Can you name this flail mower?

   / Can you name this flail mower? #1  

mike48130

Platinum Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2011
Messages
607
Location
Plymouth, MI
Tractor
JD 4410, 4210 Ford 1700, 550, Bobcat 843
I have a batwing style 3 head flail mower, missing the rear mower, that is in really rough shape. It looks like the one in the picture, but I can't find a name. I think it is an Alamo Interstater maybe? But an older version of it.
 
   / Can you name this flail mower? #3  
ODOT had more than several of the Alamo Interstaters they used years back before I retired. The front drive system, with the reservoir looks exactly like what they had.
 
   / Can you name this flail mower?
  • Thread Starter
#5  
:laughing:
I think it is the first generation maybe.

So any idea what it would be worth? I assume running it would be a whole lot more but it the motors are cracked and everything had water in it and either rusted or cracked so basically all the hydraulics need to be replaced.
 
   / Can you name this flail mower? #6  
Hello mike48130,


If the hydraulic motors and gear pump are cracked and leaking oil they are worthless. The oil cooler and fan motor assembly if cracked as well will be of no value to you.

The problem is simply one of economics only because your time is worth something and your investment will be labor and NEW parts

Flushing the oil cooling radiator and installing new hoses as the old ones are no longer viable due to the aging of the hose rubber on both the exterior(cracked( and interior(dissolved/cracked). The replacement hydraulic motors and pump are not worth rebuilding as they will have to be completely rebuilt from replacing the hydraulic pump/hydraulic motor shaft to the end bearings and seal sets as well as the BSP o-rings on the hydraulic fittings if used on this model.

The hydraulic fittings may also be cracked as well from the ingress of water into the system.


Getting involved with out of state hydraulic parts suppliers will be be more of a headache than its worth only because of the distance.


If you want a "new to you flail mower" checking tractor house for a used one for your mule is a better more economical option simply because it it a rear PTO powered unit.

Another option would be to invest in a new 48 inch Vrsimo flail mower as they are $3,800.00 plus a set freight cost(complete-minus PTO shaft) from the builder in California and parts are available and less expensive.

These 48 inch units can be front and or rear mounted so that is also a plus if you have a small mule like a 4 wheel drive ferrari tractor or an Antonio Carrero mule with a front three point hitch.

If anything just save the knives and invest in a flail mower with the same size and type of side slicer mower knives that has the same type of flail mower rotor and knife mounting station type..
 
   / Can you name this flail mower?
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Hello mike48130,


If the hydraulic motors and gear pump are cracked and leaking oil they are worthless. The oil cooler and fan motor assembly if cracked as well will be of no value to you.

The problem is simply one of economics only because your time is worth something and your investment will be labor and NEW parts

Flushing the oil cooling radiator and installing new hoses as the old ones are no longer viable due to the aging of the hose rubber on both the exterior(cracked( and interior(dissolved/cracked). The replacement hydraulic motors and pump are not worth rebuilding as they will have to be completely rebuilt from replacing the hydraulic pump/hydraulic motor shaft to the end bearings and seal sets as well as the BSP o-rings on the hydraulic fittings if used on this model.

The hydraulic fittings may also be cracked as well from the ingress of water into the system.


Getting involved with out of state hydraulic parts suppliers will be be more of a headache than its worth only because of the distance.


If you want a "new to you flail mower" checking tractor house for a used one for your mule is a better more economical option simply because it it a rear PTO powered unit.

Another option would be to invest in a new 48 inch Vrsimo flail mower as they are $3,800.00 plus a set freight cost(complete-minus PTO shaft) from the builder in California and parts are available and less expensive.

These 48 inch units can be front and or rear mounted so that is also a plus if you have a small mule like a 4 wheel drive ferrari tractor or an Antonio Carrero mule with a front three point hitch.

If anything just save the knives and invest in a flail mower with the same size and type of side slicer mower knives that has the same type of flail mower rotor and knife mounting station type..
Thanks for the good info but I asked the question because I plan to sell it. Don't have a big enough tractor and really don't need to cut 21' across.

So it's time to let Francis go.

Is this worth scrap or $1000 is the question? I would think of it was running it would be in the $5k or maybe more range but from my rough estimates it probably needs $3K plus to get it going and a whole lot of work. Not really sure. It is old and rough. Should have named it Hilary.
 
   / Can you name this flail mower? #8  
I'm guessing these things were very tractor model specific. It may be worth the most to some guy that has one and needs parts. My experience is that you can't be in a hurry (or it's scrap price) and wait for the right buyer. If the knives are in good shape, they could be worth a small fortune.
 
   / Can you name this flail mower?
  • Thread Starter
#9  
I'm guessing these things were very tractor model specific. It may be worth the most to some guy that has one and needs parts. My experience is that you can't be in a hurry (or it's scrap price) and wait for the right buyer. If the knives are in good shape, they could be worth a small fortune.
Yeah. My dad bought it from a local ford dealer auction in the mid 80's. Been sitting ever since. I was about 12 and remember thinking "what the F are we going to do with this?" Now I know, nothing. Now I'm just moving it to keep the grass cut, so I think I just set the price. Lol.
 
   / Can you name this flail mower?
  • Thread Starter
#10  
Yeah. My dad bought it from a local ford dealer auction in the mid 80's. Been sitting ever since. I was about 12 and remember thinking "what the F are we going to do with this?" Now I know, nothing. Now I'm just moving it to keep the grass cut, so I think I just set the price. Lol.
I think it was for a Ford 3000 to 5000 series but not sure they have the HP for it.
 
 
 
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