The belt guard certainly looks like a Ford.
I have a 60" mower that looks like that. It's painted Ford blue and says "Ford 917 Special" on the belt shield.
Anyone for a rousing game of "name that flail?
This one has come up for sale near me for what I consider a decent price. 48" in width, so a nice size for the little yanmar.
I think its a Ford 917 of some flavor but some parts look significantly different than what I remember from the one I had previously. The lift pin attachment also seems to be missing the float arms I remember? Could that be factor or is that a hack job somebody did?
The wheels are for moving the mower from place to place and positioning for mowing. Once in position, the wheels are lifted so the mower rests on the roller. They operate very smoothly when the mower is pushed out to the side and back again, also driving around the yard. So far I only operated it in the yard to make sure everything works as planned and to fit the PTO driveshaft. I have a few steep banks to mow, but what I mostly have is a lot of uneven ground and difficult to reach areas under the redwood trees. I wanted the tilt cylinder (used in float) so the mower can tip from side to side and better track the ground. I wanted the side extension so I could get under and around the trees.Downsizing -- is it your intent to lower those extra wheels taking weight off the roller , both for transport and to keep control and prevent sideways tipping when the cutter is swung out I suppose ? Nice installation/mod. How is that mower working out reaching out over bank edges, ditches, etc. ?
I'm going to say that it is a Ford 917 that someone hacked off the original float arms and welded on solid plates. I had a 5' 917 and it was a good mower - had to sell it when I got a bigger tractor. You can put Alamo/Mott blades on them, but that's the only part that is interchangeable. Messicks should have most of the parts you'd need for the mower otherwise, including the original (course cut) airplane wing blades.
That was kind of my guess. Was going to match the float arms to mine as other bits look pretty close to my 917.I'm going to say that it is a Ford 917 that someone hacked off the original float arms and welded on solid plates. I had a 5' 917 and it was a good mower - had to sell it when I got a bigger tractor. You can put Alamo/Mott blades on them, but that's the only part that is interchangeable. Messicks should have most of the parts you'd need for the mower otherwise, including the original (course cut) airplane wing blades.