New 2 Me Ford 917 flail Mower

[tpulley]

Sealed the deal on a 5 foot 917 yesterday. The guy I got it from had it on a tractor so I could hear it and run and lifted it up so I could also see underneath (not at the same time mind you). A little rusty but solid enough. New blades were on it. The bearings sounded good and the belt was in good shape. Its ready to cut right now.

I am thinking I am going to go ahead and get some heavier blades for it though. They have the lighter duty blades on there. I am thinking I want to get the heavier knives for it. I need to do a count to see how many I need.

I found on the flailmaster catalogue the knives. I didn't see any belts for it though. Anyone know the belt model number (preferrably something I could pick up locally)? If anyone has an electronic manual for it I would appreciate a copy of that if you are willing to share it.

 

[greg_g]

Ford made a lot of 917 models, you need to be more specific when searching for a manual and/or ordering parts. First see if the manuf label is still attached. It should have a model number that starts with 22. If not, get a precise cutting width (they made both 60" and 62" models). Measure between the outside edges of the most distant cutting blades. Then see if you can find it on this list:
22-183 FORD 917 SERIES FLAIL MOWER 72" (3/73-12/84)
22-184 FORD 917 SERIES FLAIL MOWER 74" (3/73-12/76)
22-185 FORD 917 SERIES FLAIL MOWER 88" (3/73-12/76)
22-205 FORD 917 SERIES FLAIL MOWER 62" (1/75-12/80)
22-206 FORD 917 SERIES FLAIL MOWER 74" (1/75-12/80)
22-207 FORD 917 SERIES FLAIL MOWER 88" (1/75-12/80)
22BU5001 FORD 917L SERIES FLAIL MOWER 50" (1/86-8/90)
22BU6001 FORD 917L SERIES FLAIL MOWER 60" (1/86-8/90)
22NW0001 FORD 917A SERIES FLAIL MOWER 62" (3/73-12/85)
22NW0002 FORD 917A SERIES FLAIL MOWER, 74" W/ST RLR (3/85-12/85)
22NW0003 FORD 917A SERIES FLAIL MOWER, 88" W/ST RLR (3/85-12/85)
22NW0004 FORD 917A SERIES FLAIL MOWER, 48" W/ST RLR (3/84-12/85)
917A-SERIES FORD FLAIL MOWER (3/84-12/85)
917H-SERIES FORD HEAVY DUTY FLAIL MOWER (INCLUDES MODEL 22BU----) (1/86-8/90)
917L-SERIES FORD LIGHT DUTY FLAIL MOWER (1/88-8/90)
917-SERIES FORD FLAIL MOWER (3/73-12/86)

And you wrote "belt" in the singular. Mine uses a banded belt (two Vs) on twin pulleys. The type of belt/pulley combination you have may also help narrow down which specific model you have.

//greg//

 

[leonz]

Sealed the deal on a 5 foot 917 yesterday. The guy I got it from had it on a tractor so I could hear it and run and lifted it up so I could also see underneath (not at the same time mind you). A little rusty but solid enough. New blades were on it. The bearings sounded good and the belt was in good shape. Its ready to cut right now.

I am thinking I am going to go ahead and get some heavier blades for it though. They have the lighter duty blades on there. I am thinking I want to get the heavier knives for it. I need to do a count to see how many I need.

I found on the flailmaster catalogue the knives. I didn't see any belts for it though. Anyone know the belt model number (preferrably something I could pick up locally)? If anyone has an electronic manual for it I would appreciate a copy of that if you are willing to share it.

Welcome to the Flail Mower Nation,

You can take the current belt to NAPA or TSC or another automotive store and purchase a belt for it.

Only 17,992 mowers to go!!


_________________________________________________________________
Once you go flail you never go back:thumbsup::licking::drool:
Pronovost or not at all!!!:thumbsup::licking::drool:

 

[tpulley]

So I have the 22-183 model. Hmmm... I thought I was getting a 5 footer all the better....

Anyone have an electronic copy of a manual for these guys? It looks pretty basic as to how to do things on it, but on a rainy day I may not have much better to do.

I noticed on the link you sent //greg/g and on the messemick site when I drilled down to the vbelt for it they list and after market belt. Any advantages to using this? Other than its cheaper.

 

[greg_g]

In my experience, that advice is given when a dealer doesn't move enough quantity to justify stocking inventory. I found this out when trying to get a replacement banded belt for my 917H. And it turned out to be considerably different than as described in the New Holland parts list. I think it was a 53- or 54-incher, and one helluva lot wider than 0.66". Even FlailMaster - as eager to help as they've proved to be - was stumped. So I ended up getting mine off the internet, for about one third what the local dealer wanted to special order what would have turned out to be the wrong one anyway.

I don't have a Ford manual, paper or PDF. What I do have is a PDF for the Jacobsen 78132. Ford made flails for Jacobsen back then, and the 78132 is basically a 74 inch 917H. But the file is too big to upload here. So as you say, it's a pretty straightforward machine. I've found that a little common sense and the New Holland exploded parts diagrams to be all I need.

//greg//

 

[77bronco]

I have the 22-185 model, and you can get the manual from New Holland for about $10 IIRC.
The OEM belt is the only one that is banded, the ones NAPA carries are individual belts.

I'd like to convert mine to chain or gear drive to eliminate the slippage I encounter from time to time when mowing taller grass. But, that's an expense that will have to wait for later.

 

[greg_g]

I'd like to convert mine to chain or gear drive to eliminate the slippage I encounter from time to time when mowing taller grass.

If you want to avoid damage to your tractor, I strongly recommend incorporating a driveline slipclutch into that plan. Oh, and there are plenty of other places to get decent banded belts - at much better prices than at a New Holland dealer.

//greg//