Verge flail mower for Kubota STV36 - recommendations?

[chrisisbd]

I have a Kubota STV36, 36HP, two double-acting spools, etc.

I'm looking for a verge flail mower to put on it for a mix of work on our smallholding (9 acres or so). It will be used for:-

* A bank along the private track at the front of our property, 45 degree slope up from the road, not very wide.

* Mowing various areas of rather rough and brambly land, no serious slopes but not very flat either.

* Paddock topping (maybe, I have a Wessex rotary already)

It's not going to get *very* heavy use so can probably be fairly lightweight and it needs to be fairly light anyway so my little Kubota can handle it hanging out the side.

I'm seriously considering the very reasonably priced Bowell ones, like the BCRL115, BCRL135 or BCRM135 but I can't find any comments about them. I.e. do they fall apart after ten minutes?! Yes, they're Chinese but they do have very responsive support in Germany, they've come back with sensible sounding answers to my queries.

So, would my Kubota cope with the larger/tougher BCRM135 (414kg) or should I go for something lighter like the BCRL115 (271kg).

There are other makes out there and I'm willing to pay more if it will get me something a lot better but I'd like to keep at/below £2000 if I can.

 

[Hesstondriver]

have a look at the RECO ZME 155 - think they be Wessex now .

we have one for exactly what you describe and are fantastic?

how desperate are you , ours may be for sale shortly due to a change in circumstances !

 

[chrisisbd]

Yes, Wessex are the UK agents now I think. Too expensive for me new but I might stretch to a second-hand one. The ZME155 *might* be a bit big for me but, on the other hand, maybe not as it would do the paddock work more quickly.

How soon is yours likely to be for sale? We're in Suffolk so Huntingdon is not so far away.

 

[Boomerang]

I've got one of these on a 37 up Kubota, very handy tool , impressed with what you can do with it

I have a Kubota STV36, 36HP, two double-acting spools, etc.

I'm looking for a verge flail mower to put on it for a mix of work on our smallholding (9 acres or so). It will be used for:-

* A bank along the private track at the front of our property, 45 degree slope up from the road, not very wide.

* Mowing various areas of rather rough and brambly land, no serious slopes but not very flat either.

* Paddock topping (maybe, I have a Wessex rotary already)

It's not going to get *very* heavy use so can probably be fairly lightweight and it needs to be fairly light anyway so my little Kubota can handle it hanging out the side.

I'm seriously considering the very reasonably priced Bowell ones, like the BCRL115, BCRL135 or BCRM135 but I can't find any comments about them. I.e. do they fall apart after ten minutes?! Yes, they're Chinese but they do have very responsive support in Germany, they've come back with sensible sounding answers to my queries.

So, would my Kubota cope with the larger/tougher BCRM135 (414kg) or should I go for something lighter like the BCRL115 (271kg).

There are other makes out there and I'm willing to pay more if it will get me something a lot better but I'd like to keep at/below £2000 if I can.

 

[Stock]

Seen one of these recently €1100 delivered to the shed door, well made and it was on a 30 hp John Deere, some assembly was required.

https://bowell-tractor.com/FLAIL-MO...mower-embankment-flail-mower.html?language=en

 

[Wheatland]

I have a John Deere 2032r which I think is a similar size tractor (weighs 950kg and is 32hp) I bought a Weaving xl flail as in the link below

http://www.weavingmachinery.net/products/flails/xl/

I have the 1.8m version which weighs 350kg. The tractor is on its limit really with this model but with front end weights and as long as you keep the tractor on level ground it’s manageable.

 

[chrisisbd]

Stock, that's exactly the make I was referring to in my original post, so, interesting - thank you. The BCRL series are the lightest ones and the BCRM series the next weight up. I'm trying to decide whether to go for the light or medium one.

 

[chrisisbd]

That's rather wider than I want, I need something in the 1 to 1.3 metre sort of width. The 1.35 metre BCRM weighs a bit over 400kg so maybe it would be a bit too much for my STV36.

All useful information everyone, thank you.

 

[chrisisbd]

No threads on this forum which is a bit of a pain....

However, looking at the Weaving Machinery verge flail mowers they seem to be comparable in weight with the Bowell Tractor BCRL (i.e. 'light') series. Thus I think I should probably be looking at the BCRL115 or the BCRL135 for my STV36.

Wheatland says "I have the 1.8m version which weighs 350kg. The tractor is on its limit really with this model but with front end weights and as long as you keep the tractor on level ground it’s manageable." I want to use the mower on fairly uneven and slightly sloping ground so I guess the 400kg BCRM135 might be too much whereas the BCRL105 at 271kg would make more sense - as long as it can cope with rough weeds, brambles, etc.

 

[gmgmgm]

Resurrection of a thread as it's the best on verge flails for compact tractors (under 2000kg)

chrisisbd, you were considering which model of verge flail on your Kubota STV36, and I'm considering the same question for my L1361. I think it comes down to tractor weight, and terrain.

Your STV36 weighs 975kg apparently, and you were looking at flails of 300kg or 420kg-ish.
Wheatland above has a JD weighing 950kg, and has a 350kg flail "at the limit", with front weights.
My L1361 is 1240kg, plus a loader ~250kg, making a total of about ~1500kg, so the bigger flail models around 420kg should be fine I think.

Chrisisbd/Wheatland, would you advise differently based on your continued experience?

 

[Wheatland]

I think you’ll be fine with 420kg. I also have a JD4066 which weighs about 2t and its OTT for the Weaving topper pictured above.

 

[gmgmgm]

Replying to my own comment a year ago. Hopefully this will help other potential buyers of verge/ditch flails.

I ended up buying from MDL, their AG165. It's a common model name sold by many firms. Bowell prices are amazing, but they wouldn't deliver to non-business buyers in the UK (EORI codes, Brexit etc).

Spec weight is 294kg. I wouldn't want to go any heavier on my 1500kg Kubota L1361+loader unless I lived in very flat country. I'm not in flat country. It's good for mowing in one direction, but it feels toppy mowing "downhill". A heavier/wider tractor would probably be ok.

The weight is VERY noticeable, and I've put restrictors on some of the hydraulic lines to slow down the movement of the flail, otherwise it can rock the tractor.

For mowing verges, edges of tracks and under trees, it is fantastic. For topping a field, a normal flail would be better, because there is a little more play in the mechanism, and it needs more fettling of the controls to ensure a level cut. Sometimes the reach is frustrating, but that's always going to be a problem. I can see the appeal of a 3ft flail on an excavator for delicate tasks.

 

[steveR]

I use a 5ft Zanon on my 50hp Kioti compact. Great little tool and seems VERY well made from the stuff I have flailed! Love it for topping under leccy fences when the weeds have grown again months after the Spring roundup spray.

Biggest issue I have is the 3pt lift is barely high enough for siding up work. As others have said, put in a hydraulic flow restrictor on any sections that are too quick in response...

Make sure the PTO Hardy spicers are the type that allow tighter angles on the shaft (cannot remember the name!) else they wont like work with the head right out....