flail with wheels?

[jimmysisson]

I'm looking at a flail mower, maybe an Alamo, 7'. It's the first I've seen with trailing wheels, like a York rake so equipped. Anyone recognize this mower, there are no tags? Any comments about the wheels?
Thanks, Jim

 

[leonz]

I'm looking at a flail mower, maybe an Alamo, 7'.
It's the first I've seen with trailing wheels, like a York rake so equipped.
Anyone recognize this mower, there are no tags? Any comments about the wheels?
Thanks, JimView attachment 281734View attachment 281736

There are a lot of flailmowers with trailing wheels it is nothing new.

If you have the opportunity please submit more pictures.

Have you dug out the debris to check for tags under the dirt or under the V belt guard?

Does your tractor have enough PTO horsepower to operate a 7 footer?

Do you know what type of knives it has-side slcer or a scoop knive?

If it has the side slicers installed you will be able mount dethatching blades
if desired. it would also be able to use the dethatching blades if the scoop knives
are installed(they would need to be exchanged for the thatching blades-not a big
deal in the scheme of things.

Edit:
The mower hood and weldments appear to be fine, parts are available for it-bearings, knives, hangers, nuts, bolts, belts, gearboxes, wheels, bushings etc.

I see it is finish mower per the pictures, you wont be wasting you money buying it as you have the good side slicer knives and a four row flail mower rotor.



I can help you with the details when you have more questions.

Just be sure you buy the kevlar threaded belts (green thread)for it
as they are the best ones.

 

[jimmysisson]

Thanks for the quick response, Leon. I haven't seen this in person, just a CL ad. I would think the wheels would take some strain off the 3 point - I've seen the city mowers bouncing along behind their Ford 4000 and it looks like a lot of thrashing.
My tractor has 39 PTO hp so should be ok. So if the bearings and welds are ok, and there's no holes under the leaves, is it worth $1000? Seems steep, but I have not seen one for much less that doesn't look like it fell off a truck or lived by the ocean.
Jim

 

[leonz]

View attachment 281747View attachment 281751Thanks for the quick response, Leon. I haven't seen this in person, just a CL ad. I would think the wheels would take some strain off the 3 point - I've seen the city mowers bouncing along behind their Ford 4000 and it looks like a lot of thrashing.
My tractor has 39 PTO hp so should be ok. So if the bearings and welds are ok, and there's no holes under the leaves, is it worth $1000? Seems steep, but I have not seen one for much less that doesn't look like it fell off a truck or lived by the ocean.
Jim

Hello Jim,


If the rotor spins and all the knive hangers are intact with 4 rows of equivalent knive hangers
its worth that much at least; I was worried that the rear roller was missing but now that I see
it there I have fewer worries.

Just make sure the rear roller spins and the flail mower rotor spins and you are almost home
with it. A new flail mower of that size would be $6,000.00 or more without the rear wheels!, when my dad bought his 7 foot JD25A finish mower for his Ford Jubilee in 1984-5 I think he spent four thousand for it with tax and delivery at the time.

If anything it will be a good winter project(if it needs work) if you have a work shop.

Flailmaster has the weldment pieces for the mott knive hangers to repair them if needed too.



Let me know when you bring it home so that I may welcome you as the newest citizen member of
the Flail Mower Nation.

 

[leonz]

It looks like it was never repainted while it was used.
It probably spent time in an open shed.
If it spins and the rear roller spins it should be fine.
You would spend $6,000.00 for new one of that size without wheels now jim.

It may need a few things but it would be good winter project if you have room, and flailmaster will have the parts for it.

 

[jimmysisson]

Thanks Leon. Now to see if I can make the deal.

 

[leonz]

This flail mower is worth that much jim,

Please take it to the car wash and have it sand blasted
for painting if you can afford to have it sand blasted.

Preferably dry ice blasted as there is much less mess as
the dry ice pellets will evaporate and leave only rust and
dirt, YEA!!!!

 

[Agent Blue]

I have never seen a flail with rear tires. Sounds like a great idea probably only on the higher priced larger models. I bought one minus the rear roller and plan on using the wheel setup from a Harley style pto rake. Economical as they are in stock.... only have to fab the bracket to attach them.

 

[jimmysisson]

I would think the wheels might help on uneven terrain where the roller might tilt over one edge. Or for roading where you could lengthen the top link and take some strain off the linkage.
Does anyone use a compliance link for the top link so the flail can follow the contours better? As you can guess my land has some swales and humps.
Jim

 

[leonz]

I would think the wheels might help on uneven terrain where the roller might tilt over one edge.
Or for roading where you could lengthen the top link and take some strain off the linkage.
Does anyone use a compliance link for the top link so the flail can follow the contours better?
As you can guess my land has some swales and humps.
Jim

Hello Jimmy,


About your mower, the chained top link is is an optional top link
position item on many european flail mowers. The use of a chained
top link permits the following of the grounds contour to provide the user
with a more even cut through the mowed area.

If the mowers top link position is allowed to float more the problem becomes
that the front of the mower will be able to scalp the ground more readily even
with the skids and the skids may dig in easier as well rather than maintain a
more tight integral mounting on the tractor and a mowed area without damaging the turf.

You can always mow one mounting position lower if desired but the chained top link would not prevent scalping if the mower drops suddenly forward in a hole wider than the rear roller. THIS is why I stated you should obtain the replacement rearroller rather than fabricate one as the new mounting ears and roiller are ready to bolt right in.

The full width roller is designed to do tow things first being able to maintain th rigidity of the
cross section of the mower frame and two to prevent the mower from scalping from side to side
as i told you earlier. the rear wheels simply permit the mower to turn easier and prevent the flail mower
from digging in at the corners and tearing up the turf.