Flail mower for Güde GSM 501 walk-behind tractor – 500 mm, 10-70 mm adjustable
The GSM 501 transforms a standard Güde walk-behind tractor into a versatile machine for managing difficult terrain. Unlike a traditional tiller that cuts and turns over the soil, the flail system specializes in shredding grass, branches, bushes, and wild vegetation, leaving them on the ground as organic mulch. Ideal for neglected gardens, uncultivated land, field edges, and public green areas.
The rotating flail system (not fixed blades) offers greater tolerance to obstacles: stones, thick branches, and exposed roots are struck and bounce off rather than stopping the machine. The nominal rotation speed of 3,200 rpm is moderate compared to professional shredders (5,000+ rpm), ideal for continuous work on uneven surfaces without overheating.
The 10-70 mm adjustable cutting height allows adaptation to different uses: close cut (10 mm) for well-maintained lawns, coarse mulching (50-70 mm) for branches and bushes. Adjustment is made via a manual lever without special tools.
Distinctive features:
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Robust belt drive – Protects the walk-behind tractor from sudden overloads (stones, roots). Replacement belt ALXA750 available from Krollit
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PTO drive – Standard PTO shaft, compatible with Güde GME 6.5V walk-behind tractor and other models with PTO output (compliant diameter and speed)
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Drum with adjustable blades – 240 mm diameter flail rotor, replaceable blades (spare part codes available)
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Robust 55.8 kg structure – Balanced weight reduces stress on the walk-behind tractor frame, suitable for 6-8 hours of daily work
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Low positioning – Dimensions 880 × 660 × 500 mm allow storage in a garage, maneuverability in narrow areas
Who is the GSM 501 suitable for?
| Profile |
Suitable? |
Reason |
| Garden owner with Güde walk-behind tractor |
Ideal |
Complementary tool to vary walk-behind tractor functions; 500mm width sufficient for gardens 500-1,500 m² |
| Green space maintainer / landscaper (small) |
Adequate |
Quality shredding for branches and wild vegetation; reliable belt drive; standard PTO compatibility |
| Farmer / professional gardener |
Not recommended |
3,200 rpm speed is not competitive for professional shredders (5,000+ rpm); 8+ hours continuous cycles require dedicated, not complementary, machines |
Not recommended for: Standalone use without a compatible walk-behind tractor; urban areas with very limited space (880 × 660 mm dimensions require space); very dense vegetation or with trees (branches >40 mm); daily industrial operations on hundreds of hectares.
Technical specifications
Shredding capacity and performance
| Working width |
500 mm |
| Adjustable cutting height |
10-70 mm (6 indicated positions) |
| Blade drum diameter |
240 mm |
| Nominal rotation speed |
3,200 rpm |
| Cutting type |
Rotating flails (not fixed blade) |
| Mulching function |
Yes (shredding and spreading) |
| Height adjustment |
Manual lever, no special tools |
Transmission and control
| Transmission type |
Belt (Riemenscheibe Antrieb) |
| Standard belt |
ALXA750 |
| Walk-behind tractor control |
PTO (cardan shaft) |
| Coupling type |
Standard PTO shaft connection |
| Overload protection |
Belt (slip protection) |
Dimensions and weight
| Length |
880 mm |
| Width |
660 mm |
| Height |
500 mm |
| Net weight |
55.8 kg |
| Gross weight (with packaging) |
65.4 kg |
| Packaging (L × W × H) |
900 × 650 × 480 mm |
Compatibility
| Reference walk-behind tractor |
Güde GME 6.5V (#95187) |
| PTO output |
Standard |
| Required PTO speed |
~3,200 rpm at max engine speed |
| Cardan shaft diameter |
Standard European |
Compliance and safety
| CE Mark |
Yes – Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC |
| Q9 Certification |
Yes – Güde German quality standard |
| Güde item number |
95208 |
| EAN Code |
4015671842022 |
| Place of manufacture |
Germany |
Standard equipment
- GSM 501 flail mower complete
- Flail rotor (240 mm flail rotor)
- Height adjustment lever
- PTO drive with cardan joint
- ALXA750 drive belt
- Assembled bearings and axles
- User manuals in Italian
- Safety data sheet
- CE and compliance certificates
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a flail mower and a walk-behind tractor tiller?
A flail mower (GSM 501) cuts vegetation and leaves it shredded on the ground as mulch. A tiller cuts and turns over the soil for seedbed preparation. They are complementary tools: use a flail mower for neglected gardens/branches, use a tiller for garden bed preparation. The GSM 501 is versatile for both uses with height adjustment mode.
Is the GSM 501 compatible with my Güde GME 6.5V walk-behind tractor?
Yes. The GSM 501 is certified compatible with GME 6.5V (#95187) as they share the European PTO standard. If you own another Güde model, check that it has a PTO output with a speed of ~3,200 rpm. Contact Krollit support for non-standard compatibility.
What is the rotation speed of the GSM 501 drum?
The nominal speed is 3,200 rpm at maximum walk-behind tractor engine speed. This moderate speed (vs. professional shredders 5,000+ rpm) protects against premature wear and allows continuous work on uneven terrain without belt overheating.
How heavy is the GSM 501 and how is it mounted on the walk-behind tractor?
The net weight is 55.8 kg (65.4 kg with packaging). Mounting requires: (1) attaching the frame to the walk-behind tractor via standard supports, (2) coupling the cardan shaft to the walk-behind tractor's PTO, (3) tensioning the belt. Manual procedure ~20-30 minutes. The user manual provides specific diagrams.
Does the GSM 501 cut thick branches or only short grass?
The rotating flail system is designed for grass, branches, and soft vegetation (branches up to ~20-30 mm diameter). Thick branches (>40 mm) or young trees require a chainsaw. The 10-70 mm adjustable cutting height is ideal for herbaceous mulching and domestic bush maintenance.
What maintenance does the GSM 501 require?
Moderate maintenance: (1) Belt inspection every 10 hours (tension, wear); (2) Cleaning flail blades after each use (vegetation residue); (3) Bearing check every 20 hours; (4) Drum rotation axle lubrication every 40 hours (NLGI 2 versatile grease); (5) Belt replacement every 100-150 hours (wear depends on vegetation).
Is the GSM 501 suitable for very large gardens (over 2,000 m²)?
Partially. The 500 mm width is efficient, but the 3,200 rpm speed and walk-behind tractor power (6.5 kW) require prolonged working times (6-8 hours daily). For professional areas >5,000 m² with frequent shredding, choose dedicated 230V three-phase high-speed shredders (power >15 kW).
Can I adjust the cutting height while working?
Yes, the height adjustment lever allows changing the position from 10-70 mm during operation without stopping. Quick change (~30 seconds) between positions is practical for adapting the cut to terrain variations (bumps, depressions, obstacles).