Mowing Questions regards a JD 25A flail mower

[RedHawkRidge]

Just took delivery on JD25A flail mower. Have several concerns. I have seen previous references to a string of discussion about flail mowers, but it's too lengthy to search for my needs, so I'd like to put them out for any folks with knowledge of this tool.
1. The 25a's rotor (with cutters) spins in same direction of travel; I've seen comments, plus ads of other flail mfgrs, that counterrotating is superior. True?
2. Other mfgrs offer units with a scraper on the roller; the 25A does not. Is this a significant deficiency?
3. The salesman assured me that the 25A would cut grass as good if not better than my landpride rear discharge finish mower. Is this likely?
4. I have persistent problems with moles who create lots of runs in the grass that bulge up -- will the flail tear up the turf worse than a rotary?
5. It has 36 cutters, which is less than most other flails of similar size -- can it perform as well as others with more cutters?
Appreciate any thoughts. Thanks.
Jim

 

[un-quality]

Just took delivery on JD25A flail mower. Have several concerns. I have seen previous references to a string of discussion about flail mowers, but it's too lengthy to search for my needs, so I'd like to put them out for any folks with knowledge of this tool.
1. The 25a's rotor (with cutters) spins in same direction of travel; I've seen comments, plus ads of other flail mfgrs, that counterrotating is superior. True?
2. Other mfgrs offer units with a scraper on the roller; the 25A does not. Is this a significant deficiency?
3. The salesman assured me that the 25A would cut grass as good if not better than my landpride rear discharge finish mower. Is this likely?
4. I have persistent problems with moles who create lots of runs in the grass that bulge up -- will the flail tear up the turf worse than a rotary?
5. It has 36 cutters, which is less than most other flails of similar size -- can it perform as well as others with more cutters?
Appreciate any thoughts. Thanks.
Jim

1. As long as the blades are going the correct way, it should function, and cut fine
2. The missing scraper isn't a huge deal. some people choose not to run them at all.
3&5. the 25a comes standard with scoop finish knives. there may only be 36 but they are like 4" wide and create a near golf-course finish.
I would rather run a 25a then a finish mower ANY time.

4. Runs in the grass? not really getting a picture of what you are saying. The flail will knock down any grass or dirt to the same flush level as the other grass around it. the roller will press down any fluffed up dirt you may have agitated by mowing over it.
the 25a's are excellent mowers for lawns.

 

[clayhardock]

So how did it work for you? What was the price tag? Thinking about getting one myself. What are you pulling it with? HP? How does it compare to a finish mower for HP needs?

 

[RedHawkRidge]

clay..
my experience with my dealer and with the 25A flail mower has soured me. For the longest time, I have had a hankering for flail mower to mow a grassy field and also keep some logging roads clear of growth. JD's 25A sounded like the perfect answer: the right size -- 6-1/2' cutting width, it was JD (everything I had is green), my loyalty to the JD dealer, etc
Before committing to buy, I asked my JD salesman if the 25A was a good fit for my property. He knew it was uneven and rolling but assured me it would cut the grass better than a bladed finish mower. When I got the 25A and took it out for a first run, I was aghast at the result, which was gouging of the sod on both ends. The back roller which determines the cutting height has bearing housings on either end, and they are protected from damage with welded skid plates. These roller ends have approx 1/8" clearance to ground. Unless the field you're mowing is flat as a pool table, you'll experience lots of grass being dug up by the ends of the roller.
I took the flail back to the dealer, and now we're fighting over who owns it.
jimP

 

[JD40MO77]

Did u adjust the roller height?

 

[JD40MO77]

I got one last june for 400 and like it just fine for the price although the 1953 40 I used it on doesnt have enuff gear options

 

[JD40MO77]

I need to order new knives bearings etc for this summer though.

 

[RedHawkRidge]

JD40...
Yes, I worked hard to get the mower set up to avoid gouging -- that included height adjustment of the back roller and also using the upper 3pt arm to tilt the mowr one way or the other. The geometry of the hardware is such that the distance between the back roller's bearing housing/skid plates and the ground is not affected by any adjustments. It's just not suited for mowing any surface other than one that is near totally flat. Believe me, I wanted this unit to work. The dealership's people all acknowledged it's limitations.
jIM

 

[JD40MO77]

JD40...
Yes, I worked hard to get the mower set up to avoid gouging -- that included height adjustment of the back roller and also using the upper 3pt arm to tilt the mowr one way or the other. The geometry of the hardware is such that the distance between the back roller's bearing housing/skid plates and the ground is not affected by any adjustments. It's just not suited for mowing any surface other than one that is near totally flat. Believe me, I wanted this unit to work. The dealership's people all acknowledged it's limitations.
jIM

Did you trade it in or keep the 25a?

 

[daryleculler]

What is the proper level of gear oil in John Deere 25A flail mower.