Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[CADplans]

CADplans I found the weight specs:

JD370: 904 lbs

JD390: 1093 lbs

That's interesting because that was not something I had even considered being a problem for the 4 series tractors.

I use the 1,100 pound flail behind a ~8,000 pound tractor (it weighs about 10,000 with the loader,,)

The IH 584 really knows the flail mower is behind it,, the tractor is REAL easy to steer with the flail lifted,,
Power-wise, the 584 has plenty of PTO horsepower for normal mowing,, a half ton on the three point hitch arms is a LOT,,,

you are talking about pulling a flail with a tractor half the weight of the one I use,,
that is why I voiced the concern about tractor size,,

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

I use the 1,100 pound flail behind a ~8,000 pound tractor (it weighs about 10,000 with the loader,,)

The IH 584 really knows the flail mower is behind it,, the tractor is REAL easy to steer with the flail lifted,,
Power-wise, the 584 has plenty of PTO horsepower for normal mowing,, a half ton on the three point hitch arms is a LOT,,,

you are talking about pulling a flail with a tractor half the weight of the one I use,,
that is why I voiced the concern about tractor size,,

CADplans that is a sharp looking tractor that you have there! Like it!

I just looked up the hp specs on your tractor and your tractor is very close to the 4066M.

I can see that the 390 is offset on your tractor a good bit, do you think that might account for a lot of the weight distribution issues that you have described?

 

[CADplans]

I can see that the 390 is offset on your tractor a good bit, do you think that might account for a lot of the weight distribution issues that you have described?

Thanks for the tractor comment,, I have had the 584 for twenty years,,

As far as the offset, the 584 does not even notice the offset,,
the 4105 showed noticeable rear tire distortion on the offset side when I lifted the mower,,

 

[jonsstihl]

you are going to spend a lot of time mowing unless the ground is really smooth. it takes me about 4 hours to mow 8 acres with a 6 ft flail but that is 3 - 4 foot high grass not mowing regularly and with lots of trees to go around. But I wouldn't want to go much faster unless the ground was pool table smooth.

 

[electrycmonk]

Okay folks. All things being equal. In the past I have posted pic's and details on stuff and have missed out on them for others saw my thread and were able to get these different items before i could...this has been over the last decade plus in time.....

I have an update on the beast I shared pictures above. Here are the emailed pics of it and i have a 2.1mb *.mov short video they sent me of it running. I can't upload it? format issues? the audio had a solid acoustic signature to my ears. I didn't hear anything suspicious but, i did *see* a missing blade or two in the video. The frequency was running somewhere above idle for the tractor from my assumption so any major vibration from missing blades would be very minimal if at all I will assume here and now.

If you had the time and the ability, would you consider a drive of 200+ miles (South of me)one way to get this puppy? Their asking price is now down to $650.

I just yesterday made a 2.5hr one way drive (east bound) to get a nice solid 3-pt backhoe that was out near Tyler, Tx.

I can't realistically em-barque on a run for this until probably this weekend or Monday.

I have heavily canvased the 500+ mile radius from the DFW area for over 2 months now. This puppy's been out there for over a month now. and from what I've read in here its seems to be thought of as a more stout model then the Ford 917, Rhino, landpride and caroni's? A lot cheaper then a new Caroni', Titan, etal, or even several of the used ones in the $1-5K plus club like Rhinos, land pride, Ford 25A's, & Peruzzo's (locally a guy is retiring and selling some nearly new ones at 1/2 prices on craigslist)

There are a couple Ford 917's up in OKC area that are in the 700 & under price window as well as a mystery ford that looks to need a lot of TLC from the email reply... they are hoping to get the model info for me tomorrow on this mystery ford one listed for $200.


I have also seen alot of folks dialogue & debate the "handyman" ratio for this or that tractor or implement or what have you. I'm a gearheaded geek(as history has established) and i'm not apposed to a gearbox cleansing this winter or buying the wet-grinder mentioned in many replies since 2015(?).....

i don't want to "take a bath" on an item but, i'm not seing this "yellowbelly flail as a potential money pit. My ignorance awaits wisdom filled replies.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

you are going to spend a lot of time mowing unless the ground is really smooth. it takes me about 4 hours to mow 8 acres with a 6 ft flail but that is 3 - 4 foot high grass not mowing regularly and with lots of trees to go around. But I wouldn't want to go much faster unless the ground was pool table smooth.

What kind of flail and tractor do you have?

 

[Lnk]

Duplicate, sorry.

 

[Lnk]

That appears to be a finish cut flail. The long blades with a single pivot point gives me that impression. I am not sure if it can be converted to a rough cut. What are you planning to cut, lawn or pasture? Also, that mower has 57 blade stations it seems. So 114 blades, would cut a lawn like nobody's business.

 

[TheFarmerInAdell]

electrycmonk,

That is a finish cut. If you are cutting lawns or short grass it will do well. I would recommend just replacing the blades instead of trying to sharpen them. There are a few that are bent (they should lay flat against each other) so it doesn't pay to sharpen those, just replace. At that point to maintain balance you should replace all of them. It appears to be a Mott from the drive system. Parts are readily available for those as they are what many municipalities use. If you are going to be cutting tall grass I'd suggest passing on this and going with a Ford 917. The Mott would require a new rotor which will likely cost nearly as much as the mower. The 917 will just need different blades and hangers. From what I've seen most 917s are course cut. Parts are available for the Fords, just not as readily. You will need to do some more searching. Messicks can still get some parts if needed. I had a Ford 917 and can identify most of the Ford mowers if you'd like to send me the pictures of the $200 one. Typically the model info doesn't have any usable info without a through google search.

 

[electrycmonk]

electrycmonk,

That is a finish cut. If you are cutting lawns or short grass it will do well. I would recommend just replacing the blades instead of trying to sharpen them. There are a few that are bent (they should lay flat against each other) so it doesn't pay to sharpen those, just replace. At that point to maintain balance you should replace all of them. It appears to be a Mott from the drive system. Parts are readily available for those as they are what many municipalities use. If you are going to be cutting tall grass I'd suggest passing on this and going with a Ford 917. The Mott would require a new rotor which will likely cost nearly as much as the mower. The 917 will just need different blades and hangers. From what I've seen most 917s are course cut. Parts are available for the Fords, just not as readily. You will need to do some more searching. Messicks can still get some parts if needed. I had a Ford 917 and can identify most of the Ford mowers if you'd like to send me the pictures of the $200 one. Typically the model info doesn't have any usable info without a through google search.

just sent you a PM as requested.

I concur as to the pictures being a Mott. I've just read around and ignorantly taken users experience/opinion with as little bias on my part as possible to take maximum advantage of all the wisdom and experiences as a whole. I have saved the parts pages several folks have listed or linked in this thread and others....

we have currently 2.5-3 acres of yard, no where near a perfectly manicured lawn.

I'm not apposed to the ford 917's or even a 25A if i were to run across one... I just can't rationalize dropping basically 2 grand on a brand new unit when there are currently 6 potentially very usable within a short drive (to me) to get and tweak or just clean up and use. (shrugs)