The definition of insanity with a Del Morino flail ...

[mcmxi]

.... is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome.

Let me start by saying that I have no problem with Del Morino and clearly I'm the issue when it comes to using the Centurion Super 158. In my defense, cutting for the first time in any area where the vegetation is 3ft to 6ft tall is a challenge, particularly if you're being paid to do the work. You have no idea what's out there so it's not hard to run over objects.

I bought the Del Morino 2-1/2 years ago and have used it a lot. It's even made me some money. When it arrived from GWTC the bar that supports the front guards was bent during shipping. I straightened it and Courtney sent me a new bar and gave me a discount on the sale for my troubles. All was good.

I managed to damage the bar again earlier in the year running over the wood block that I use to support one of the trailer jacks. The grass, was long, I was in a rush and once again the bar was damaged. I made a replacement bar which is easy to do, and once again all was good. However, on a recent job I managed to damage the bar again by running over something that the hammers couldn't break apart fast enough. Whatever I ran over, probably a log, decided to exit out the front and tear up the the third bar that has been in that implement.

So here's where the insanity comes in. If I simply make another bar, it's a sure bet that it too will get damaged. So my plan is to make the bar hinged rather than fixed so that it has a chance to move up and out of the way.

Step one was to remove the damaged bar and guards. Step two is to repair the guards which is easy enough with the blacksmithing hammers that I made a few years ago. Step three will be to fabricate something that allows the rod that the guards swing on to also swing. It shouldn't be too hard so stay tuned if this sort of thing interests you.

Here's the carnage from the last job.

 

[woodman55]

Have you looked at other brands to see how they mount their shield ?

 

[hedgerow]

Nice set of hammers. I would throw that set up away and make one that used chains like on most of the heavier flex wing mowers have. Even the mowers that have the belting guard don't last and get tore up. I try to keep the trash pickup out of my road ditches but no matter how careful I am normally I hit something before the mowing season is over. That guard you have on that mower wouldn't last long around here.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

.... is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome.

Let me start by saying that I have no problem with Del Morino and clearly I'm the issue when it comes to using the Centurion Super 158. In my defense, cutting for the first time in any area where the vegetation is 3ft to 6ft tall is a challenge, particularly if you're being paid to do the work. You have no idea what's out there so it's not hard to run over objects.

I bought the Del Morino 2-1/2 years ago and have used it a lot. It's even made me some money. When it arrived from GWTC the bar that supports the front guards was bent during shipping. I straightened it and Courtney sent me a new bar and gave me a discount on the sale for my troubles. All was good.

I managed to damage the bar again earlier in the year running over the wood block that I use to support one of the trailer jacks. The grass, was long, I was in a rush and once again the bar was damaged. I made a replacement bar which is easy to do, and once again all was good. However, on a recent job I managed to damage the bar again by running over something that the hammers couldn't break apart fast enough. Whatever I ran over, probably a log, decided to exit out the front and tear up the the third bar that has been in that implement.

So here's where the insanity comes in. If I simply make another bar, it's a sure bet that it too will get damaged. So my plan is to make the bar hinged rather than fixed so that it has a chance to move up and out of the way.

Step one was to remove the damaged bar and guards. Step two is to repair the guards which is easy enough with the blacksmithing hammers that I made a few years ago. Step three will be to fabricate something that allows the rod that the guards swing on to also swing. It shouldn't be too hard so stay tuned if this sort of thing interests you.

Here's the carnage from the last job.

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Ouch…that’s unfortunate for sure.

I’ve always been curious about flail mowers. Seems like they would cut better (than a brush cutter / rotary cutter)

Which would be worse, hitting a log or something or whatever happened there, or coming across a piece of wire or fence or something like that? …I would almost think the drum might strangle itself?

 

[#40Fan]

I would add four more supports for the bars. Two more for each side.

 

[S-G-R]

Looking forward ro seeing what you come with. Nice hammer

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I'm in the replace with chains camp too.

 

[ejb11235]

Looking forward ro seeing what you come with. Nice hammer

I too admired the hammer

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Adding more supports is a good idea, but I would be leaning toward the chains myself.

I might even go so far as to make the "Z" channel (that hold the chains up) out of something "stupid strong"like 3/8 or 7/16, as well as, a few more attach points for said channel. (5 or 6 ?)

 

[woodman55]

The issue with chains is, they hang "down" when the mower is used on it's end, ie mower the face of a hedge row or trimming back limbs growing out into a road.

