john deere flail mower 390

[sirchancelor]

Just found a flail mower on craigslist. http://nashville.craigslist.org/grd/2722490105.html
Was wondering where to find parts other than john deere. Needs the belt and before long I would like to replace the knives. I ended up getting the unit for 350.00 believe I got a pretty good deal.

 

[Builder]

Just found a flail mower on craigslist. http://nashville.craigslist.org/grd/2722490105.html
Was wondering where to find parts other than john deere. Needs the belt and before long I would like to replace the knives. I ended up getting the unit for 350.00 believe I got a pretty good deal.

The listing has been deleted, but if it's in good shape, you got a fantastic deal. I found a 390 on CL about 2 years ago that someone bought before me. I thought it was a steal at $900. Guy drove all the way from Maine to PA to buy it.

 

[leonz]

Just found a flail mower on craigslist. http://nashville.craigslist.org/grd/2722490105.html
Was wondering where to find parts other than john deere. Needs the belt and before long I would like to replace the knives. I ended up getting the unit for 350.00 believe I got a pretty good deal.

SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I want to welcome you to the flail mower nation as the newest member!!!!!!!!

You can purchase the replacement V belts from NAPA, KAMAN, FARM AND FLEET, MENARDS,TRACTOR SUPPLY. Be sure to purchase the kevlar replacement V belts for it as they are the best for shock loading resistance.


You can purchase the new knives, knive hangers, and bearings from Flail Master and other resellers.

Please check back when you need help or are searching for an answer as we have over 1300 pages on flail mowers alone on the TBN forum and lots of folks who are glad to help.

MY dad had a seven foot J.D., 3 knive row finish type grass flail mower he used behind a Ford Jubilee to reclaim old pasture over grown pasture with 10-12 foot golden rod and it was just like carpet after the first few mowings.



Congratulations on your great find, I love it when a plan comes together


Only 18,993 mowers to go!

_________________________________________________________________
Once you go flail you never go back:thumbsup::licking::drool:

 

[FreedomFamilyFarms]

Looking for membership in the flail mower nation. I have a lead on a John Deere 390 Flail Mower. Deere site states minimum HP at 30 for this machine. I assume this is PTO HP not overall HP. Has anyone run one of these with a smaller tractor? How would it perform? What should I look for in a used flail?

 

[leonz]

Looking for membership in the flail mower nation.

I have a lead on a John Deere 390 Flail Mower. Deere site states minimum HP at 30 for this machine. I assume this is PTO HP not overall HP. Has anyone run one of these with a smaller tractor? How would it perform? What should I look for in a used flail?

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Hello and Good Morning Viiupndhead,

I look forward to your becoming a citizen of the Flail Mower Nation with
whatever Flail Mower you choose to buy.

A 30 horsepower mule will be fine for an all sod "no slope" mowing work as there will be little lifting but the hydrostatic transmissions on the smaller mules under 40 horsepower will be taxed heavily



NOW:

A mule for this size mower needs power to lift it and the stability to lift it and keep the nose of the mule on the ground unless you intend to modify it as a "Towed Integral Mounted Flail Mower" with four pneumatic caster wheels using flat washers to adjust the cutting height rather than using the rear roller for "all" adjustments.


If you do not have a mule and have a lot of different mowing to do- brush, fine sod etc., the ideal mule would be a vineyard or orchard service mule.

Saying that, the mule you have or intend to invest must have the lifting capacity and be able to lift the flail mower with the three point hitch.

My father used his 25A with a Ford Jubilee for years on reclaimed pasture that had 12-15 foot goldenrod and brush mounds.

The more horsepower you have the better simply from an operational standpoint as the mule will operate better with the larger engine frame size whether you have a 25A or a 390.

If you can find a used row crop mule with 75 horsepower and your mowing is not restricted to fine sod or near homes you will benefit from a used row crop mule.

Your wallet and your mules lifting power will determine 99% of the purchase. if youy buy a smaller mule your going to have to live with being light in the front end unless you invest in a full set of suitcase weights if they are available for this mule.

I vineyard and orchard mule is low profile in design have plenty of power and it will be very stable due to its low center of gravity.

Find a good mule for what your "entire mowing needs are" and then decide if you want a 25A, 290 or 390.

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The major thing to look for is rust damage on the flail mower shroud on both sides and how the welds sound when struck with a 2 pound hammer as well as impact damage from the flail mower rotor striking objects and losing knives and hangers.

 

[CADplans]

Well,, viiiupndhead,,, I am one of the 390 owners,,,
and since I have NEVER :laughing: posted pics of it,, I will stick them in here,,,

The tractor is over 7 feet wide at the rear wheels.
This pic is typical of what I mow,, you can get an idea of the size by the width of the ~10 foot wide driveway,,

I would not want any smaller tractor than my 584 IH,, when I lift the mower occasionally to turn,,,
the front end gets VERY light,,, :confused2: ,,, mostly because of the hills I am on.

My tractor is not light on the front,,,
Another pic I NEVER post,,, LOL!!

For the most part, I do not have to use the steering brakes to turn, but, occasionally, I do.

Now,, I gotta add, if I were using the mower on flat land, a much smaller tractor would be OK.

 

[FreedomFamilyFarms]

Thanks for the quick replies! I'm still shopping for the CUT (buying advice thread link below), but I can see this is a lot more flail than my future CUT will likely be able to manage well. If I don't find an appropriately sized used one by next season I'll likely order a 59" Caroni. Folks seem to like those and it would be better suited for a ~30 hp HST CUT.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ons/369103-first-cut-sizing-used-options.html

The first year I'll be mowing some unkept pasture with small woodies. After that maintaining a few acres a couple times a year until I can establish some livestock to turn all that grass into cheeseburgers.

Cheers!

viiiupndhead