GB2588898A

GB2588898A - Flail attachment

Info

Publication number: GB2588898A
Application number: GB1916429.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frank John
Original assignee: McConnel Ltd
Current assignee: McConnel Ltd
Priority date: 2019-11-12
Filing date: 2019-11-12
Publication date: 2021-05-19
Anticipated expiration: 2039-11-12
Also published as: GB2588898B; GB201916429D0

Abstract

A flail mounting assembly 10 for use on a vegetation cutting machine comprises a pair of lugs 34, 36, a flail pin 50 and a quick release mechanism 60 operably connected to allow for quick release of the flail pin from the flail mounting assembly. The quick-release mechanism may comprise a bobbin (263, fig 9) with an interlocking member or a cam 63 with an interlocking member (66, fig 3). The flail pin may have a groove (56, fig 2) at one end of the flail pin. The quick-release mechanism may be protected by raised walls of the lug surrounding the quick release mechanism. Also disclosed is a flail assembly, a vegetation cutting machine with the flail assembly and methods for mounting and detaching a flail pin to a flail assembly.

Description

FLAIL ATTACHMENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to improvements in flail attachments for use on vegetation cutting machines such as flail mowers, in particular improvements to the attachment of flails to flail mowers.

BACKGROUND

Known flail mowers include a rotor shaft to which, a number of cutting tools, known as flails, are pivotally mounted on mounting arrangements. In use the rotor shaft is rotated, the flails swing outwards under centrifugal force. As the flail engages with the vegetation, for example a hedge, bush, or grass verge, the vegetation is cut.

An example of a flail element adapted to receive a pivotable mounting arrangement is disclosed in EP292641B1.

Over time during the working life of a flail, the flail may become blunted, damaged or otherwise require replacing such as with another flail designed for a specific task. In each case the flail needs to be removed from the flail assembly. Historically this is a time intensive process due to the nature of mounting arrangements used to pivotally fix flails to the rotor shaft.

Previous flail mounting systems have used several components in combination to mount a flail element to a rotor shaft. For example a combination of nuts, bolts, washers, and bushes can be used to attach flails to rotor shafts. These can be difficult and time consuming to remove by an operator, for instance if the nut and bolt seize together during use.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved flail element mounting system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention is a flail mounting assembly comprising: a pair of lugs; a flail pin; and a quick release mechanism provided in one of the lugs of the pair of lugs.

This arrangement allows the flail to be installed and removed from the vegetation cutting machines quickly and easily, without the use of tools. This arrangement further reduces the number of parts required for mounting a flail.

The quick release mechanism may be a bobbin with an interlocking member.

The bobbin arrangement provides a quick release mechanism for releasing a flail from a flail mounting assembly. The bobbin has an interlocking member which is complementary to the groove on the flail pin.

The bobbin can rotate, advantageously this allows the bobbin interlocking member to engage with the flail pin groove no matter the orientation that the bobbin is in. The bobbin interlocking member locks in place with the flail pin groove in 360 degrees of orientation. This reduces the chance of incorrect alignment when an operator uses said bobbin quick release.

The flail mounting assembly has a through bore in one of the lugs which is adapted to receive the bobbin. The bobbin is slidably movable along an axis in relation to the through bore.

The bobbin may be slidably received in a pair of ends caps wherein the end caps are in turn received within the through bore in the flail mounting assembly.

The quick release mechanism may have a cam with an interlocking member.

The flail pin may have a groove at one end of the flail pin. The groove may be annular.

The interlocking member may selectively engage with the groove. This prevents the flail pin from separating from the assembly when in use.

The quick release mechanism may have a locked condition, and an unlocked condition. The quick release mechanism may biased in the locked condition by a biasing member.

The biasing member may be a spring. The spring may be a coiled spring.

The flail assembly may have an anti-rotation means. The anti-rotation means can prevent the flail pin from rotating in the flail assembly.

The flail pin may have at least one flat surface on one end. The flail pin may have six flat surfaces on one end. One of the lugs may have a complementary shaped bore portion for receiving the flail pin end and preventing rotational movement.

