Hedge cutter flails

[Farmerpickle]

Just a quick question. Does it pay to have genuine McConnel F10 flails on a hedge cutter rather than the pattern ones that are £2-£3 cheaper? Or is there absolutely no difference whatsoever other than the price and whether or not they have McConnel on the side of them.
Many thanks.

 

[agrimax]

I have genuine F10 T flails on mine and will be going non gen when they're worn out or maybe before it. They are far too brittle. Have touched the odd hidden metal spike or stone and the complete head breaks off them. Had a set of Spaldings F10 competition flails on the last machine and they were a far more durable flail than genuine McCs.

 

[Farmerpickle]

I have genuine F10 T flails on mine and will be going non gen when they're worn out or maybe before it. They are far too brittle. Have touched the odd hidden metal spike or stone and the complete head breaks off them. Had a set of Spaldings F10 competition flails on the last machine and they were a far more durable flail than genuine McCs.

Perfect! Thank you. I'll save myself a few quid too!

 

[feilding]

I put a set of f10s copies from Flails direct on my McConnel 550. Would never go back to genuine Flails. Copies are lasting about 3 times longer and cut better. The last set of genuine Flails were rubbish. Very soft.

 

[KennyO]

Sorry for hijack.
Can I ask what the best shape/type of flail is for hedge and verge cutting. Own Farm use only.

Currently got an old bomford with boot flails (I think that's what they sre called) and have always been a bit underwhelmed by it.

 

[oilcan]

Just a quick question. Does it pay to have genuine McConnel F10 flails on a hedge cutter rather than the pattern ones that are £2-£3 cheaper? Or is there absolutely no difference whatsoever other than the price and whether or not they have McConnel on the side of them.
Many thanks.

Went for years using genuine F10s, they were brilliant stayed sharp and rarely broke , but suddenly the quality changed.Use Spalding's now and find them much better.

 

[Farmerpickle]

Sorry for hijack.
Can I ask what the best shape/type of flail is for hedge and verge cutting. Own Farm use only.

Currently got an old bomford with boot flails (I think that's what they sre called) and have always been a bit underwhelmed by it.

Everybody I know with hedge trimmers seems to use T flails and do a very tidy job. I suppose it is personal preference.

 

[davidroberts30]

Everybody I know with hedge trimmers seems to use T flails and do a very tidy job. I suppose it is personal preference.

Fit competition flails from flails direct
Go for the forged not cast
Genuine mcconnel are cast and break for fun
I've not even chipped a forged flail

 

[oilcan]

Everybody I know with hedge trimmers seems to use T flails and do a very tidy job. I suppose it is personal preference.

Yes, you then have the choice of rotor directions backwards for woody growth on hedge tops or when head is close to glass in narrow lanes.

 

[davidroberts30]

Yes, you then have the choice of rotor directions backwards for woody growth on hedge tops or when head is close to glass in narrow lanes.

i thought that too but NO issues with comp flails only cutting for up

 

[Kidds]

Do you guys go to the bother of sharpening T flails?

 

[davidroberts30]

Do you guys go to the bother of sharpening T flails?

yes but now u opened a can of worms

 

[Kidds]

yes but now u opened a can of worms

Completely innocently.
My hedgecutter came with them and I have only used it maybe one full week or two. As far as I can see they don't need sharpening but don't object to doing them if that's what is needed.
Not really sure why they are T flails as there is no way to reverse direction other than swapping pipes over that I can see, or undoing each one and turning them. I won't be doing verges with them, too many stones here and I have a flail mower better suited to that job.

 

[C.J]

Sorry for hijack.
Can I ask what the best shape/type of flail is for hedge and verge cutting. Own Farm use only.

Currently got an old bomford with boot flails (I think that's what they sre called) and have always been a bit underwhelmed by it.

Which head do you have on your bomford ?

Flails direct sell a flail and bush set to fit 60mm competition flails on the old MW heads with 10mm bolts

 

[oakleaf]

When using genuine McC F10’s, one would break or chip nearly every day the hedger was out, but since moving to Flails Direct about 4 years ago I haven’t broken one yet. (Forged)

 

[davidroberts30]

When using genuine McC F10’s, one would break or chip nearly every day the hedger was out, but since moving to Flails Direct about 4 years ago I haven’t broken one yet. (Forged)

exactly the same i found

 

[milkloss]

Completely innocently.
My hedgecutter came with them and I have only used it maybe one full week or two. As far as I can see they don't need sharpening but don't object to doing them if that's what is needed.
Not really sure why they are T flails as there is no way to reverse direction other than swapping pipes over that I can see, or undoing each one and turning them. I won't be doing verges with them, too many stones here and I have a flail mower better suited to that job.

Have an old pa93 here with T flails. Have to change the pipes over to reverse it. Worth doing on big growth though, it makes a mess as the cut wood doesn’t mulch but at least gets the hedge mauled back to size. Take the hood off the front of the head and even a telewag pole is in serious danger!

 

[KennyO]

Which head do you have on your bomford ?

Flails direct sell a flail and bush set to fit 60mm competition flails on the old MW heads with 10mm bolts

It's an old one with m10 bolts. Not sure the actual model. I will need to have a measure when it is next on the tractor.
Thanks

 

[Kidds]

Have an old pa93 here with T flails. Have to change the pipes over to reverse it. Worth doing on big growth though, it makes a mess as the cut wood doesn’t mulch but at least gets the hedge mauled back to size. Take the hood off the front of the head and even a telewag pole is in serious danger!

That's interesting as mine is a PA93 too.
I have a hawthorn hedge I would like to lower, so reversing the rotation will make it more doable then?

 

[feilding]

When using genuine McC F10’s, one would break or chip nearly every day the hedger was out, but since moving to Flails Direct about 4 years ago I haven’t broken one yet. (Forged)

Same here. Never had to sharpen a flail from flails direct or broken one.
Genuine ones needed help from a flap wheel.