Hello foote2floor,
I want to welcome you as the newest member of the Flail Mower Nation.
The Ford 917 is a very well well built flail mower.
If you could perhaps at some time upload some pictures of the mowers flailmower rotor and the underside of the mowers hood that would help us/me a lot as it will tell me what the underside looks like. and how many rows of knives you have as well as the number of mounting stations it has as well.
If you could also upload a picture of the rear of the flail mower with the roller prominently displayed that will be helpfull as well. this will also tell me if your Ford 917 has a trash door that aids in ejecting large amounts of clippings when mowing tall, thick underbrush loads.
The biggest issue is obtaining the right length propeller shaft for this implement as you have make sure it is the right length to prevent damage to the power train of the tractor and the gear box of the flail mower. There are many posts and links to sizing a new propeller/PTO shaft for powered implements on the forum here.
Plan on purchasing a brand new V belt or belts as the old ones are automatically suspect due to Ozone Damage as it spent its time out of doors aparently.
Be sure to purchase the Kevlar replacement belts for this size belt as th.ey are not that expensive and absorb shock loads much better than the conventional belting available
You will also need to change the gear oil in it for fresh gear oil. this is something that should be done annually if left outdoors under cover.
You will be able to purchase The knives, knive hangers, hanger straps and bolts from your local Ford New Holland dealer or from
Clean Cutter Tiller Blades or from
Flail-Master - Mower Replacement Parts, Commercial Riding Mower Parts, Rotary Cutter Parts, Blade grinders, Trimmer Line, Mowing Accessories - Flail Master - Flailmaster -
I would also attempt to find a manual on line or from the forum here as many members have this flail mower model in thier stables.
As far a greasing goes the flail rotor bearings and roller bearings will only require 6-7 pumps per mowing session. you have to be sure to remove the V belt guard to dig out the rubber dust and grease the bearing(s) there as well- belt tensioner, flat pulley, The rotor bearing if not exposed
on your model-meaning under the hood guard.
I can never emphasize this enough-never over grease the main bearings(flail mower rotor bearings) as you will blow out the dust seals on them and they will not last long after this has occured.
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Only 18,883 mowers to go
Once you go flail you never go back.
Pronovost or not at all!!!