[member=195876]Hjcarter[/member] :
Leaving my original over-wintered ram issue aside, I haven't had any operational issues with the Bowell flail. It seems pretty robust.
To note though that the MFZ model I bought is not designed to give a fine cut. The really heavy-duty hammers smash-cut stuff rather than slice-cut !! That said, a reasonably tidy cut can be achieved on a flat-surfaced meadow.
If the meadow is not so flat-surfaced, the heavy-duty hammers can "take" a bit of soil.
This is my 1st flail mower so I cannot compare or offer an experienced recommendation: all I can say is that it works for me.
Last time I checked Bowell offerings, their heavy-duty flails had been upgraded from 3x belt drive to 4x and they had replaced gear-box with an Italian manufactured unit.