MMM or 48" flail?

[LindenBruce]

Hello all,

Looking to find a replacement for the LGT2654 Husky. The thing is giving me fits. Just had to remove the engine and do a lower engine gasket reseal and now the electrical system won't charge. So......

Been looking at the Max 25 and trying to find info on the eMax 25 as well. How well do the Max's Mid Mount Mowers cut grass and weeds? Do they cut fairly evenly from side to side? Are they more of a good finishing mower type of cut? And how do the MMM's compare to a 48" flail mower?

I do have some lawn to cut but mostly lower front pasture grass and weeds that I need to keep cut down. Right now the Husky is doing it all. But the Husky deck does not cut very well and it takes 50% over lapping passes to get a good cut. I'm thinking I could go the Max with a 48" flail for the lower stuff and just use the Husky for the lawn.

I also have need of a loader and a small box scraper along with a yard rake. I have a lot of rocks on the back 7 to get cleared off. Right now I only work the front acre. It's been hard to find solid specs on the eMax 25. Hello, Mahindra, are you listening? McFly McFly...

Is the eMax25 just a slightly smaller chassis than the Max 25? Does the eMax 25 use the same engine and hydraulics as the Max 25? Thanks all, B.

 

[jimpen]

I bought a Max 25 with FEL, BH, and MMM. All three have done the job well. I did have to borrow/rent a bush hog to knock down the majority of +2' high weeds/grass on the first pass. But since then the MMM has done it all in essentially one pass with no issues. There were areas that I didn't knock down with the bush hog so the first time through I do slow half passes.

I'm not sure what the comparison to a 48" flail would be.

As far as the lack of eMax info -- this is the first year for all those models. So there isn't much commentary yet.

 

[architect]

my dealer says the tip speed of blades is 17500 rpm, industry max. is 18000, orange tractors are 14000 (think he said rpm ?).
Also models are made in Korea, Japan or India and in my area are assembled in PA. Very short supply because very new, the first models they got were assembled on a Wednesday and delivered on Friday, latest order will be up to one month, they have sold everyone they got in.

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

Will this help with any of your questions?

 

[tcartwri]

Did you price the flail yet? Pretty sure that will kill the deal.

 

[DavesTractor]

Is the eMax25 just a slightly smaller chassis than the Max 25? Does the eMax 25 use the same engine and hydraulics as the Max 25? Thanks all, B.

The Max is heavier but it is otherwise about the same size as the eMax. They share the same tires/wheels, but are otherwise entirely different tractors. Nothing else is the same, not the engine, not the hydraulics, not the loader, etc. The eMax is built similar to a BX with a ladder frame and components bolted to it. The Max is built like a typical 50 HP tractor, just smaller.

If you like the size of the Max, then the eMax will be the right size for you. It is lighter and might be a better mowing tractor for that reason. There is more plastic on the eMax, which is normal for the ladder frame tractors in this size range. The eMax should be less $$ also.

Then again, for not that much more, you can get a regular Max and they are really hard to beat. It will be interesting to watch customers make this decision and see what the sales numbers are a year from now.

 

[DavesTractor]

Linden Bruce,

I should also mention that the engine used in the Max 28 is the same engine used in the Max 25, rated at slightly less RPM. It easily handles a 60" flail. Horsepower aside, a mower is often picked by the type of work. A flail struggles with really tall weeds/grass as it is determined to chew up all of the material into little bits and holds too much grass aloft if you try too fast a travel speed. You have to go slow with a flail with real tall stuff. A rotary cutter will slash it down and leave it a little rough, but they are pretty fast even in tall conditions. A finish mower, if set pretty low and if the grass is not overly tall gives a really nice cut, whether it is under the tractor as a MMM or a pull behind. But a finish mower is not so good with rocks and branches and other obstacles.

You should have one of each, that is my thought!

 

[LindenBruce]

Yes, I have priced the 48" flail and it ain't that bad really. They are between 1300-1700 depending on who you buy it from. About the same cost as the MMM correct? Thanks for the PDF Galen. It shows these two tractors are very similar in specs. So I guess that would be a wash when it comes to considering one over the other.

Flail's are very common in the orchards around here. In fact, I think that's all the farmers are using. And they do a very good job of smashing the weeds that's for sure.

What I'm thinking is maybe the eMax can replace the Husky and do the other stuff I need it to as well. Or maybe keep the Husky for lawn work only and get the Max 25. It's interesting on that PDF that the engine is rated at 22 hp for each of the three eMax's with 20 pto hp. BUT, the Max 25 shows 25 hp and 20 pto hp. The Max 28 is dimensionally bigger than the Max 25. For what I plan to use it for, I think that dimensionally that is going to be getting to big for me in this application.

I am considering everyone's input. Thanks guys. B.

 

[LindenBruce]

It's also interesting to see blade tip speeds listed on MMM's. But I can't seem to find anything for the same on my Husky lawn mower. I wonder what the blades are turning at. And if that's why it doesn't cut to well in anything but short thin grass. Hum..... B.

 

[jimpen]

I can only think of of the Husky as an MTD POS. I did over ten years of using them and burning them out on the four plus acres that I mow. And that was all it really did was mow. :banghead:

I finally bought my Mahindra Max25 last year as I said above, it has made a difference already. The FEL has allowed me to clean up chunks of my property that has not been touched in years. I bought a set of palette forks that have allowed me to clean up crap that has been sitting for years.

The BH has allowed me to dig a burn pit that let's me get rid of the crap with out using a dumpster at rental prices.

I don't know enough about the eMax style, but all I can think is that they are just overloaded MTD styles, but I could be wrong.

