Flail mower with #15 hp petrol engine for tow by Quadbike

[Cobber Kain]

I need a small flail to mow under trees / orchard and to take down some rough grass.
All our tractors are 150 hp+ so too large
I see quite a few for sale on ebay with very low hours.
Kellfri are Chinese does this mean there are no spares.
Any experience on small flails with their own engines.

 

[George from SJM Planning]

My dad has one and uses it for topping meadows, rough grazing and even doing the lawn. Very robust and as they are belt driven if they do get bunged up it is just a belt the wears rather than a driveshaft or chain to snap.
The engines are generic 15hp hobbies so when dad left it out all winter and it packed up it was easy to replace.

 

[Dave W]

I need a small flail to mow under trees / orchard and to take down some rough grass.
All our tractors are 150 hp+ so too large
I see quite a few for sale on ebay with very low hours.
Kellfri are Chinese does this mean there are no spares.
Any experience on small flails with their own engines.

Buy a logic of the budget will stretch.
@Drillman will testify to how good they are knows how to fit belts too

 

[George from SJM Planning]

Ours came from MDLPowerup.com

 

[Drillman]

Buy a logic of the budget will stretch.
@Drillman will testify to how good they are knows how to fit belts too

The logic ones ain’t bad but there is a limit to how much stuff they will chew thru.

that bloody dealer never did cough up his £15 for those belts either

 

[Hjcarter]

Yes, Kelfri are Chinese. I had a tow along strimmer by them and was not impressed with build quality or design really. Couldn't get rid quick enough.

MDM are also Chinese - I don't know what they're like but for me buying Chinese is like buying Russian.....

Depends on how many trees you've got and how they're set out on what's best for the job.

 

[TripleSix]

The Chinese cheapies don't tend to have enough power, or very good quality components.

15hp minimum needed for UK conditions

 

[Drillman]

The Chinese cheapies don't tend to have enough power, or very good quality components.

15hp minimum needed for UK conditions

More power the better imo.
15hp has its limits as well.

 

[TripleSix]

More power the better imo.
15hp has its limits as well.

We have a 1.5m flail on a 37hp compact tractor at work and you can bring it to its knees in lush grass...

 

[JeremyD]

15 hp would be pathetic on anything not regularly mown! I have a 1.75m Winton Flail mower and I have 44 hp tractor which struggles if in long mature stuff! Flies on the shorter stuff.

 

[Dave W]

Yes, Kelfri are Chinese. I had a tow along strimmer by them and was not impressed with build quality or design really. Couldn't get rid quick enough.

MDM are also Chinese - I don't know what they're like but for me buying Chinese is like buying Russian.....

Depends on how many trees you've got and how they're set out on what's best for the job.

I wouldn’t want to sell anything from kellfri or mdl powerup to anyone I liked

 

[Farmer Roy]

my 48" lawn mower has a 23 hp engine . . .

 

[sheepdogtrail]

My dad has one and uses it for topping meadows, rough grazing and even doing the lawn. Very robust and as they are belt driven if they do get bunged up it is just a belt the wears rather than a driveshaft or chain to snap.
The engines are generic 15hp hobbies so when dad left it out all winter and it packed up it was easy to replace.View attachment 1046799

I have the same one I purchased in the states. It is a different brand, but definitely the same Chinese manufacturer. The original engine lasted about 3 years. I replaced it with a better Briggs and Stratton engine ( which was probably made on the same assembly line as the Chinese engine) it has last another 4 years, so far. I pull mine with a UTV. It will do rushes, tall grass, etc. But you need to go slow and might need to hit the hardest rush a couple of times. Belts, Pulleys and Springs are the main wear items. I would not purchase one new without getting at least 1 extra belt tensioner. Belts can be purchase off the shelf at many local auto part stores. Same with springs. The frame is solid. At least mine is. It can be cheaper to replace the engine for 300.00 dollars with a new one, versus hunting down hard to find quality parts. Change the oil once per year and have a few extra belts with you and you will be golden for years to come. I have cut grass like in this photos with it and it is no problem going 10 mph on a full suspension tow vehicle. The mower will keep up.

 

[George from SJM Planning]

I have the same one I purchased in the states. It is a different brand, but definitely the same Chinese manufacturer. The original engine lasted about 3 years. I replaced it with a better Briggs and Stratton engine ( which was probably made on the same assembly line as the Chinese engine) it has last another 4 years, so far. I pull mine with a UTV. It will do rushes, tall grass, etc. But you need to go slow and might need to hit the hardest rush a couple of times. Belts, Pulleys and Springs are the main wear items. I would not purchase one new without getting at least 1 extra belt tensioner. Belts can be purchase off the shelf at many local auto part stores. Same with springs. The frame is solid. At least mine is. It can be cheaper to replace the engine for 300.00 dollars with a new one, versus hunting down hard to find quality parts. Change the oil once per year and have a few extra belts with you and you will be golden for years to come. I have cut grass like in this photos with it and it is no problem going 10 mph on a full suspension tow vehicle. The mower will keep up.

Same here. Had ours 8 years and tow it behind the pickup or the ride-on. Always have a spare belt on hand.

 

[Bobthebuilder]

The logic ones ain’t bad but there is a limit to how much stuff they will chew thru.

that bloody dealer never did cough up his £15 for those belts either

Got a logic here it will cut through 4ft tall nettles and cow parsley ok if you go slow, makes a lovely job on grass if you do it regularly

 

[neilo]

I’ve seen a couple made by @chapmanmachinery and they look very well built, like most of their kit.

I’ve not used one, but if I were wanting such a thing then it would be on my list to look at.

 

[JP1]

Ask @Deutzdx3

Port Agric style with a Kohler engine

 

[Drillman]

I’ve seen a couple made by @chapmanmachinery and they look very well built, like most of their kit.

I’ve not used one, but if I were wanting such a thing then it would be on my list to look at.

Mate has a chapman mower it goes very well.

 

[Afx9010]

We have just ordered a Wessex one. Has a 23hp engine I think and what we liked was that you can swing the wheels around to be either side or rear mounted with no tools. Built in the uk

 

[thesilentone]

I wouldn’t want to sell anything from kellfri or mdl powerup to anyone I liked

Why, do you have experience of MDL ?

It appears their kit has a 3 year guarantee ?