One or each of the flail pin ends may be flush to the surface of the lugs.

One of the lugs may have a through bore adapted to receive a pin. The cam may be pivotally mounted on the pin. The pin can be knocked out using a punch or other tool if the quick release mechanism becomes inoperable. Knocking out the pin allows the quick release to be removed without drilling a hole into the lug or otherwise damaging the apparatus.

The surface of the cam may have a grip. The grip may comprise of one or more ridges which can give increased grip when actuating the quick release in wet conditions.

The surface of the cam may be protected by a cover.

The cover may be a press-fit cap.

The quick release mechanism may be protected by raised walls of the lug surrounding the quick release mechanism.

One or more of the flail mounting assembly components may be made of steel. Steel provides better impact resistance and strength for each of the components.

A flail mounting assembly may have 0-rings received in the tail lug. The 0-rings prevent the ingress of water or vegetation into the flail mounting assembly which could damage the flail mounting assembly and or the quick release mechanism.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a vegetation cutting machine with a flail assembly substantially similar to that disclosed in the first aspect. The flail assembly may be used for cutting vegetation.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method for assembling a flail assembly comprising the steps of: providing a flail mounting assembly comprising: a pair of lugs; a flail pin; a quick release mechanism; providing a flail; inserting the flail pin through the pair of lugs; engagement of the quick release mechanism and the flail pin locking the components together.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method for disassembling a flail assembly comprising the steps of: providing a flail assembly comprising a flail element, a pair of lugs, a flail pin and a quick release mechanism; disengaging the quick release mechanism; withdrawing the flail pin from the lugs.

The first step may be to remove a cover which covers the quick release mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a flail assembly in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an alternative perspective view of the flail assembly of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cut-away view of the flail assembly of Figures 1 and 2 with the flail pin engaged and the quick release mechanism in a locked condition; Figure 4 is an enlarged cut-away view of the flail assembly of Figures 1 and 2 with the flail pin partially removed and the quick release mechanism in an unlocked condition; Figure 5 is an enlarged cut-away view of the flail assembly of Figures 1 and 2 with the flail pin removed and the quick release mechanism in an unlocked condition; Figure 6 is a cut-away view of the flail assembly of Figures 1 and 2 showing the flail pin; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a flail assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is a partial cut-away perspective view of the flail assembly of Figure 7; Figure 9 is an alternative perspective view of the flail assembly of Figure 7; Figure 10 is a partial cut-away perspective view of the flail assembly of Figure 7 in a locked condition; and Figure 11 is another partial cutaway view of the flail assembly of Figure 7 in a locked condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A flail assembly 10 for use on a vegetation cutting machine having a cylindrical rotor shaft 40 comprises a flail element 20 and a flail mounting assembly 15.

The flail element 20 will not be discussed here in detail but can briefly comprise: a flail stem 22, a flail cutting head 24, and a mounting formation 26. The mounting formation 26 may have a through bore. The through bore can have a smooth surface.

The flail mounting assembly 15 comprises a pair of lugs 30, a flail pin 50 and a quick release mechanism 60.

The flail pin 50 is a solid cylinder having a head at one end. The flail pin 50 has a head end 54 and a tail end 52. The cross-sectional area of the head 54 is greater than the solid cylinder. The head end 54 terminates in a head end surface 55 and the tail end 52 terminates in a tail end surface 53. The head flail pin 50 has an anti-rotation means. The anti-rotation means is a head end 54 with six flat sides. The anti-rotation means may be a head end 54 with at least one flat side. The head end 54 can have any number of flat sides.

With reference to Figure 3 and 4, the flail pin 50 has an annular groove 56 adjacent the tail end 52. The flail pin 50 can be machined from a bar with a circular portion and non-circular portion at the head end 54. The bar may be a hex bar. The non-circular portion at the head end 54 may have one or more flat surfaces. The number of flat surfaces may be six. Starting with a hex-shaped bar decreases the time for machining a number of flat faces into the non-circular end of the flail pin 50. The flail pin 50 can be cast and machined to shape. The flail pin 50 can be machined from a billet or ingot into shape.

