Looking for flail for small tractor

[Muddy42]

On the flails versus toppers debate, I disagree with the above statements about flails hitting stuff.  Personally I find flails are more robust if you hit something because the axle is hidden.  The worst case scenario is replacing some hammer flails or maybe a belt, whereas if you hit something really bad with a topper, axles and metal parts shear and you can set everything off-centre.  If cutting brush and rides, you will hit something eventually.  Flails do require more horse power for a given cutting width and speed.  I believe an Antonio Carraro Tigre 3800 only has a 26HP engine so it will be even less at the PTO.  This is really very small, so your probably looking at a 1.2m cutting width if a flail but around 2m if a topper.  the mowers will tell you what the spec is.  1.2m is fine for woodland paths but painfully slow for doing large areas. Even with a topper, you can never really have enough HP for chest high grass growing in full sun.  Its all a trade off.

 

Whatever tool you get, make sure it is robust and constructed with thick metal.  Some of the cheap Chinese ones are utter garbage.

 

 

 

[Tree monkey 1682]

3 hours ago, Alan Smith said:

Thanks guys, someone had suggested to me previously a topper would be better for me. I've never used a flail and assumed for a small machine would be lighter and handier.

 I'll have a look to see what's available for a small machine, any recommendations? I'm in Sussex if that helps re suppliers etc.

Wessex,Fleming- depends what's around in your area look on marketplace to see ,horsey lot sell them off cheap enough, not much goes wrong on them 

[Muddy42]

Chapman also make good cutters, uk company with good customer service and part availability.  

[woody paul]

If you want something to last, mcconnel bomford major or spearhead. 

[doobin]

The one in my photo is a cheap Chinese one. Farmtech supplies. I added the push bars for reverse drive., plus a pto clutch. 
 

bloody great swing back blades underneath. It’s taken some serious stick, more than you’ll ever give it I should think. 

Edited 7 hours ago by doobin

[Alan Smith]

Brilliant, Thanks all for the suggestions.

[green heart]

Yes, I'd second Doobin's comments-you could happily run 6-8' rotary blade/swipe on 26hp, for ride maintenance, but you'd seriously struggle to power a flail with that horse power.. Swinging cutting tips are common on most large rotary cutters, and generally better than flails, unless a fine finish is specified?

 

Doobin: you're the first person I've ever seen mowing Giant Hogweed, with a tractor mower -what happened there ! 

🤭

 

[dumper]

3 hours ago, green heart said:

 

Doobin: you're the first personI've ever seen mowing Giant Hogweed, with a tractor mower -what happened there ! 

🤭

 

You wouldn’t want to cut it with a strimmer!