Flail Mower

[Anonymous-0]

I am looking for a used flail mower, probably 60in, for mowing 10 acres of grass on a Vermont field. In northern New England, used flails are very hard to find.
Somewhere east of the Mississippi there has to be what I could use. Any ideas from forum readers? Also, three are strong experienced opinions regarding brand. Comments on this question welcomed. Thanks!!

 

[VADAVE]

Well Dennis I have a 16 foot stalk chopper which is really the same thing with different blades. I tried running it with a 1855 Oliver (about 100 hp) and it kills the engine getting it to start turning. Once I got everything turning the 1855 handles it but it is a load. The 2255 Oliver (about 160 hp) handles so much better. I haven't used it yet just made sure it could--however I am expecting it will take between 2 and 3 hours to chop 20 acres of corn stalks.
I have bushhogged those same 20 acres with a 7 foot bushhog, took about 6 hours and I was running about 6 mph. So 60 inch equals 5 foot therefore I would expect 5 to 6 hours to do 10 acres.
How much horsepower? Well 16 footer works 100 hp and I have been told 12 footer works well with 100 hp. So maybe a 5 footer would work with 50 hp.

 

[Anonymous-0]

There are some old flail pull type forage harvesters that were available in 5 and 6 foot models. I have one I used on light brush. Might check old dairies or salvage yards. They were used for direct cut green chop silage. You can remove the blower paddles, spout and cross auger and use it as a mower.

Regards,
Roger in Iowa

 

[RayP(MI)]

I've been using a 7 foot JD flail chopper this way. Takes a fair amount of power. Makes our JD B grunt, and it's in good shape!

 

[Mike M]

I just sold a used Ford 5 1/2 ' for $400 and our local dealer has a used Rhino 6' about like new for $1400 and a demo for $2100 this is in North central Ohio.

I like flail mowers. They do a far better job than bush hogs and safer too.

 

[Jeff Oliver]

My dad just traded for one, I'll see if he wants to sell it and if so how much. I think it is a 5 ft ford but am not sure. Only thing is that it is sitting in West Tennessee.

 

[Wardner]

I have two IH 7 foot flail mowers. One is surplus to me. They are near Lowell, MA. If you are headed to Boston, I am two miles out of your way.

I used to know a Dennis Donahue. Did you go to a secondary school in Plymouth, NH?

 

[Jere]

I am guessing your flail mowers are PTO driven....Any idea what type of gear oil to put in the gear box that drives the blades?
Any help you can provide is appreciated.

 

[Wardner]

I presume a regular automotive 80-90 weight hypoid gear oil. I think you could also use a heavier weight as well.