What flail mower size for a L3200

[Dodgy]

Hi,

Just after some advice on what size flail mower I could use on my L3200. It's meant to be 32hp and 25hp at the pto.

I don't want to buy a unit that is either too big or too small for my tractor.

I can get a 1430mm (4'6") that the manufacturer says requires 20-30hp, or I can get a 1730mm (5'6") that requires 30-50hp.

This will be my first flail mower so I really don't have any idea about them

Any help will be appreciated.

Regards
Dave

 

[Bulldog]

My first question for you is what are you wanting to do with the flail. Is it for a lawn mower or in brush type application?

The expence of a good flail mower you could buy a 72" finish mower and a 60" rotary cutter. I would love to have a flail myself but in addition to the mowers / cutters I already have. Of course that's just MHO.

 

[Dodgy]

Hi Bulldog,

I've got about 7 acres of mostly velt grass which I like to keep down. I normally use a rotary cutter (slasher in AU). I would say it's more brush application
I've just upgraded the tractor so I've decided to upgrade the mower. Over here there is less than $500 price difference between the flail and a slasher. I thought the flail would be easier to manoeuvre around trees than the slasher and I have also read some good reports on the flail.

Regards
Dave

 

[Bulldog]

Either your cutters are really high or you guys get a deal on flails. Either way if you already have a slasher then I would think the flail would be a nice addition. I would want the wider of the 2 you listed but on the other hand I wouldn't want to have the tractor maxed out all the time. The 5'6" model is rated at 30 hp for a reason. My gut says you would be fine with that model but it's rated at 20% over your pto hp rating. You know better than anyone what you will be cutting. If it's mostly going to be hard heavy cutting then go with the narrow model. If it's mostly light then you may be fine with the bigger one. What does your gut feeling tell you?

I have never used a 3pt flail before. I have a 3pt side boom flail and I love it. Mine is rotor can be powered either direction so it cuts brush or grass great. I just got it earlier this year and still learning what it will do but the more I cut the better I like it.

 

[gpreuss]

Bulldog, send more info on that boom flail mower, please. I was thinking of getting one from Value Leader Implements, but ended up buying my neighbor's sickle bar mower instead. I'm still interested in how the flail mower does. Does it take more hp than a bush hog? Cut like a finish mower?
Pictures?

 

[Bulldog]

This one is a 3pt self contained unit. It's powered by the tractors pto. The flail's rotor is powered by a hydraulic motor and can be run in either direction. Clockwise for cutting grass and counter clockwise for brush. The reason for that is it slings chucks forward at the tractor so it's much better to run it backward when the cutter head is off the ground.

It doesn't really compair to a bushhog as far as the power requirements go. Even though the tractor is only running a hyd pump it's under a constant load the entire time the rotor is being powered. When I get in heavy grass or small trees the load will increase. I'd be willing to say this makes the tractor burn more fuel than anything else I use it for. My L3000 has 32 hp and 27 pto, it handles it just fine.

It doesn't really cut like a finish mower. There's hardly any grass clippings left. The flail mowers chop everything into fine mulch type pieces.

I'm going by memmory so I may be off just a little. The model I have has 10' 6" reach to the side and 14' straight up and has a 30" cut. I don't have a lot of pics but I'll send some of the better ones. By the way, if you do get one I would suggest fluid filling the rear tires if you don't already have it done. If you have any other questions about it I'll gladly do my best to answer them.

 

[gpreuss]

Bulldog,
Thanks for the info and pictures. I believe that costs about 3 years worth of my allowance...
But, I can drool.

 

[Bulldog]

I got real lucky on that mower. Believe it or not it's 13 yrs old. The original owner used it to cut around his ponds instead of weed eating. He died and the wife was scared to use it. $2500 cash and it was mine. I didn't even ask if she would take less, just paid her and loaded it up.

 

[skeets]

DAYUM DAWG you scored big time on that one,,that would be the cats azz for the hill along the road

 

[Bulldog]

That's why I didn't even try to cut her price. I was afraid it would piss her off and she would run me off before I got a chance to snatch it up. The more I use it the better I like it.