Flail Mower Missing "U" Support on BEFCO H40-048 Rotor

[aballiett]

Folks -

I started getting some vibration from my 48inch BEFCO flail mower

Turns out that one of the "U" support hangers has been sheared off.

This isn't a BEFCO part, I'm going to need to get a welder to fabricate one of these for me.

I'm writing to see if anyone has ever had to replace a "U" support or if anyone knows of a aftermarket supplier who actually sells this "U" support bracket.

Thanks

-Allan Balliett
Shepherdstown, WV

 

[whis]

truck shop maybe even muffler shop, its called a u bolt

 

[aballiett]

Here's a photo that makes this a little more clear. YOu can see two of the "U" supports in action. On the left, you can see where the one 'fell off"

Thanks

 

[kencunningham]

You may be able to use a pc of square tubing, you will have to measure to determine that.

 

[leonz]

Folks -

I started getting some vibration from my 48inch BEFCO flail mower

Turns out that one of the "U" support hangers has been sheared off.

This isn't a BEFCO part, I'm going to need to get a welder to fabricate one of these for me.

I'm writing to see if anyone has ever had to replace a "U" support or if anyone knows of a aftermarket supplier who actually sells this "U" support bracket.

Thanks

-Allan Balliett
Shepherdstown, WV

============================================================================================

Hello Allen,

If I have not done it all ready I want to welcome you as the
newest member of the "Flail Mower Nations"
(No passport required).

What you are referring to is a "knive hanger weldment".
The reason it is vibrating is that the flail mowers rotor is
missing both the scoop knive and the knive hanger.

A flail mower rotor comes in one piece with
all weldments (knife hangers) attached.

You need to invest in a heavy magnet and good rope and
walk over the area you mowed in as the scoop knife and
knife hanger are stuck in the dirt along the mowing path
just behind where you noticed the vibration.


NOW your dealer needs to be contacted, MUST BE CONTACTED,
and if they are not at all responsive to your problem call Befco
in North Carolina which is where their offices are located I believe.
Tell them that your flail mower has lost a knive mounting weldment
and you would like a new flail mower rotor due to the incomplete
welding job done on the scoop knife hangers.

The failure should never ever happen! it is dangerous! AND all your
knife hangers are like this AND this should never happen.

I am so sorry but you have been victimized by a bad welding job;
you can tell this occurred because the weld is not a full weld around
the perimeter of the knife hanger.

DO NOT GIVE UP. You have highlighted a huge problem that is
both dangerous and a potentially a fatal problem due to the possible
ejection of the knife hanger and knife due to the bad welding job.

THIS is not a repair job that can be accomplished unless you remove
the flail mower rotor and weld a new knife hanger on it after the old
weld has been removed as the bearings will be destroyed due to the
ARC Welding process.

They should provide you with a new flail mower rotor and the labor
to install it at no charge.

AND IF THEY DO NOT; provide me with your dealers name and I will
have a pleasant chat with them and if that does not work I will call
the Farm Equipment Manufacturing Association and discuss it with
them as it also is a safety issue that MUST BE ADDRESSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[whis]

if he hit something a broke it off how is the maker's fault

 

[leonz]

If you look at the lack of weld on the knife hangers you will see only two welds
where the hanger should have a full bead around the knife hanger.

it takes a lot of rough handling to damage a knife hanger but the lack of weld
is why that knife hanger and knife pair/scoop knive are gone.

The other thing is the weight of the scoop knifes/side slicers as it added to the force of acceleration
and rotation speed that broke the knife hanger.

 

[leonz]

If you look at the lack of weld on the knife hangers you will see only two welds
where the hanger should have a full bead around the knife hanger.

it takes a lot of rough handling to damage a knife hanger but the lack of weld
is why that knife hanger and knife pair/scoop knife are gone.

The other thing is the weight of the scoop knifes/side slicers as it added to the force of acceleration
and rotation speed that broke the knife hanger.

 

[whis]

that's what engineer's are for I'm sure its not the first to come off or the last. that may be the way all of their mowers are made. Just curious how you having a chat with will get him a new rotor free of charge

 

[leonz]

that's what engineer's are for I'm sure its not the first to come off or the last. that may be the way all of their mowers are made. Just curious how you having a chat with will get him a new rotor free of charge

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

In the press/journalism business
it is called Power Of The Pen
which is the best way to get a
point across to the factory representative,
retailer and public at large.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It is called maintaining good public relations.
The consumer is the one is attempting to deal with
a problem that should not be there in a product or
service rendered to a consumer.

In metal welding it is called the lack of quality control
where in the welder attempts to move the
welded joint by hand or prying with a lever is
and does lead to substandard welds which
kill and maim. its another reason pipeline
welds are subjected to x-rays to examine them.