 

[mcmxi]

Have you looked at other brands to see how they mount their shield ?

Not really but that would probably be a good idea.

 

[mcmxi]

Nice set of hammers. I would throw that set up away and make one that used chains like on most of the heavier flex wing mowers have. Even the mowers that have the belting guard don't last and get tore up. I try to keep the trash pickup out of my road ditches but no matter how careful I am normally I hit something before the mowing season is over. That guard you have on that mower wouldn't last long around here.

The only problem with chains is that the cutting head can be orientated vertically, which means that the chains would be hanging down parallel to the axis of the cutting drum and basically doing nothing. Admittedly it's a special case, but it might explain why Del Morino designed the guard system the way that they did.

 

[mcmxi]

The issue with chains is, they hang "down" when the mower is used on it's end, ie mower the face of a hedge row or trimming back limbs growing out into a road.

Ooops ... you beat me to it.

 

[mcmxi]

I would add four more supports for the bars. Two more for each side.

This is a good idea, but the forces generated are significant and even with more supports, if the hinge bar is fixed it'll get damaged again. That's my thought at least.

 

[mcmxi]

I have some thinking and planning to do so don't have much of an update other than I rather foolishly ran the flail for 30 minutes yesterday with no guards, but in an area I know well. That said, any small rock or stone could have broken the rear glass or worse.

Thanks for the hammer interest. I've made quite a few tools including hammers, axes, wedges, punches, tongs etc., and here are the four blacksmithing hammers that I made. They all have different purposes, i.e. they move the metal in different directions/quantities relative to the swing. I didn't make the handles but I did attach them to the hammer heads using a wedge and glue system.

 

[mcmxi]

Ouch…that’s unfortunate for sure.

I’ve always been curious about flail mowers. Seems like they would cut better (than a brush cutter / rotary cutter)

Which would be worse, hitting a log or something or whatever happened there, or coming across a piece of wire or fence or something like that? …I would almost think the drum might strangle itself?

I have a flail, 7ft rotary cutter and a 12ft folding rotary cutter. The flail is the most versatile by far, and gives the best cut quality on grass, weeds, etc. I've ran over all manner of stuff and the flail has handled it well, and that includes some sheep fence. The guard is the only thing I've damaged and I can't fault Del Morino for the design. They can't design for every use and they certainly don't expect the user to be running over an 18" section of 8"x8" or 16" logs of oak, fir, larch or whatever.

I should make the point that the Del Morino I have is not an industrial grade implement. It's intended for farms and small properties, not 8 hours a day cleaning up the sides of an interstate highway. Del Morino does make models better suited for heavy use, as do some other manufacturers. One day I'd be interested in a beast of a flail for the M6060 but it's not a priority.

 

[The Evil Twin]

What about moving the bar up higher? You would have to fab and weld brackets to the front. Also need longer "flaps" to make up the difference.

 

[mcmxi]

What about moving the bar up higher? You would have to fab and weld brackets to the front. Also need longer "flaps" to make up the difference.

View attachment 134293

That was my first thought, but there's a clearance issue since the cutting head rotates. I'm going to add another bar above the opening but it'll be in two sections. I'll make "links" that suspend the current bar where it currently sits. I think it'll work out and cost me next to nothing.

 

[woodman55]

That was my first thought, but there's a clearance issue since the cutting head rotates. I'm going to add another bar above the opening but it'll be in two sections. I'll make "links" that suspend the current bar where it currently sits. I think it'll work out and cost me next to nothing.

Post pictures please.

 

[mcmxi]

Post pictures please.

I started working on the flail guard late yesterday afternoon and got back on it this morning. The photos below show my concept of allowing the entire guard system to swing up and out of the way in the event of a big object trying to exit through the front of the flail. Rather than have the flaps swing on a fixed rod that's in the path of the exit chute, the rod is now suspended from another rod which acts like a hinge.

I have a 9/16" rod across the top that's supported in three places, and the flaps hang on another rod that will be supported in four places. The first photo shows the position of the guard in its "natural" position, and the second photo shows it swung up and out of the way so that the main support rod is much less likely to be bent or damaged. The lower rod will be removable and replaceable in case this system doesn't work as well as I hope. Both rods rotate freely, but the upper rod is not easily removable.

I think that this should work very well but only time and use will tell. The big question is whether or not the entire guard can react fast enough i.e. swing up and out of the way, in the event that a large/hard piece of whatever tries to exit out the front. I'll post another photo or two once I'm done.