The pair of lugs 30 comprise a head lug 36 and a tail lug 34, corresponding to the head end 54 and tail end 52 of the flail pin 50 in use.

The lugs 34, 36 are joined at a foot 31. The foot 31 is arcuate. The foot 31 has an arcuate surface 33 which is suitable for welding the assembly 15 to a rotor 40. The welding could be done manually or by a robot. The pair of lugs 30 may, in alternative embodiments, be separate and have one foot 31 for each of the head lug 36 and tail lug 34.

The head lug 36 has a through bore 37 and an enlarged blind bore section 33 concentric therewith. The through bore 37 is complementary in size and shape to the solid cylinder of the flail pin 50. The enlarged bore section 33 is complementary in size and shape to the larger cross-sectional area portion of the head of the flail pin 50. Thus the enlarged bore section 33 has a corresponding number of flat faces.

The tail lug 34 has a through bore 35. The through bore 35 is complementary in size and shape to the solid cylinder of the flail pin 50. The tail lug 34 has a cavity 38 for receiving the quick release mechanism 60. The tail lug 34 has a through bore 32. Through bore 32 is perpendicular and below through bore 35.

The tail lug 34 has a frustroconical portion 39 which surrounds the through bore 35. The frustroconical portion 39 is provided to compensate for the cavity 38, and balance the tail lug 34 as will be explained in more detail below.

The quick release mechanism 60 is protected by raised walls of the tail lug 34. The raised walls extend perpendicularly outwards from the lug 34 surrounding the quick release mechanism 60. The walls prevent debris from actuating or damaging the quick release mechanism 60 in use.

With reference to Figures 3 to 5 the quick release mechanism 60 will be described in more detail.

The quick release mechanism 60 comprises: a spring 61, a cam 63, a roll pin 64 and an interlocking member 66. The cam 63 has ridges 62, a cam arm 65, a cam mount 67, and an abutting face 68. The interlocking member 66 is located on the top of cam 63.

The roll pin 64 is received in the roll pin through bore 32 located in the circular holed lug 34. The roll pin 64 once inserted into bore 32 is held in place by an interference fit due by the roll pin expanding to its unconstrained shape once pressure is removed after insertion. This expansion prevents the roll pin 64 from falling out once inserted. The roll pin 64 may be any other type of pin.

The top surface of the cam 63 has a projection in the form of the interlocking member 66. The cam 63 top surface is complementary to the flail pin 50. The top surface of the cam 63 is arcuate. The top surface of cam 63 can be any complementary shape in respect to the flail pin 50.

The interlocking member 66 and the flail pin 50 groove 56 are complementary in shape in order to allow for locking of the flail pin 50 and therefore the flail element 20 to the lugs 30.

The quick release mechanism 60 may be any suitable device adapted for retaining a flail pin.

For example a catch or slideable catch.

Assembly The flail mounting assembly 15 is used to hold the flail element 20 pivotally in place. The flail element 20 is pivotally attached to the flail mounting assembly using the mounting formation 26. The bore of the mounting formation 26 receives the flail pin 50. This allows the flail element 20 to pivotally move around the flail pin 50. The surface of the flail pin 50 and mounting formation 26 are generally smooth. A smooth surface of the flail pin 50 and the mounting formation 26 allows the flail pin 20 to pivot easily and decreases the frictional force between them.

The lugs 30 are shaped so that the flail assembly 10 is balanced in use. When the rotor shaft 40 is rotated the centrifugal force acting on the flail element 20 is along the length of the flail stem 22. Balancing the assembly 15 by controlling the shape of the lugs 30 prevents unresolved forces acting upon the assembly when in use which may damage the assembly 10.

The feet 31 of the pair of lugs 30 are used to secure the flail mounting assembly 15 to the rotor shaft 40. The arcuate curve of the feet 31 corresponds to the curve of the rotor shaft 40 so as to provide a good contact surface between the lugs 30 and the rotor shaft 40. The feet 31 are welded to the rotor shaft 40. Welding the lugs 30 to the rotor shaft decreases the total number of parts required for assembly. The lugs 30 could also be attached via fasteners, bolts, screws, or be integral to the rotor shaft 40. For example they could be cast parts of the rotor shaft 40.