But whether you go with the Max or eMax I would add a FEL regardless. The resale value changes significantly. There was more than once I saw a a tractor for sale by the road. I would barely slow down for the tractor with a mower only. The ones with a FEL I would make a point to stop and look at.

 

[LindenBruce]

I hear you jimpen, I hear you. I'm sure the eMax is a very good unit knowing Mahindra. I'm absolutely positive the eMax's are not MTD units. I have a request in to a dealer to take a few pics and forward to me. I will definitely be getting a FEL. Plus an appropriately sized box scraper and a yard rake as I have a ton of rocks I need to get cleaned up.

I took some rocks and laid out the known dimensions of the eMax and the Max with my Husky in the middle. Width wise they are not much different between each other, but length wise they kill the Husky. Which is not a problem I know because of the FEL out front and the 3pt out back. So I can live with that. I can't seem to find the WHEEL BASE of either of the Mahindra's. Kinda odd.

It's to bad the max 25 is on it's way out and availability is limited. By the time I get to making a purchase in about two months they may be all gone. Keeping my fingers crossed and making a final decision. B.

 

[DavesTractor]

Yes, I have priced the 48" flail and it ain't that bad really. They are between 1300-1700 depending on who you buy it from. About the same cost as the MMM correct? Thanks for the PDF Galen. It shows these two tractors are very similar in specs. So I guess that would be a wash when it comes to considering one over the other.

Flail's are very common in the orchards around here. In fact, I think that's all the farmers are using. And they do a very good job of smashing the weeds that's for sure.

Typically the flails in orchards in our area are Rears or Vrisimo brands. You'll have to triple (at least) the $1300-$1700 you mentioned to get into a commercial grade flail like the Oregon built Rears or the California built Vrisimo. But they last forever and are smooth and quiet. Worth it if you have a lot of mowing, like acres and acres every week. A 72" Vrisimo is about $5k. The smaller 48" will be around $4k. A 10 foot is about $10k, +/- depending on model. High entry price, cheap after that. Some of these are used 8-12 hours per day for weeks on end. Most homeowners would be hard pressed to justify the expense though as an import can do a pretty good job for a bunch less but they won't stand up to hundreds of hours per year. There is a place for Snap-On, and a place for Harbor Freight, it depends on a number of factors.

With a flail, you can mow an orchard really low and pick up any pieces of nuts, sticks, etc. and keep the orchard floor really clean. And you can mow pretty fast if the grass is not too high. I do several acres/hour with a 10' Vrisimo we use on our place.

 

[architect]

the eMax is built with a frame like the Kubota BX, just measured the width and eMax was up to two inches wider than Max 24 (new model that replaces Max 25) and it sits a little lower. Both the Max and eMax take the same backhoe both have same FEL lifting but eMax has ONE cylinder at middle of bucket verses two at each side of bucket on Max. Both MMM are the same. eMax is new and just released in Feb. Max series is being revised with less models.

 

[whiz]

Just got home from buying an eMax 22 at our local dealer. It definitely is NOT an MTD piece of junk, I know, I've had several of those. Without crawling around in and under it, it's very little different from the Max 22 just as someone posted here above. Sitting in the seat I really saw little difference in them (actually preferred the look and feel of the eMax controls) and I really liked the eMax dual hydro peddles vs. the treadle peddle on the Max 22. The wife prefers the dual also, and you know the saying, "When mama's happy....etc.".

I was quoted $2310 for the mid mount (60") and $2,021 for a 60" 3 pt. mounted finish mower. You might do better than that on the 3 pt mounted. That might be a consideration for you rather than a flail. I'm going with a 3pt. finish mower at some point due to the on and off convenience (also bought a quick hitch, making it better) and I don't have anything to mow around in my pastures to be concerned about the maneuverability of it. The MTD junkers will still mow the yard areas.

 

[LindenBruce]

Just curious, why the 22 over the 25? The side by side hydro pedals is very appealing to me as well.

I prefer flails over rotary cutters because you have way less rear end swing to compensate for when turning. With a 48" flail, it only sticks out out behind you by about 24-30". But with a 48" rotary cutter it sticks out at least 48" behind you. Which means you have to be careful when turning so the mower doesn't take out something you don't want taken out. That's why I am doing the flail over the rotary. Plus flails are every where around here so getting blades is a walk in the park. B.

 

[Browneyesvictim]

I have drawn some conclusions for myself in these same type of decisions. Of course you know what they say about opinions...

If you want to do some heavy digging with a FEL or BH you WANT a full frame tractor. The eMax is not a MTD, but IMHO not even in the same league as a MAX 22/25/28. If someone is looking for a big boy tractor and not just a mower, they might as well step up to a full frame. The Max fills the gap in an amazing way no other brand does.

The choice of grass cutting implements all depends on the terrain you wish to mow and the finish you expect. In my case, the land I mow has tree roots sticking up, and is terribly uneven/choppy ground. I considered a flail for this but went with a MMM instead. Hands down glad I did! I brush-hogged the first few times mowing when I moved to the property and got a feel for "what lies beneath". A flail is much more forgiving on that kind of stuff and would serve the same purpose... But- that being said, now I set the MMM at the highest level and GO!!!! Now that I'm confident I won't hit anything, I maneuver around trees, and tight corners mowing is so much more enjoyable and faster not always twisting around behind me at a 3-pt mower. Now I'm filling in around low spots and roots. It's still all natural grown "weeds", as I don't want the expense of maintaining grass, but I like the finish and enjoy mowing and the blade is getting lower each year the more I groom the soil.