Flail Mower

[OrangeColoredTractor]

OK, looking to buy a new flail mower, 60" wide. Not the fancy sliding or tilting type. Anyway, I have an L2501 HST, just under 20HP at the PTO.

Found a Mechmaxx unit, new, 1900, rated for 15-30HP. But the word light duty worries me. I dont like light duty. I want durability.

So looked at the next side upgrade, price only about $300 more, but it reads 30-50HP. Still a 60" unit.

I'm thinning forest ground cover, small saplings sprouting it. Entire area already thinned by a fencon forest mulcher.

I want the bigger unit, but will my tractor run it OK or overload or force my tractor to work too hard. I'm not too far off on the HP rating for the larger unit.

What would you do?

 

[dirtydeed]

I'd go for the heavier duty model. Generally, flail mowers don't require as much HP as other cutters.

I have a similar HP tractor running a 53" flail (with hammers). No issue doing the types of cutting that you posted. In very tall/thick grass (2 ft tall plus), I need to slow it down a bit.

Make sure to choose the cutter type carefully. For what you describe, I'd suggest hammers as well.

 

[JonM]

my flail requires a higher rpm in order to engage the pto without stalling. its an 84" on a l6060.

 

[Sidekick]

I think the heavier duty ones have a larger capacity max cut that raises the HP spec. Some have larger heavier drums and lower gear ratios for tip speed also.
I finally got the replacement parts damaged in shipping and was able to try the MechMaxx flail I bought last spring last month. If you have a problem there's no replacement parts and can take months to get support. First use after about 5 minutes I heard a loud noise and then a couple minutes another noise and then a couple more. Looked back and it was mowing stripes. Turned out the bolts holding the hammers were breaking and hammers flying out. Found 2 of the 4. I recommend buying better bolts to replace the factory ones and an extra box of hammers with a MechMaxx unit. (No problem since replaing the bolts with grade 5) Also plan on waiting a long time for support and parts if it comes damaged or defective. I think the drum on mine may be imbalanced because it shakes the tractor bad when running with all the hammers in place. I wouldn't buy anything from MechMaxx again.
Should have listened to my dealer and bought the DelMarino funny top he sold. That thing ran smooth and required less HP with the precision gearbox. Cost more but would have been worth it looking back.