Who's running a flail mower on a BX?

[Boatman]

Boatman, haven't had a chance to cut tall grass over 5" but found a few. to share, here's one with a gentleman and his Deere cutting two type of ground cover with hammers. My dad tests out his new flail mower, and I get free lawn service. (youtube.com)

Thanks for that. I looked at a few vids but they all head right for the brush and have them set to cut as low as possible and mulch the material. I only wish I had vegetation that thick!!

Looks like the flail will work for me and I'll go ahead and order one. If I ever do need to work in the brush and real heavy stuff I can put it on the L2800 for some more horsepower.

Thanks for taking the time and keeping on point.

 

[Boatman]

For rougher grass and light brush, I’d choose Y-blades. Save the hammers for real brush!

Do you have experience with both?

 

[Chad D.]

Do you have experience with both?

I have a WoodMaxx with Y-blades and use it for pasture grasses, blackberries, and other small brush. Under about 1.5” brush is gravy and it obliterates everything. In grass, the cut is not as smooth as a finish mower, but much better than a bush hog/rotary cutter.

I do not have hammers. I have a coworker that has hammers on his Betsco, but his use is different. He is cutting vine maple and poison oak much more than grass.

 

[Boatman]

I have a WoodMaxx with Y-blades and use it for pasture grasses, blackberries, and other small brush. Under about 1.5” brush is gravy and it obliterates everything. In grass, the cut is not as smooth as a finish mower, but much better than a bush hog/rotary cutter.

I do not have hammers. I have a coworker that has hammers on his Betsco, but his use is different. He is cutting vine maple and poison oak much more than grass.

Thank you

 

[Bearcatrp]

Reviving this thread. Am still considering a flail mower for my 1880. From what I have read, mechmax is cheap Chinese junk. Came across a farmery. Anyone know anything about this company or its equipment?

3 Point 53" Flail Mower, PTO Powered 15-35HP Mowing Attachment for Category 1 Tractors, LFS53

Farmry LFS53 flail mower for compact tractors (15–35 HP). Perfect for orchards, vineyards, and 5–15 acre properties. Free U.S. shipping + 12-month warranty.

www.farmry.com

 

[BonnySlope]

Reviving this thread. Am still considering a flail mower for my 1880. From what I have read, mechmax is cheap Chinese junk. Came across a farmery. Anyone know anything about this company or its equipment?

3 Point 53" Flail Mower, PTO Powered 15-35HP Mowing Attachment for Category 1 Tractors, LFS53

Farmry LFS53 flail mower for compact tractors (15–35 HP). Perfect for orchards, vineyards, and 5–15 acre properties. Free U.S. shipping + 12-month warranty.

www.farmry.com

Good luck on your journey, you may look at Beststco whether it be new or used. They are a stocking manufacturing outlet. and you maybe able to locate a good working used mower. Just look at who can support you.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Thanks. Just looked at there web site. Free shipping. Not having any luck finding used. Either to big of they want what a new one would cost. Am in no hurry so plan on looking for a used one if possible.

 

[Blue2Orange]

Considering a flail over brush hog for trail maintenance. Bit lumpy trail and every spring new rocks to boulders appear due to frost heaving. My impressions are that a flail is better for just rough cutting brush and small saplings (less than an inch) v. brush hog?

Any users of the Italian made Del Morino 42" cutting width model?

Smallest WoodMaxx FM-54(47" cut) spec note minimum pto 18hp. BX2380 is 17.7hp pto. Similar implements outside of cost and slightly wider cutting width of the WoodMaxx and the higher minimum pto hp. Del Morino has a manually set off set option of 8" left or right. WoodMaxx seems to be the better value. Lower cost. 3 belt drive. Includes pto connecting drive shaft with slip clutch. Replaceable skid shoes. Concern is with the BX2380's slightly too low and needing every pto hp to run the WoodMaxx FM-54.

 

[BonnySlope]

Smallest WoodMaxx FM-54(47" cut) spec note minimum pto 18hp. BX2380 is 17.7hp pto. Similar implements outside of cost and slightly wider cutting width of the WoodMaxx and the higher minimum pto hp. Del Morino has a manually set off set option of 8" left or right. WoodMaxx seems to be the better value. Lower cost. 3 belt drive. Includes pto connecting drive shaft with slip clutch. Replaceable skid shoes. Concern is with the BX2380's slightly too low and needing every pto hp to run the WoodMaxx FM-54.
[/QUOTE]
I have the Betstco EFGC 105 and my BX powers it fine. Fitted with hammers cutting anything in it's path. I've been reclaiming tree line under brush and pushing my way further in.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Bet your 2380 would handle that with no issues. Sine the BX line is 48 inches wide, am looking at that 53 inch Farmery. Still trying to find out if they buy chinese junk and slap there name on it or a legit business. Bonnyslope, have you tried cutting your lawn with your Betstco?

 

[McMXi]

Bet your 2380 would handle that with no issues. Sine the BX line is 48 inches wide, am looking at that 53 inch Farmery. Still trying to find out if they buy chinese junk and slap there name on it or a legit business. Bonnyslope, have you tried cutting your lawn with your Betstco?

If you don't want Chinese stuff you'll need to buy Land Pride, Maschio, Del Morino, Befco etc. Betstco is Chinese as is MechMaxx and I bet that Farmery is a sticker slapper. I respect companies like WOODMAXX who provide information as to where the product is made.

