Peruzzo Fox Cross 1600 Ditch & Bank Mower Review

[Buka]

Thanks Leon. I was hoping to have some first hand experience from members here!

 

[TerryR]

Seriously thinking of buying the Peruzzo 1600. Was wondering if you have used it in the 90 Degree range. I am especially wanting to use this to trim brush back of my trail through my 10 acres.

Buka,

I've used it on very steep banks, maybe 75 to 80 degrees, but not freestanding at 90 as you might use to trim brush. On banks you need to control the height off the ground, distance from the bank at the bottom and along the length of the mower. You have the controls to do that, but at least on my setup they are very "jumpy" -- they move very quickly with the engine at PTO speed which you need for decent cutting.

I'd not suppose that's an issue if you are trimming free-standing brush along a trail. What I'd be concerned about is how well it would trim free-standing brush, which can move away from the cutters. As I've pointed out, it does a terrible job with two-foot tall weeds when used on the ground. How that translates to brush I don't know.

 

[leonz]

Good Morning Buka,

Please send a PM to powerscol, He is the proud owner of a small Peruzzo Giraffa flail mower.

He can and will help you make the right decision for your needs as he operates his boom mounted Peruzzo flail mower with his Bobcat 4 wheel drive tractor.He has been very happy with the Peruzzo boom mounted flail mower.

 

[ericm979]

Terry- you can put restrictors in the hydraulics to make the cylinders move slower.

 

[TerryR]

Eric,

It came with orifices in the lines:



Is there something better I could use?

 

[ericm979]

They come in different orifice sizes. See for example Parker XHX7 and LOHL6.

 

[leonz]

Eric,

It came with orifices in the lines:

View attachment 571830

Is there something better I could use?

==========================================================================

Hello Terry,

You could use parker needle valves to add finer control to each cylinder

The parker metric thread needle valve with a 5 gallon per minute maximum flow rate is
part number #6N616S.
The needle valves have color coded rings to allow quick reference point and some models can be locked with an
allen set screw to prevent tampering.

The folks at Cross Hose and Fittings in Ashville, N.C., are the closest to you and they can help you quickly with what you need.

If you decide to visit them bring the mower manual with you and all your hose sizes as it should have all the information they need to provide you with the correct fittings and needle valves for all three hydraulic circuits on the mower.

You can mount the needle valves on each cylinder to control the oil flow speed on each circuit then set them and lock the needle valves in place and never have to worry about it again.

They will help you with what hydraulic parts you need for your flail mower.

 

[aczlan]

Eric,

It came with orifices in the lines:

View attachment 571830

Is there something better I could use?

Are there any numbers on the orifices? That would let you see what size you currently have and either order a smaller one, or the correct flow needle valve.

Aaron Z

 

[TerryR]

==========================================================================

You could use parker needle valves to add finer control to each cylinder

The parker metric thread needle valve with a 5 gallon per minute maximum flow rate is
part number #6N616S.
The needle valves have color coded rings to allow quick reference point and some models can be locked with an
allen set screw to prevent tampering.

The folks at Cross Hose and Fittings in Ashville, N.C., are the closest to you and they can help you quickly with what you need.

Sounds like what I need. But Asheville is two hours each way - not a very inviting drive if I can get what I need without going there.

 

[TerryR]

Are there any numbers on the orifices? That would let you see what size you currently have and either order a smaller one, or the correct flow needle valve.

Aaron Z

Thanks, Aaron. Any idea where they would be? I didn't see any when I had it apart, and there's noting on the machined face you see in the photo.

 

[aczlan]

Thanks, Aaron. Any idea where they would be? I didn't see any when I had it apart, and there's noting on the machined face you see in the photo.

They should be obvious. If not, I would try a drill set to see the hole size and then use the calculator on Surplus Center to see what the flow rate through it is. Then try for perhaps half that flow rate in whatever you choose whether it be a variable restrictor or a fixed orifice.

Aaron Z

 

[Buka]

I really like the looks of this Peruzzo 1600. It appears to be a quality product. But at $5499 from Iowa Farm Equipment it is $3399 more than a Victory mower of almost the same size at $2100. Really a hard decision!

 

[TerryR]

They should be obvious. If not, I would try a drill set to see the hole size and then use the calculator on Surplus Center to see what the flow rate through it is. Then try for perhaps half that flow rate in whatever you choose whether it be a variable restrictor or a fixed orifice.

Thanks Aaron,

That gives me some ideas to work with.

 

[TerryR]

I really like the looks of this Peruzzo 1600. It appears to be a quality product. But at $5499 from Iowa Farm Equipment it is $3399 more than a Victory mower of almost the same size at $2100. Really a hard decision!

I agree, Buka. It's a well built machine. But the price is a barrier.

 

[leonz]

Hello Terry,

The Parker folks have a find a distributor link and there were other parker suppliers and I did not make list but I can post it late tonight or tomorrow for you.

A parker dealer will also tell you whether you should leave the current restrictors supplied with the mower in the opposing port to have more control of the mower to save you a lot of headaches too.

Cross has offices in Greensboro, Ashville, Winston Salem,and Raleigh N.C.

 

[ericm979]

==========================================================================


You could use parker needle valves to add finer control to each cylinder

The parker metric thread needle valve with a 5 gallon per minute maximum flow rate is
part number #6N616S.

Those are nice valves. I put one on my loader to reduce "bucket flop". But they restrict flow in only one direction. I think this application calls for restricted flow in both directions.

 

[leonz]

Those are nice valves. I put one on my loader to reduce "bucket flop". But they restrict flow in only one direction. I think this application calls for restricted flow in both directions.

======================================================================

Hello ericm979,

This is why I asked Terry to bring all his information about his mower and the metric hose sizes for all three cyclinders if and when he visits the parker dealer as they can help him select the correct needle valve for his needs as they will provide him with the proper valve.

You can purchase a 2 way restricted flow needle valve to control the oil flow from one cylinder port in both directions of travel if desired but; the cost of 2 way needle valve may make purchasing 2 needle valves for each cylinder to control the flow with complete precision at one or two gallons per minute and provide complete control of the individual cylinder.


Leon

 

[leonz]

Good morning TerryR,

Have you had any issues with jerky operation with other hydraulic attachments? When you mentioned jerky operation it made me think that you have air bubbles in the mower hoses and cylinders.


I have to leave, but I wanted to ask this before I forgot about it.


Leon

 

[TerryR]

Those are nice valves. I put one on my loader to reduce "bucket flop". But they restrict flow in only one direction. I think this application calls for restricted flow in both directions.

Yes, you are right, Eric.

 

[TerryR]

The Parker folks have a find a distributor link and there were other parker suppliers and I did not make list but I can post it late tonight or tomorrow for you.

Thanks, Leonz, but their website is down today so I can't check that.

Cross has offices in Greensboro, Ashville, Winston Salem,and Raleigh N.C.

But those are also at least as far away as Ashville.

Have you had any issues with jerky operation with other hydraulic attachments? When you mentioned jerky operation it made me think that you have air bubbles in the mower hoses and cylinders.

No. As you may recall, I'm using the FEL valves, and there is just way too much flow for the two little cylinders on the mower, even with the restrictor orifice. Feathering the joystick helps some, but still they are too quick.