Flail mower for BX23S

[CedarFallFarm]

Hello!
I have been wanting to get a flail mower for my BX23S - I currently have a loader and backhoe on it. For background, I'm a 58yo woman who is very NEW to tractors (even though I've had this one for a couple years, I have not done a lot with it except pull some rocks and stumps and spread gravel). I need to keep trails open on my land and cut back some fields. I have read on here that flail mowers are good for that type of thing and would like to pick one up soon.
I need some help with it - I don't know all the ins and outs of the tractor, and am very cautious when running it. I do the maintenance (ie greasing) on it myself. Right now I have about 44 hours on it. When I look at Bestco's 48" mower, it says " 2 rear remote hydraulic ports (4 hoses), or a single hydraulic port (2 hoses) if you get the optional float or non-float valve controller."
Do I have the hydraulic ports on my little guy? Do I need the optional float controller?
What else should I be buying with the mower? Should I get extra blades and belts? I have had a little experience with small engines and can usually YT my way through stuff.
Thank you!

 

[Russell King]

You probably do NOT have a hydraulic rear remote on the tractor. BUT you do have a single hydraulic output line that goes to the backhoe. There is also a hydraulic return line from the backhoe to the tractor.

If you have ever removed the backhoe you should have had to remove two hose connections and then connect those loose ends together. They should have some quick disconnects on the hoses that are male and female ends to make the connections easy to both the hoe and the tractor. So you have the hydraulic connection that they require.

But you really don’t need the optional hydraulics on the flail mower to use it, it just makes some adjustment or use easier.

As a tractor user the addition of two rear remote valves would allow the adjustment of the three point hitch much easier. But it sounds like you have no rear mounted implements yet so are missing out on some useful tools for your property. Look into “top and tilt for rear implements”.

There is a member (vendor) here that has a COMPANY that builds the custom hydraulic cylinders that I can recommend highly. That member is @MtnViewRanch.

 

[Bee-Positive]

As Russel King states you don't need hydraulics on the flail mower.

If you'll be happy with a flail mower directly behind the tractor then you can save some $$$ by getting one without hydraulics and not having to add rear remotes.

If you want to offset the mower to one side as you mow, like doing ditches, along fence lines, or making trails wider, then yes get one with hydraulics and add rear remotes to your tractor.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

You should really be looking at a 41" as the HP requirements of the 48" are over what you have available by quite a bit.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Hello!
I have been wanting to get a flail mower for my BX23S - I currently have a loader and backhoe on it. For background, I'm a 58yo woman who is very NEW to tractors (even though I've had this one for a couple years, I have not done a lot with it except pull some rocks and stumps and spread gravel). I need to keep trails open on my land and cut back some fields. I have read on here that flail mowers are good for that type of thing and would like to pick one up soon.
I need some help with it - I don't know all the ins and outs of the tractor, and am very cautious when running it. I do the maintenance (ie greasing) on it myself. Right now I have about 44 hours on it. When I look at Bestco's 48" mower, it says " 2 rear remote hydraulic ports (4 hoses), or a single hydraulic port (2 hoses) if you get the optional float or non-float valve controller."
Do I have the hydraulic ports on my little guy? Do I need the optional float controller?
What else should I be buying with the mower? Should I get extra blades and belts? I have had a little experience with small engines and can usually YT my way through stuff.
Thank you!

"2 rear remote hydraulic ports (4 hoses), or a single hydraulic port (2 hoses) if you get the optional float or non-float valve controller."

Please post a link to where you found that statement. The only hydraulic option I see for the 48" model(s) is offset which requires one remote directional control valve (two hoses). You cannot use the backhoe outlets for that.

Dan

 

[imarobot]

There also some flail mowers that can be manually offset without the need for hydraulics.

 

[Blue2Orange]

Model and make the OP might consider. Have been considering the Del Morino Funny Top 42" or 52" for the BX23. Manual 8" offset if needed. ~$4K after adding couple extra belts and hammer blades with hardware kit. 52" is QH compatible and not much heavier than the 42". IIRC, the 2380 has pto rated at ~17hp.

 

[GibbyESS9]

I have the Betstco 48 inch on my bx23s. Hammer blades and use it for trails and small shrubs. Never had a problem with power but I only use it twice per year really. For the price you can’t beat it. Not sure how it would hold up if you used it every week etc.

 

[BonnySlope]

Hello all, Cedar Falls I run Betstco 41" EFGC-105 with hammers blade on my BX2380 with no difficulties, whether backing in or using loader to push or lay down heavier brush except for the time I got buried in a hidden (didn't see it) mud bog. I wanted to stay inside wheel suggestion if you don't have already get a skid pan, inexpensive protection for this mighty little Subcompact work horse. The hammer blade do cut grass very nice also.

 

[Blue2Orange]

+1 on the skid plate. Have the BXpand version. If needing to. Easy and quick to mount and remove. Not much ground clearance in the BX23s. Plus the plastic cooling fan that is somewhat exposed and apparently a pita to remove and replace if you snag a stick into it.