Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[whirly]

There is no such thing as a carter key! It's called a cotter pin .../QUOTE]

Too much wine in the coffee when I was a kid:confused2:

 

[JustBob]

There is no such thing as a carter key! It's called a cotter pin and Mott's have a special cotter pin that is flat on one side to make it easy to bend the long leg up when putting new knives on. The flat side goes against the mount so the cotter pin won't turn when you go to bend the leg up. They used to have a tool that came when you bought a box of knives but side cutters work good. You have the right knives. I think Alamo has 3 oz and 4 oz HD knives. Your knives are like new, why change them? They are superior to Ford knives, use less power and are also self cleaning. If they encounter an obstacle, they are individually free swinging in all directions. Replacing perfectly good knives is a waste of time and money.

YOU MENTIONED YOU AREN'T CUTTING IN GRASS??? A Mott/Alamo is designed for cutting grass and WEEDS up to 1" diameter. This doesn't include small tree's. They are NOT designed for cutting brush! If you bought it for cutting brush, it is not the right machine. Cutting grass and weeds it will last you a lifetime. You need to look at the proper manual for specific machine. There have been some changes to different models over the years.

Excuse my dialect, but around here they are called carter keys... a regional thing I guess. It is what I have heard since I was a kid, it was a slip of the tongue, I know that they are cotter pin's. I ordered a box of "cotter pin's" and replacement clevis pin's. Several of the ones on the Mott are seized to the clevis, they may be damaged upon removal. I will have the cutter bar and body blasted and painted since I have to disassemble anyway.

The knives I have are not sold anywhere for Mott/Alamo mowers, they are only 2 - 2.5 oz and as I was told they were the least expensive knives the previous owner could find. Not sure if it makes a difference but they were imported... I ordered a set of HD forged 4oz knives, more weight with centrifugal force should work better.

I guess it IS grass, of some type, but I should have said not lawn or average field grasses . I do have a manual, and I also know it is not a Bush Hog, I have a 305 BH for cutting tree's and other stuff. It just does not cut small stuff or grass very well. I bought the Mott for maintaining my fields, a mix of hay grass, some kind of reed grass, coffee weed, cow weed, occasional clump of sage brush, dandy lions :rotfl:, goldenrod, milkweed and other woody stemmed but not actual wood 1" or less. All that stuff between lawn grass and tree's! Sorry, couldn't help myself... :laughing: All kidding aside, I do have the correct machine for my purpose. I studied here thoroughly before I begged my neighbor to sell me this heap of worn parts.

I will update when I figure out the parts I need for the gearbox, and get everything back together.

 

[Arc weld]

I think you should fix the bearings and get it working right. Maybe the existing knives will work fine? When you said you weren't cutting grass red flags went up because people have confused flail mowers with flail brush cutters. Two entirely different machines. When working properly a Mott will cut 5' tall grass in one pass if you have the H.P. There is no finer flail mower than a Mott. That's why so many of the newer flails have copied the design of their knives. Mott's patents had run out.

 

[dieselscout80]

You have the right knives. I think Alamo has 3 oz and 4 oz HD knives. Your knives are like new, why change them? They are superior to Ford knives, use less power and are also self cleaning. If they encounter an obstacle, they are individually free swinging in all directions. Replacing perfectly good knives is a waste of time and money.

Arc weld, are you saying that these knives use less horse power than the Ford ones I'm using?


My Ford Knives


I'd be interested in using less horse power.

 

[Arc weld]

Yes, the Ford knives can also plug up in heavy grass. You can put Mott knives on the Ford hangers. When we moved to an acreage back in the 70's the neighbor had a Ford 917 on a Ford LCG tractor. We didn't have a tractor at first so my dad supplied Mott knives to put on the neighbors Ford. Then we could both cut are grass. The neighbor said he noticed a difference. Mott used to make knives that were 4 way reversible but quit making them for some reason. Maybe they stretched easier because they had a slotted hole on the top and bottom? You have to keep a Mott at 540 PTO RPM or the bend in the blades would actually move/stretch. It sounds bizarre but it's one of those strange but true stories.

 

[sunspot]

Hi all.
I revisited this thread to find the Flail-Master blade part number for my Caroni TM1900. I found it.
As an update, this is the first time replacing any blade. I have not had any problems in that regards.
I did have another belt blow-out but no big deal. I now have the part numbers for the heavy duty belts.

Some may remember my problems with the bearings on the roller. The replacements from Agri-Supply are working great. Where I have the roller and skids positioned, I could not get the grease gun on the fittings. I solved the by installing 45 degree nipples and grinding a groove on the skids. After the trouble I went through replacing the roller bearings, I make darn sure I slop plenty of grease before any cutting chore.

 

[sunspot]

Double tap

 

[leonz]

Hi all.
I revisited this thread to find the Flail-Master blade part number for my Caroni TM1900. I found it.
As an update, this is the first time replacing any blade. I have not had any problems in that regards.
I did have another belt blow-out but no big deal. I now have the part numbers for the heavy duty belts.

Some may remember my problems with the bearings on the roller. The replacements from Agri-Supply are working great. Where I have the roller and skids positioned, I could not get the grease gun on the fittings. I solved the by installing 45 degree nipples and grinding a groove on the skids. After the trouble I went through replacing the roller bearings, I make darn sure I slop plenty of grease before any cutting chore.

Double tap

YAY!!!!!


I love it when a plan comes together.

 

[fluffers]

Guys- looking to get a flail mower for my kubota l5740- Has anyone used the Woodmax model- seems fair priced for a very heavy machine- total newbee so any advice would be appreciated- thanks

 

[leonz]

Guys- looking to get a flail mower for my kubota l5740- Has anyone used the Woodmax model- seems fair priced for a very heavy machine- total newbee so any advice would be appreciated- thanks

The first question I want to ask them is where are the weights to balance the rotor-thats a non starter for me as a thirty year owner of flailmowers. If I cannot see the weights on the rotor its not balanced period!!!

The second question is who they buy the scoop knives from?????????????????????????????????????????????