Flail Mower Rears Flail Parts

[Matt1]

Just picked up this Rears Pak-Flail. Original owner said it vibrated a lot, I assume that's a result of it missing 3 sets of knives. These are the original knives, they've never been rotated. Really dull on one side. The new sides have some chips so I think I'll go ahead and replace them all.
I've never used a flail before. Any suggestions on where to buy parts? Also what type of knives will be good for mowing heavy brome grass and weeds?
Any other tips on operation would be great, I have rotary brush mower but I've never been around a flail.

Thanks!

 

[ovrszd]

I have a Ford 917 flail. I use rough cut blades, look like an upside down T. I buy parts from Flailmaster.com

Vibration is from missing knives. Real hard on it to run that way.

I'm on the fence about a Flail. Have had mine a year. Don't sell your brushcutter.

Now tell me how you could join TBN in 2004 and just now post for the first time???

 

[leonz]

Hello Matt1,

I want to welcome you as the newest Member of the Flail Mower Nations.

There is no need to replace all your knives on your flail mower.

You can purchase knives for your flail mower from Clean Cutter or Flail Master or a Rears dealer.
If you need other parts you can contact a rears dealer for them.

The previous owner did not bother with even the minimum maintenance for this
mower sadly and the maintenance for it is easy.

You need to invest in new V belts-be sure they have the same lot number as the belts must
have the same lot number.

You need to have spare knives, knife hangers, fine threaded bolts and nuts or clevis pins and cotter keys etc.
You can order a new parts manual and owners manual for it from Rears.

You need to change the gear oil as you do not know how much water is in it. check the breather if it has one
and make sure its free of debris.

You also need to make sure the rear roller and its bearings are in good condition and the rear roller mounts are in good conditions.


The V belt guard has to be removed and the rubber dust and grass dust must be removed/washed off and to be sure to expose any buried grease fittings

You need to purchase a new PTO shaft and measure it to cut it to the proper length and use it only for the flail mower.

The V belts are the sacrificial part in the operation of a flail mower and you do not need a slip clutch.
Check the all knives, you can rotate the knife pairs to expose the new edge and get another season before
you need to sharpen them. There is no need to buy all new knives.
Only replace the knives that need to be replaced I.E. a broken knife or damaged pairs of knives.

Take your time, read through the flail mower thread, ask us questions and come back and ask more questions.

Operate the flail mower at the 540 RPM PTO engine speed at les than 4 MPH or lower as the mower will not work well if you travel too fast and you will not be happy.

If you have a steam jenny or hot high pressure washer spend time cleaning the mower especially the flail mower rotor and the bearing mounts to expose anything wrapped around the flail mower rotors inner bearing hubs.


A little work will get you a forever mower Matt1.

 

[ovrszd]

Where do you come up with all this Leon? Explain why he needs a new PTO shaft?

 

[leonz]

If the mower does not have a PTO shaft he will have to invest in one and properly measure it and cut it for length to avoid damaging the tractor PTO and or the flail mower gearbox when the mower is elevated to its maximum height with the three point hitch of the mule he has.

 

[ovrszd]

If the mower does not have a PTO shaft he will have to invest in one and properly measure it and cut it for length to avoid damaging the tractor PTO and or the flail mower gearbox when the mower is elevated to its maximum height with the three point hitch of the mule he has.

Oh, sorry, must have pm'd you about not having a PTO shaft, doesn't mention it in post?

 

[Matt1]

Wow, thanks for all the feedback! I would like to post a picture of the mower. I can't find the correct place to insert a link.
It has a 540 PTO shaft. It's an 8' cut. I'll be running it on a 4020 JD.

 

[ovrszd]

They pull hard. 8ft will load the JD in tall material. As Leon mentioned, you have to go slow. Other than mulching cuttings, a Brushcutter is quicker and with less maintenance.

Easiest way to post pics.
Click on "Go Advanced".
"A" in upper toolbar to the left will be blue, click on it.
"Picture frame looking square" in second row toolbar, toward right end is "insert image", click on it and follow directions.

 

[Matt1]

It the old school 4020 around 95 hp. Hoping that will handle it. I forgot there is newer compact 4020.

 

[leonz]

It the old school 4020 around 95 hp. Hoping that will handle it. I forgot there is newer compact 4020.

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Hello Matt1,

AH the JD shuttle shift was dream to use on the tricycle 3020 I rented.
I had the lower link pins pop out on me. I was having a come to Jesus moment when I saw that 8 foot Flail Mower flying in a circle with the top link threading in when the lower link pins popped out. THEN I got stuck with the repair bill for his )(*&^%$%^&*()_ .


Just set the mower up correctly and mow slowly, do the things I told you that you need to do, mow in half cuts for the first few passes and then examine how well it is cutting.

The beauty of it is your Rears Flail Mower will recut the material even smaller for you and it will dissolve quickly to compost. Once you have your first mowing done you will be able to mow in a very short time as time progresses as the grass will be very short and stay short once you have it down to 2 inches.

Your mule will be fine with it.


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