When the flail mounting assembly 15 is assembled the head of the flail pin 50 is fully received within the head lug 36, with the head abutting the step caused by the change in cross-sectional area along the length of the flail pin 50 between the head and solid cylinder portions. This aids in retaining the flail pin 50 during use. As described previously, the head lug 36 is shaped to receive the head end 54 of the flail pin 50. This provides a secure fit between the flail pin 50 and the head lug 36. Furthermore, the head end 54 of flail pin 50 is designed so that it prevents the flail pin 50 from rotating whilst in use. When the flail pin 50 is received in the lugs the flail pin ends surfaces 53 and 55 are flush to the surface of the lugs 30. This prevents debris from catching the flail pin ends 52 and 54 and damaging them.

The quick release mechanism 60 has a locked condition shown in Figure 3 and an unlocked condition shown in Figures 4 and 5.

The locked condition is the rest state of the quick release mechanism 60 when it is unactuated. The quick release mechanism 60 returns to this state after actuation.

The unlocked condition is the actuated position of the quick release mechanism 60.

The groove 56 operates in connection with an interlocking member 66 on the quick release mechanism 60 to hold the flail assembly 10 together.

When in operation the centrifugal force acting on the cam 63 forces the interlocking member 66 into engagement with the groove 56. This prevents accidental disengagement of the interlocking member 66 and groove 56 whilst the device is in use.

The roll pin 64 is received by the cam mount 67 of the quick release mechanism 60. The cam mount 67 consists of mounting tabs which are perpendicular to the cam arm 65. These mounting tabs are substantially circular but can be of any suitable shape.

The cam mount 67 has a through hole to receive the roll pin 64. This through hole is positioned at a distance from the cam arm 65. The through hole is located at the centre of the substantially circular cam mount 67, however it could be located at any position on the cam mount 67.

The cam 63 is mounted on the roll pin 64. The cam 63 mounted on the roll pin 64 using the cam mount 67 pivotally moves on the roll pin 64 when the cam 63 is actuated. This in turn allows the interlocking member 66 to pivotally move to engage or disengage the flail pin groove 56.

Between the tabs of the cam mount 67 is a space to receive the biasing member 61. This biasing member is located on the roll pin 64. The biasing member 61 provides a biasing force S. The biasing force biases the quick release mechanism 60 into the locked condition. This helps to prevent accidental disengagement of the quick release mechanism 60 by forcing engagement of the interlocking member 66 and the groove 56.

The biasing member 61 is a spring. The spring is coiled spring 61. The spring can be a leaf spring or any other suitable type of spring. The biasing member 61 can be any suitable arrangement which provides a biasing force for engagement of the interlocking member 66 and the groove 56.

The cam arm 65 extends below the top surface of the cam 63. The cam arm 65 when pressed by an operator causes the cam 63 to be pivotally moved on the roll pin 64.

The cam arm 65 has an abutting face 68 which, abuts with an inner edge of the tail lug cavity 38. This engagement of the abutting face 68 and the cavity 38 wall prevents the quick release mechanism 60 rotating too far and thus disengaging the interlocking member 66 from the flail pin groove 56 under the biasing force S. The abutting face 68 and cavity 38 wall help keep the quick release mechanism biased into a locked condition.

The cam arm 65 has a grip. The grip may be a textured surface to increase grip below the abutting face 68. The textured surface may be one or more ridges 62. In use the quick release mechanism 60 can become wet or covered in debris, the ridges 62 provide the operator with a surface to increase grip when operating the device. The number of ridges can be one, two, or more than three.

The roll pin 64 can be removed by pushing the roll pin 64 out of the roll pin bore 32 and cam mount 67. For example, using a suitably sized punch or other tool. Removing the roll pin from an assembled flail assembly 10 allows the quick release 60 to be removed. If the quick release mechanism 60 becomes damaged or otherwise inoperable during the lifetime of the flail mower it can therefore be easily removed. The flail pin 50 can be removed without any machining operations which may damage the mounting assembly 15.

