Thought backing up a flail mower was a no-no

zonedar · Jan 18, 2020

Got a Del Morino 52" coming on Monday. Been poking around and found this:

Skip to about 45 seconds in and you'll see the guy operating the mower in reverse. Have I read things wrong? Thought it was recommended to not run it while reversing.

Gonna be mowing in a forest of Doug fir. Will make my life a lot easier if I can back it over stuff occasionally.

Greenland South · Jan 18, 2020

I cut while backing up with mine frequently. Not had any issues. The cut is not nearly as nice though.

TerryR · Jan 18, 2020

What you don't see is what the cut looks like after he backed up. If my experience is any guide he needed to go back forward over that same ground to get a decent cut. Mine does a very poor job of cutting in reverse.

The manufacturer of mine says not to do that, but doesn't say why. I'm guessing it's because it's a ditch and bank model, and there's a good chance of damaging the arms that let it swing to the side if you hit something in reverse. That issue doesn't apply as much to the model you have.

Fallon · Jan 18, 2020

It doesn't cut for beans while backing up. Maybe half of the material gets cut. Never bothered to figure out if it was the knife/hammer rotation or the roller pushing stuff down. As long as there isnt any obstacles or ditches to run into there are no issues. Other than it not cutting well.

I often back over stuff if pathing requires it. Then I just drive forward over the s as me ground to actually cut it well. My Peruzzo with hammers & old Ford 917 both behaved like this.