The start of restoring an old Mott flail mower

[docrocky]

Dear Gordo 56: Allow me to extend to you my appreciation for your Thread of the Mott Flail Mower. What a fantastic presentation especially your step by step account plus the accompanying photos. I too am involved in an attempted repair of an old Mott flailer. You may see my 2 threads in the Attachments or search me out by "docrocky". My problem is that I can not totally identify my unit. All the ID plates etc are missing. At first I thought it was a Ford because of the out drive shaft being 1 1/8" 6 spline. After viewing a number of internet sites where pictures were available, it looks like an older Mott. Mine is more that likely dating back to the 60s or 70s. It may have been yo that directed me to Tami Mishler at Montage who was very warm and cooperative but since I didn't have the model number she was strapped and could only send me a parts drawing which did not seem to be my exact model.
My problem began with the outer drive shaft shearing the spline coupler as it connected to the male shaft of the pinion gear coming out of the gear box. You could tell it was a home made repair by the welds. It was also recognized that the 2 bearings with the pinion gear mechanism were also destroyed. Now my problem was compounded by the fact I did the dismantling over a year ago and didn't take step by step pictures. I can't identify where there should be ?shims or spring clips. I tried to replace the spline coupler by using part of a pto yoke and replaced the 2 bearings, but my repair lasted one pass on a grass cutting. Any suggestions where I can find a detailed parts diagram for my unit?
2nd question, how did you install your explanatory photos as you described you work. I can only manage to attach photos as thumbnails at the end of my thread.

 

[Gordo 56]

Dear Gordo 56: Allow me to extend to you my appreciation for your Thread of the Mott Flail Mower. What a fantastic presentation especially your step by step account plus the accompanying photos. I too am involved in an attempted repair of an old Mott flailer. You may see my 2 threads in the Attachments or search me out by "docrocky". My problem is that I can not totally identify my unit. All the ID plates etc are missing. At first I thought it was a Ford because of the out drive shaft being 1 1/8" 6 spline. After viewing a number of internet sites where pictures were available, it looks like an older Mott. Mine is more that likely dating back to the 60s or 70s. It may have been yo that directed me to Tami Mishler at Montage who was very warm and cooperative but since I didn't have the model number she was strapped and could only send me a parts drawing which did not seem to be my exact model.
My problem began with the outer drive shaft shearing the spline coupler as it connected to the male shaft of the pinion gear coming out of the gear box. You could tell it was a home made repair by the welds. It was also recognized that the 2 bearings with the pinion gear mechanism were also destroyed. Now my problem was compounded by the fact I did the dismantling over a year ago and didn't take step by step pictures. I can't identify where there should be ?shims or spring clips. I tried to replace the spline coupler by using part of a pto yoke and replaced the 2 bearings, but my repair lasted one pass on a grass cutting. Any suggestions where I can find a detailed parts diagram for my unit?
2nd question, how did you install your explanatory photos as you described you work. I can only manage to attach photos as thumbnails at the end of my thread.

Hey docrocky I know how you feel, I was in the same boat as you are now, and that is why I decided to do my thread to help someone else who might need help. I will try and help you the best I can, but I warn you my knowledge is limited. This was my first attempt, and I didn't take my gearbox apart like you have. The bearings were all good in my gearbox that I could see, so I didn't tear it apart further. I was scared I wouldn't know how to get it back together right.

I think you have an old Mott like you said, if it is a ford they ripped off Motts designs. The the big round cover plate on the gearbox is just like mine and should have a # embossed in that cover plate, mine had the # 100229, yours should have one similar, something that starts with 100 something.

I could not find any model or make on mine either and have found out that is something Mott was know for on these old mowers.

It is my bed time now, call me at 708-747-2295, or I can send you another reply tomorrow, I will be home from 10:30am to 1:50pm central time. If your cutter shaft is 80 inches long it would be a model 80. At the start of my thread here I said I had a model 72, I have since found out it is a model 60. Alamo bought Mott and have all the parts as well as Montage.
I bet they could help with a diagram that shows how everthing goes back togehter.

Call me tomorrow or keep the emails coming, I think I can help you get this back together.

 

[banjodunn]

G'day first off Gordo a great step by step i'm sure it will helpalot of people out there, secondly Docrocky if you need a 1 1/8 6 spline coupler then try some of your tractor supply Co's as this is the same size as the early M/F pto shafts (TE 20) , it is possible that they may do a coupling that you can buy off the shelf. As for your bearing failure it may be due to the wrong preload, I have never worked on a Mott but most gearboxes are the same.If you can post some more pics i might be able to explain what goes where.


Jon

 

[Gordo 56]

G'day first off Gordo a great step by step i'm sure it will helpalot of people out there, secondly Docrocky if you need a 1 1/8 6 spline coupler then try some of your tractor supply Co's as this is the same size as the early M/F pto shafts (TE 20) , it is possible that they may do a coupling that you can buy off the shelf. As for your bearing failure it may be due to the wrong preload, I have never worked on a Mott but most gearboxes are the same.If you can post some more pics i might be able to explain what goes where.


Jon

Thanks for the compliment banjodunn. Docrocky that is a 7ft off set Mott flail mower. Below is a picture of 1 for sale on Fastline.

 

[Gordo 56]

I have a diagram that I used for ordering parts for my gearbox. Email me your addrees and I will forward you a copy. I delt with Tara, not Tami at Montage.
I have already talked to her to have her send me that diagram again and told her your situation. She can be reached at 908-362-5353, she can also forward it to you. Just tell her it is the one she sent to me, Gordon
You need to measure your cutting shaft to see how long it is, if it is 88 inches long it is a model 88. That is how it seems Mott came up with their model #'s. Mine was 60 inches= Model 60

 

[whirly]

Just out of curiosity what is the HP of your tractor and does it handle this flail easily?

 

[Gordo 56]

Just out of curiosity what is the HP of your tractor and does it handle this flail easily?

The horse power of my tractor is 32. It does handle the mower good, I have 275 lbs of weights on the front of my tractor. It is a very heavy mower.

 

[whirly]

Thank you

I have the opportunity to buy a Mott 72 and wanted to make sure that a 40 HP would handle it well.

Sounds like I may have to put some weight in the FEL cuz the 72 is close to 950#.

 

[Gordo 56]

Thank you

I have the opportunity to buy a Mott 72 and wanted to make sure that a 40 HP would handle it well.

Sounds like I may have to put some weight in the FEL cuz the 72 is close to 950#.

You should be ok, you may not need any weight in your fell. The only thing I don't like about mine is when you hook it up to your tractor, you have to line it up almost perfect because it is so heavy to try and shift the mower onto your 3 point hitch.

Good mowing,
Gordo

 

[Gordo 56]

Just got back from the farm in Iowa and used my restored Mott flail mower. It worked like a charm. Also put in 4 new fence post for a gate.
thought I would share a picture of the lift I built to lift the 500 lb flail mower into the back of my truck.