Quick Release Assembly The flail 20 is mounted on the flail mounting assembly 15 using the following steps: First the flail pin 50 is inserted into the lugs 30 and flail mounting formation 26 of the flail pin 20 so that the tail end 52 of the flail pin 50 first passes through the head lug 36. The flail pin then passes through the flail mounting formation 26 and into the tail lug 34.

The tail end 34 then engages with the interlocking member 66. This causes the cam 63 to pivot on the roll pin 64 causing the interlocking member 66 to in turn pivot and move out of the way of the roll pin 64.

The flail pin 50 is then continually inserted until the tail end surface 53 is flush with the outer edge of the tail lug 34. The outer surface of the flail pin 50 slides over the interlocking member 66.

Once the flail pin is inserted far enough the groove 56 and interlocking member 66 become adjacent to one another. At this point there is nothing preventing the cam 63 from pivoting back under the biasing force S of the spring 61. Previously the outer surface of the flail pin 50 prevented this. The cam 63 pivots back on the roll pin 64 causing the interlocking member 66 to move into and engage with the groove 56. This locks the components of the flail assembly together as shown in Figure 3.

Quick Release Disassembly The flail pin 50 is disengaged from the flail mounting assembly 15 using the following steps: Initially the flail assembly 10 is in the locked condition as shown in Figure 3 with the interlocking member 66 engaged with the groove 56.

The cam arm 65 is pushed by an operator at the ridges 62. This causes the cam 63 to pivot around the roll pin 64. The pivoting motion disengages the interlocking member 66 from the corresponding groove 56 on flail pin 50. The cam arm 65 can be actuated by the operator's finger or by using a tool.

The flail pin 50 is then pushed at the tail end 52 out through the lugs 30. Once the flail pin 50 is partially withdrawn the operator can remove the force on the cam arm 65. The cam 63 pivots around the roll pin 64 under the biasing force S of spring 61 until the interlocking member 66 contacts a portion of the outer surface of the tail end 52 of the flail pin 50 adjacent to the groove 56 as shown in Figure 4. The flail pin 50 can then be continually withdrawn by the operator through the lugs 30. In this position the quick release mechanism 60 is in an unlocked condition.

Once the tail end 52 passes the quick release mechanism 60 the quick release mechanism 60 pivots around the roll pin 64 back to the locked condition by the biasing force S of the spring 61 as shown in Figure 5.

The flail pin 50 is then completely withdrawn from the lugs 30 and flail mounting formation 26.

The quick release mechanism 60 may be covered by a cap 100 (not shown) to prevent debris from entering the cavity 38 and actuating or damaging the quick release mechanism 60. This cap 100 may be a press-fit cover. Alternatively, the cap 100 may be a hinged door.

The first step in the quick release disassembly of the flail assembly 10 having a cover 100 is to remove the cover 100.

The components of the mounting assembly 15 are formed of a metal. The metal is a steel.

The steel may be a hardened steel. The steel can be a carburised steel, tool steel, or any suitable type of steel. The components of the mounting assembly 15 can be formed by casting, machining or any other suitable operation.

A second embodiment of the first aspect of the flail mounting assembly is shown in Figures 7-11. The flail assembly 210 of the second embodiment has many features in common with the flail assembly 10 of the first embodiment. Similar features are given similar reference numbers, prefixed by "2" to indicate that their features relate to the flail assembly 210. Only the differences shall be described in detail.

The flail mounting assembly 25 is used to hold flail element 220 in place. The flail mounting assembly comprises a pair of lugs 230, a flail pin 220 and a quick release mechanism 260. The quick release mechanism 260 comprises a bobbin 262, a pair of springs 264 and a pair of end caps 267. The end caps 267 each have a through bore. The quick release mechanism 260 is received in a bore 232 of lug 239. The quick release mechanism 260 is located along an axis 269 of the bore 232.

The bobbin 262 comprises an interlocking member 266, two ramp sections 265, two cylindrical sections, two bobbin ends 261 and two bobbin stops 263.

