LOFTNESS 48MH, Operator'S Manual / Parts Book

Owner’s Manual (Hydraulic Flail Mower) 

N14800                                                                     2 -                                                                    August, 2004 

1

 
Operating and Set-up Instructions 
 
Operating: 

 
The Loftness Hydraulic Flail Mower is an effective, 
reliable machine used for maintaining grass and 
controlling weeds.  For best results, operate the 
machine as low to the ground as possible without 
the blades striking ground or other obstructions.  
Because of the high speed of the blades, the life of 
the blade will be reduced if it is operated in rocky 
terrain or in areas where many obstacles are present.  
Areas to be mowed should be free of debris such as 
rocks, bottles, large branches etc.  The blades cut 
and pulverize the grass and weeds, making the 
mower suitable for mulching of lawns and golf 
courses.  The mower deposits cut material over the 
entire width-of-cut, which eliminates bunching or 
windrowing behind the machine.                 
 
The adjustable steel roller is positioned near the 
point of cut, which allows self-adjusting for surface 
irregularities in time to prevent scalping.  It runs the 
full width-of-cut and is used to determine the 
height-of-cut. (See page 3-1 in Section 3).

 
The mower rotor is equipped with four rows of 
pivoting cutting knives.  If an obstruction is 
encountered, the knives will fold or pivot to absorb 
shock, thereby reducing impact damage to mower.  
The rotor and knives turn in reverse rotation 
(opposite of skid steer wheels forward operating 
direction

).

The Loftness Hydraulic Flail Mower can be attached 
to any skid-steer with an auxiliary hydraulic system 
of 13-40 GPM, which has a standard universal skid 
steer hitch. 
 

Operating Speed: 
 

Various mowing conditions, and desired finished-
cut appearance, will determine proper ground speed. 
 

WARNING:  

Do not operate the mower 

above the rated RPM. Check with your Loftness 
dealer to be sure your mower is set-up with the 
correct hydraulic motor to match the hydraulic flow 
(Gallons per Minute) of your loader. 

 
 
Equipment Set-up: 
 
Attachment to Loader Using Standard Universal 
Mounting Plate: 
 

•

Pull the attachment-locking levers all the way 

up.

•

Tilt the loader-mounting plate ahead.  Drive 
forward with the loader and hook the top edge 
of the mounting plate under the flange on the 
flail mower mount.  Be careful not to damage 
the locking levers on the loader-mounting plate.

•

Tilt the loader-mounting plate back until you 
feel the weight of the flail-mower transfer to the 
loader tires, but do not lift the attachment off 
the ground.  Stop the engine.

WARNING:   

Before you leave the  

                                  operator’s seat: Lower the lift  
                                  arms, put the attachment on 
                                  the ground. Stop engine and 
                                  remove ignition key.  Engage 
                                  the parking brake. 

•

Push locking-levers down into the locked, over-
center position.

WARNING:  

Locking-wedge pins must 

                   extend through the holes in 

                               attachment-mounting plate. 
                               Levers must be fully down in  
                               the locked over-center position. 
                               Failure to secure wedge pins can 
                               allow attachment to come off, 
                               causing serious injury or death.    

•

Connect hydraulic quick-couplers from flail 
mower to auxiliary hydraulic outlets on loader.

 
Belt Tension: 
 

The rotor drive belts should have 1/2” maximum 
deflection at the midpoint between the pulleys.