 

[Blue2Orange]

2" spacers on the BX2380. Guessing that any flail mower wider than the tractor would require more PTO HP than the tractor can deliver. So far, all the mower looked at have 48 inch or less cutting width. The DelMorino 42 IIRC has only a 42" cut. Guessing the BX2380 has enough pto hp. The 32" model needs a minimum of 12 pto hp. Assuming the 52" cut model requires more than the 17.7max pto hp the BX can deliver at 540rpm pto speed.

The manual 8" offset of the DelMorino is an attractive feature. Some internet comments for what they are worth note high quality unit with a history of quality manufacturing and build. Some comments of build issues with the Betstco and at times hard to source parts. Price wise the Betstco seem the least expensive. WoodMaxx intermediate in price. DelMorino at the higher price point.

Are slip clutches standard features of flail mowers?

With the belt drives is there less risk of gear box and/or pto damage? Still would feel more comfortable with a slip clutch. Also, unsure if the flywheel that keeps the rotor spinning after you shutting down the PTO would cause additional damage that a slip clutch might reduce or prevent.

Neighbor that has moved away who I let hunt on the property use to brush hog my trails. The occasional "bang" i would hear from hitting a rock or something was concerning. Wonder how brittle the hammer blades are on some of these flail mowers? Easy to replace?

 

[McMXi]

2" spacers on the BX2380. Guessing that any flail mower wider than the tractor would require more PTO HP than the tractor can deliver. So far, all the mower looked at have 48 inch or less cutting width. The DelMorino 42 IIRC has only a 42" cut. Guessing the BX2380 has enough pto hp. The 32" model needs a minimum of 12 pto hp. Assuming the 52" cut model requires more than the 17.7max pto hp the BX can deliver at 540rpm pto speed.

The manual 8" offset of the DelMorino is an attractive feature. Some internet comments for what they are worth note high quality unit with a history of quality manufacturing and build. Some comments of build issues with the Betstco and at times hard to source parts. Price wise the Betstco seem the least expensive. WoodMaxx intermediate in price. DelMorino at the higher price point.

Are slip clutches standard features of flail mowers?

With the belt drives is there less risk of gear box and/or pto damage? Still would feel more comfortable with a slip clutch. Also, unsure if the flywheel that keeps the rotor spinning after you shutting down the PTO would cause additional damage that a slip clutch might reduce or prevent.

Neighbor that has moved away who I let hunt on the property use to brush hog my trails. The occasional "bang" i would hear from hitting a rock or something was concerning. Wonder how brittle the hammer blades are on some of these flail mowers? Easy to replace?

Chinese stuff is going to be cheaper for sure but my Del Morino has a tough life cutting unknown fields and such, and running over a 16" log buried in the grass isn't uncommon for me. I'll take well-built over cheap any day of the week. The belts work in allowing the drivetrain to slip without damaging the flail or the tractor. I've yet to replace a hammer blade but I have welded a new cutting edge on a couple after whacking a rock. Not hard to do, and removing/installing hammers is easy enough.

I did modify the front guard on my Del Morino after the third time of damaging the rod that the steel flaps hang from. If a big enough object wants to exit stage right it wants to take out everything in its path. No issues since the mod though.

 

[Bearcatrp]

I just shot off a email to farmery to see what they have to say. The machmaxx is $1499, which seems to be the cheapest.

 

[BonnySlope]

Bet your 2380 would handle that with no issues. Sine the BX line is 48 inches wide, am looking at that 53 inch Farmery. Still trying to find out if they buy chinese junk and slap there name on it or a legit business. Bonnyslope, have you tried cutting your lawn with your Betstco?

Yes, I have, not a lot. But can I mention that a flail mower can manicure field grass and groom trails and open field brush, guess what saying is any place I can back into, I can cut., even though forward motion is the best. With the hammer cutters I've felt breaks materiel down better and had more material (big) mass, haven't tried the "y " cutting blades.

 

[Bearcatrp]

I just shot off a email to farmery to see what they have to say. The machmaxx is $1499, which seems to be the cheapest.

Just got a reply. Stated they source out to their specs. Wouldn’t say where. Also stated they have their own engineers and support staff. Probably china or India or anywhere cheap labor can do it.

 

[imarobot]

Chinese stuff is going to be cheaper for sure but my Del Morino has a tough life cutting unknown fields and such, and running over a 16" log buried in the grass isn't uncommon for me. I'll take well-built over cheap any day of the week. The belts work in allowing the drivetrain to slip without damaging the flail or the tractor. I've yet to replace a hammer blade but I have welded a new cutting edge on a couple after whacking a rock. Not hard to do, and removing/installing hammers is easy enough.

I did modify the front guard on my Del Morino after the third time of damaging the rod that the steel flaps hang from. If a big enough object wants to exit stage right it wants to take out everything in its path. No issues since the mod though.

@McMXi, what modification did you do to the steel flap rod. I can see me maybe needing that some day.
Sorry to hijck this thread, but I gotta know

 

[McMXi]

@McMXi, what modification did you do to the steel flap rod. I can see me maybe needing that some day.
Sorry to hijck this thread, but I gotta know

I added a hinge so that the guard support rod can move up and out of the way. I've never had an issue at my place with the flail, but when cutting a property for the first time it's easy to run over stuff that's hidden in the grass. After the third time of needing to repair the rod I decided to make a change.

The bottom photo shows the last time the rod was damaged by a flying log!