The interlocking member 266 is located in the middle of the bobbin 262. The interlocking member is substantially disc-shaped. The interlocking member 266 has a ramp section 265 located on either side of the interlocking member 266. The ramp sections 265 each terminate in a bobbin stop 263.

The interlocking member 266 has a greater diameter than the bobbin stop 263. The ramp sections 265 have a surface which is substantially frustroconical between the interlocking member 266 and the bobbin stops 263. The surface profile may be linear, curved or have any other suitable profile.

The cylindrical sections extend from the bobbin stops 263. The cylindrical sections culminate in the bobbin ends 261.

The bobbin 262 is received in the through bore of the end caps 267. The end caps are in turn received by the bore 232. The bobbin 262 is slidably received within the pair of end caps 267 allowing the bobbin to move axially along axis 269.

The pair of springs 264 are placed around the cylindrical section of the bobbin 262 between the end caps 267 and the ramp sections 265 of the bobbin 262. One end of the spring rests on the bobbin stop 263, the other end abuts the end cap 267.

A pair of 0-rings are provided in a pair of groove of the tail end lug 239. The 0-rings 268 prevent the ingress of vegetation and water into the flail mounting assembly.

In use the quick release assembly can be slidably moved by pressing the bobbin end 261 along axis 269. Pushing the bobbin at the bobbin end 261 causes the spring 264 located at the opposite side of the bobbin to be depressed when it comes into contact with the ramp section 265 at the bobbin stop 263. When the pressure at the bobbin end 261 is no longer applied the bobbin springs back into place as the spring 264 returns to its rest position. The bobbin returns to its locked position by this action. The quick release mechanism is biased into this locked position.

The bobbin 262 may be made by machining. For example by using a lathe. The bobbin could also be made by casting.

Quick Release Assembly The flail 220 is mounted on the flail mounting assembly 215 using the following steps: Firstly flail pin 250 is inserted into the lugs 230 and flail mounting formation 226 of the flail pin 220 so that the tail end 252 of the flail pin 250 first passes through the head lug 236. The flail pin 250 then passes through the flail mounting formation 226 and partially into the tail lug 234 (as shown in Figures 8 and 9).

The quick release mechanism is then moved into an unlocked position as shown in Figure 9. The quick release mechanism is unlocked by applying a force F axially along the axis 269 on either of the bobbin ends 261. This pressure moves the bobbin to the left (as shown in Figures 8 and 9). Or if the pressure is applied at the opposite bobbin end 261 the bobbin 262 is moved towards the right-hand side.

The flail pin 250 is then fully inserted into the flail mounting assembly 215.

The pressure on the bobbin end 261 is then removed. As the pressure is removed the bobbin 262 of the quick release mechanism 260 returns to its natural and locked state as shown in Figure 10. The return to the locked state is achieved by the spring 264 returning to its undeformed shape. The action of moving the quick release mechanism 260 into the locked state forces engagement of the interlocking member 266 located adjacent the ramp section 265 of the bobbin 262 into engagement with the groove 256 located on the flail pin 250.

The interaction between the interlocking member 266 of the bobbin 262 and the groove 256 of the flail pin 250 lock the flail assembly together. This locked position is shown in Figures 10 and 11.

Quick Release Disassembly The flail pin 250 is disengaged from the flail mounting assembly 215 using the following steps: Initially the flail assembly 210 is in the locked condition as shown in Figures 10 and 11. In this locked condition the interlocking member 266 engages with the groove 256.

The bobbin end 261 of the bobbin 262 is pushed by an operator with a force F which causes the bobbin to move to the left or right (as shown in Figure 9). This moves the quick release mechanism into the unlocked condition. In the unlocked condition the interlocking member 5 266 and the groove 256 are no longer engaged.

The flail pin 250 can then be freely withdrawn from the flail mounting assembly 215. Once the flail pin 250 is partially withdrawn the operator can release pressure on the bobbin end 261. The bobbin 262 will then return to its natural and locked state due to the spring 264 returning to its undeformed shape.

