Flail Mower Advice on buying used flail mower

[dlwalters3]

I've been reading the threads on flail mower discussions and think I want to buy one instead of a bush hog and finish mower. I found a used John Deere 6 1/2 foot flail mower in fair shape for $200. Some of the knives are missing so I would have to replace those, but otherwise it is in good working order.

First of all, would my 25 PTO HP Kubota B3300SU handle a flail mower of that size and secondly, does anyone have a John Deere flail mower that can tell me if they are good mowers, and thirdly, how much will it cost to replace all of the knives on this unit. Thanks for any advice or other input you can give me.

Dan

 

[TripleR]

If he doesn't show up, check with leonz, he knows a LOT about flail mowers; I'm sure others do also, but his name comes to mind and he has been very helpful to me on various things.

 

[dlwalters3]

Here is a picture of the mower. Forgot to attach it in the original post.

 

[dmiletich]

I just bought a used Rears flail mower that cuts 7'4" and need to replace blades. I was quoted about $300 for replacing all blades for this flail, I am not familiar with the one you are looking at but the Rears is real heavy duty. Mine has back to back L shaped blades and not hammers. Hope this helps.

 

[herd]

I bought a used JD 25A flail in August, was a bit skeptical about it at first but price was right, %500. I got a lot of good, no great, info frm this Board and esp from Leonz. Bottom line, it's one helluva cutting machine, I am very impressed with it.

I did not realize it at the time but the driveshaft is slightly bent, so I'll probably replace it come Spring, but I really am happy with the perfomance of this implement. For regular mowing, field mowing (not for hay gathering), it is far better than a bush hog.

As a point of interest though, I bought this flail with the intention of selling my 6' bush hog, the flail won't do what a bush hog does and the bush hog won't do what a flail does.

Another excuse to have another piece of equipment..!!

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

It depends on what you are going to mow.For mowing grass and weeds it is hard to beat a flail. If you have a lot of small trees over an inch and a half the brush hog would be better.At 6.5' you are about at your hp limit depending how heavy the grass is. Check flailmaster for a price on knives. I would ask to see it run before buying. Just hook it up to a tractor and bring it up to 540rpm. Make sure nothing is bent. It may vibrate a little because of the missing knives but it shouldn't vibrate severly.
Bill

 

[greg_g]

I bought a 74" Ford 917H for $150. Transmission, roller, bearings, seals all good, but it was still unusable as purchased (no PTO shaft or drive belt). Replaced all knives, all knife hangers, all hanger nuts/bolts/washers. Bought new PTO shaft, drive belt, drive belt tensioner. Replaced odds and ends of missing nuts/bolts/washers and fabricated a roller guard brace. Spent maybe $400 for parts, labor was mine. Figure on sandblasting and painting it come spring. So in the end, I think the total investment will come in under $600. I use it behind a 45 hp (PTO) utility tractor.

Mows great under most conditions I've exposed it to, but I personally wouldn't hang it off the rear end of a 25hp tractor. In fact I have a 35hp w/loader that I hesitate to try the 917 on. There are some pretty thick patches in my pasture where I have to gear down the 45 horse, patches that I'd probably have to crawl through with the 35 horse. Can't find the exact weight now, but I think the manual might have said 862 pounds. That said, the John Deere may be lighter, I don't know. When lifted for transport it might be a bit heavy, but if you don't dismount your front loader that should help.

Not being negative here, just trying to outline some of the potential problems. So if you're just gonna use it for light duty mowing - and keep the loader mounted - it might just work out for you.

//greg//

 

[dlwalters3]

Thanks to everyone for all the replies with good info. I went and looked at the mower. The seller hooked it up to his tractor and mowed some of his field with it. It mowed fine but had some sort of knocking noise like one of the knives was hitting something. The bearing on one end of the roller was shot and a few os the knives missing. It had a good belt and otherwise was in pretty good shape. He ended up offering to let me bring it home and try it out with my tractor to see if it would handle it, which I took him up on so tonight it is sitting under my shed. He told me to try it out and if it worked for me to mail him a check for the $200. I'm gonna check out the knocking noise and try it on my Kubota to see if it will handle it and will let you know what happens.

Dan

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

That is a good seller. Take it and try it and then send me the money. You don't here of that verry often any more. Just make shure you hold up your end of the deal.
Bill

 

[dlwalters3]

I guess I'm old fashioned and he was too so we got along great with a handshake. I would never think of not holding up my end of the deal and I don't think he would either. He was good people.