Flail Mower Finally got the flail mower running....glad I got a beater!

[ManAtArms]

I bought an old 7.5' 917 flail mower off ebay about a month ago for about $400 and finally got her hooked up and running on the Kubota M59. The backhoe was a bear to get off...maybe it will go better the next time.

The 917 is old and rusty, with several crappy weld repairs made over the years. It was originally a fine cut, but someone converted it to rough cut (fine cut has a cutting drum with something like 117 stations, rough cuts have like 39 stations and different flails.) It still has the fine cut drum, but someone took off all the extra stations and swapped them for rough cut stations.

Anyway, I greased her up and unleashed her on my overgrown field and along my 1/2 mile driveway. The field was full of all sorts of hidden treasures...rocks, pieces of chain link fence, rocks, small logs, did I mention the chain link fence pieces? Needless to say I had to stop and cut metal wire off the drum about 10 times, but I must say...I'm really pleased with the purchase! Cut quality is good and it is obviously tough as nails. I'm glad I got a beater mower to start...if I got a nice one I would be real upset about the abuse it took today!

The 3-point was a bit of pain...doesn't land pride make a quick attach 3-point system?

-Mark

I'll post some pics soon.

[powerstroke444e]

Had an old ford flail mower and it was the best thing we ever found to mow food plots with. It would beat all the seed out of the sunflowers. The game warden accused us of baiting so I mowed a pass for him, it would leave the seeds on top and the doves would flock in. The gear box exploded one day do to no oil???? I would bet it was never check in 10yrs.

[jdmar]

I got a 6' Mott for about the same. It was a fine cut too. It worked great until one of the main shaft bearings toasted. It is still great..but another winter project now. I agree I love how they cut and how quiet they are compared to a rotary mower.
Peter

[taborekle]

Yes Land Pride does make a quick hitch. I have one and it's great.

[Charlesaf3]

huh, I was surprised how easy my backhoe came off. Do you have the paint on the pins problem someone had?

[ManAtArms]

Charles,

No, my pins were not painted on, however they were slightly corroded, so they bound up real tight. I got the right side off with only a little work, but the left side was a bear.

Before I reinstall the hoe I will lightly clean/polish the connections and use anti-seize.

Hopefully that will fix it for next time.

-Mark