Howdy, folks! Welcome to the farm. Today we're tackling a beast of a machine: the Farmer Helper FH-AGL145 Ditch Bank Flail Mower. This bad boy is designed to take on the toughest terrain, with a powerful flail cutting system that can handle brush, weeds, and even small trees. But is it all it's cracked up to be? Let's dig in!
First Impressions: Unboxing and Setup
Opening the box of this flail mower is like unwrapping a birthday present for your tractor. It's a big, hefty piece of machinery, and it’s clear this thing is built to last. You'll need a good set of tools to get everything assembled, and the instructions are a bit sparse, so be prepared to do some figuring out. We're talkin' more of a "farmer's intuition" kind of assembly, not your typical "follow-the-numbered-steps" instructions. Just remember, if you can't figure something out, there are folks at Farmer Helper who are happy to help, so don't be afraid to reach out.
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly:
Let's start with the good:
- Powerful Performance: This flail mower is a real workhorse. It can easily tackle even the toughest terrain and cut through brush and weeds with ease.
- Offset Design: The offset design of the mower allows you to get into tight spots and mow close to fences and walls, making it ideal for ditch banks and other challenging areas. It's like having a personal mower that knows how to get the job done right.
- Durable Construction: The FH-AGL145 is built with high-quality materials and is designed to withstand years of heavy use. It's a beast, folks, so don't worry about breaking it.
Now for the not-so-good:
- Instructions Could Be Better: The instructions are minimal, and sometimes it's hard to figure out what goes where. We've heard a lot of people say they wished they had more detailed instructions.
- Loose Parts: We heard from a few folks who found that some parts were loose right out of the box. It’s a good idea to give everything a good tighten before you start mowing.
- Hydraulic Hose Length: Some users mentioned that the hydraulic hoses were too short to reach their control levers. You might have to get some extensions, which can add to the cost.
Real User Reviews: What They Say
Now, let's hear what real farmers have to say. We looked at some reviews on Amazon and pulled out two that illustrate the main points people are talking about.
“BRef” writes: “Pros: Packed and shipped very well, though instead of welding the metal frame around the mower, nuts and bolts would be better. To unpack this you need to have something to cut through steel angle. Seems to be fairly heavy duty for this price point. Cut is decent. Cons: Very sparse instructions and missing a lot of key information. Calls to the seller were answered quickly and professionally though. I wish it would extend a little farther to the side of the tractor but I understand that is limited to the travel of the PTO shaft. Everything was loose. Be sure to tighten all nuts, screws, hydraulic fitting etc. I have not used this enough yet to decide whether I like it or not. This is my first flail mower and I purchased this mainly for the offset and am a little disappointed with that. I would at this point give the operation a 4 star but subtracted a point because of the instruction manual. Update One star I've used this enough now to know that I hate the piece of manure. Hooking it up to the tractor is a job itself, upkeep and fighting it to cut properly takes up half the mowing time. Wish I never bought this."
“Buyer Savvy” writes: "I bought this mower a few months back and have used it for about 14 hours total run time. I have since found that many parts were loose on the mower. The worst was in one of the sheaves that drives the rotary drum. Several of the machine screws that attach it backed out due to under torquing, lack of thread lock, or both. The looseness of the sheave caused all three drive belts to fail. The only part that seemed to be over tightened was a cheap plastic washer used to seal the banjo fittings joining the hydraulic cylinders to the hose ends. I had to go out and buy copper washers to fix the problem. Other than the plastic washers, it seems to have well made parts and seems to mow as advertised when I'm not fixing assembly problems.”
These reviews show that while the FH-AGL145 is a powerful machine, it does have some drawbacks. The lack of detailed instructions and the loose parts seem to be a common issue. However, it's also important to note that many other users have positive experiences with the mower.
The Verdict: Is It Worth It?
So, is the Farmer Helper FH-AGL145 Ditch Bank Flail Mower the right choice for you? If you need a powerful and durable machine that can handle tough terrain, this flail mower might be a good option for you. However, you should be aware of the potential for loose parts and the lack of detailed instructions. If you're willing to put in some extra effort, you can get this machine up and running and enjoy its powerful performance.
Important Note: The FH-AGL145 is not a standalone unit. It requires a tractor to operate. Be sure to check the specifications to make sure it's compatible with your tractor before you purchase.
Final Thoughts: A Big Machine for a Big Job
This FH-AGL145-standalone/dp/B01MTQDXK7/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=insgoods-20'>ditch bank flail mower is a big machine for a big job. It can handle the tough stuff, but it’s not without its issues. The decision is up to you, folks. Weigh the pros and cons, read the reviews, and decide if this is the right flail mower for your farm. Happy mowing!
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