

[Lnk]

With 65HP you can handle a much larger flail at least 8’.

I agree, with 65 hp you really are limiting yourself with a 6' flail. I run a 9' Dandl behind my 70 hp deutz. Unless I am in 4' tall thick green grass, I don't even notice it. I am also pretty sure my D7007 doesn't have 70hp anymore, either.

 

[Lnk]

Miller Maxtar 200 stick/tig machine not seen. Everlast PowerPlasma 60s plasma cutter. I don't use the plasma as much as I expected, but it's worked good when I needed it, like for torching off the bent bits of the flail hood. I wouldn't hesitate to get another Everlast machine & keep thinking about them for a MIG welder.

Saw the color and assumed it was a welder. I have had my 200st for a few years now, and it impresses me everytime I use it. Just used it today welding on new cat2 ball ends (I guess that is what they are called) on my 3point lift arms.

 

[saxtonhill]

Agree that is at least part of his problem but I'd think there would be many others with similar complaints if it was just the lack of crawl speed. He has a tractor that puts out about 10 more HP than mine does and I don't need to "crawl".

I know I'm reporting to an old post but hopefully someone sees it and it's of some use:

After reading this thread since the beginning starting a week ago, I figured I'd do a test. My setup is a Kubota L4600 and a TM1900BSC that I bought used this year. I have replace all crappy flails and a few shackles that were binding. My roller is set to the 2nd lowest setting.

I have lots of pasture type acreage (40 areas of hillside and sort of flat) that I mow usually once a year after the birds are done nesting. I also have about 8 acres that I mow between my walnut trees. By the time I mow the grass and weeds are 5 foot tall.

Today I mowed about an acre with the Caroni on float using 2nd gear low range. With a few stops here and there due to very thick grass sections, it mowed without issue and resulted in a gorgeous bed of mulch.

I am amazed at the difference from using my Woods BX72 (?). Although I could go faster, 3rd gear low range, I had to set it at about 10" and it did a messy job.

Anyway, that's the test. Love the Caroni so far.

 

[jthibodeau89]

I can't stand it any longer. I just got to get me one of these damn FLAIL mowers. I live in north central Louisiana and we have no dealers in my part of the woods. I have been looking at a CARONI brand mower 73" for about $ 2600.00

Do any of you guys have any info on this brand. this REDNECK COONASS needs some help. My tractor is 65 HP.
Thanks for info,
Allen

A Deere 390 will run very well with 65HP