Any of the flail assemblies 10, 210 may be used on a rotor 40, 240. The assembly 10, 210 is welded to the rotor 40, 240. The welding may be done manually or by a robot. The rotor is provided on a vegetation cutting machine used for cutting vegetation. The vegetation cutting machine may be a mower, back-hoe loader, a tractor, or any other vehicle or device adapted for cutting vegetation.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A flail mounting assembly comprising: a pair of lugs; a flail pin; and a quick release mechanism provided in one of the lugs of the pair of lugs.
2. The flail mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the quick release mechanism has a bobbin (260) with an interlocking member.
3. The flail mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the quick release mechanism has a cam with an interlocking member.
4. The flail mounting assembly of claims 2 or claim 3 wherein the flail pin has a groove at one end of the flail pin.
5. The flail mounting assembly of claim 4 wherein the groove is annular.
6. The flail mounting assembly of claim 4 or 5 wherein the interlocking member selectively engages with the groove.
7. The flail mounting assembly according to claim 2 wherein the quick release mechanism comprises a through bore provided in one of the lugs of the pair of lugs (30), wherein the through bore is adapted to receive the bobbin, and wherein the bobbin is slideable along an axis in relation to the through bore.
8. The flail mounting assembly of claim 7 wherein the bobbin is slidably received in a pair of end caps wherein the end caps are received in the bore.
9. The flail mounting assembly according to claim 3 wherein the quick release mechanism comprises a through bore provided in one of the lugs of the pair of lugs, wherein the through bore is adapted to receive a pin, and wherein the cam is pivotally mounted on the pin.
10. The flail mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the quick release mechanism has a locked and unlocked condition, and is biased to the locked condition by a biasing member; preferably wherein the biasing member is a spring; more preferably wherein the biasing member is a coiled spring.
11. The flail mounting assembly according to claim 1 wherein the flail mounting assembly has an anti-rotation means.
12. The flail mounting assembly according to claim 11 wherein the anti-rotation means is provided by the flail pin having at least one flat surface on one end and wherein one of the lugs of the pair of lugs has and a complementary shaped bore portion for receiving said flail pin end.
13. The flail mounting assembly according to claim 11 wherein the anti-rotation means is provided by the flail pin having at least six flat surfaces on one end and wherein one of the lugs of the pair of lugs has a complementary shaped bore portion for receiving said flail pin end.
14. The flail mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein at least the end of the flail pin is flush to the surface of one of the lugs of the pair of lugs.
15. The flail mounting assembly of claim 14 wherein each end of the flail pin is flush to the surface of the corresponding lug of the pair of lugs.
16. The flail mounting assembly of claim 3 wherein the surface of the cam has a grip.
17. The flail mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the pair of lugs share a single common foot; or wherein each lug of the pair of lugs each has a foot.
18. The flail mounting assembly of claim 17 wherein the foot or feet has an arcuate surface, wherein the arcuate surface is suitable for welding the flail mounting assembly to a rotor.
19. The flail mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the quick release mechanism is protected by raised walls of the lug surrounding the quick release mechanism.
20. The flail mounting assembly of any proceeding claim wherein one or more of the flail mounting assembly components are made of steel.
21. A flail assembly comprising: at least one flail element; at least one pair of lugs; at least one flail pi; and at least one quick release mechanism provided in one of the lugs of the at least one pair of lugs.
22. A vegetation cutting machine with the flail assembly of claim 21.
23. A method for securing a flail pin to a flail mounting assembly comprising the steps of: providing a flail mounting assembly comprising a pair of lugs; a quick release mechanism; and a flail pin; inserting the flail pin through the pair of lugs; wherein engagement of the quick release mechanism and the flail pin lock the flail pin and the pair of lugs together.
24. A method for detaching a flail pin from a flail mounting assembly comprising the steps of: providing a flail mounting assembly comprising a pair of lugs; a quick release mechanism; and a flail pin; disengaging the quick release mechanism; withdrawing the flail pin from the lugs; wherein disengagement of the quick release mechanism and removing the flail pin from the lugs unlocks the flail mounting assembly.
25. The method of detaching a flail pin from a flail mounting assembly of claim 24 wherein the first step is to remove a cover which covers the quick release mechanism.