Ford 917L Special Flail Mower

[wirlybird]

Two cheap 3/8" Cobalt drill bits under $5 each for drilling 240 flails so it did not exactly break the budget.
The good news is the flails were only 89 cents / each.

I tried a cobalt bit, bought a 5 pack, and two of them died on just a couple flails. Looking at the tip under magnification and they were chewed up. Junk bits.
The carbide one held up and especially did good once I figured out it is easier to drill from the "back" side of the flail or the side where the punch comes out when making the hole.
These flails are not about $1.30 I think it was. Still a decent price considering.

 

[ArlyA]

I tried a cobalt bit, bought a 5 pack, and two of them died on just a couple flails. Looking at the tip under magnification and they were chewed up. Junk bits.
The carbide one held up and especially did good once I figured out it is easier to drill from the "back" side of the flail or the side where the punch comes out when making the hole.
These flails are not about $1.30 I think it was. Still a decent price considering.

Assuming your bits are really cobalt and some are just "colored" cobalt. Its a bit harder than HHS is and will in general last longer than HSS will. Most bits folks get are HSS.. My experience with colbat is it will chip easier than HHS will.

 

[wirlybird]

Assuming your bits are really cobalt and some are just "colored" cobalt. Its a bit harder than HHS is and will in general last longer than HHS will. Most bits folks get are HHS.. My experience with colbat is it will chip easier than HHS will.

Yea, these were from Amazon, lots of good ratings. Interesting thing though once I looked into bad ratings is I found those people experienced the same thing I did. The bits didn't hold up at all.
And these bad reviews also wondered how there were so may good reviews. Either people were drilling wood or they were fake reviews.

Tried to drill 2 flails and the drill tip was pretty much shattered. I didn't think they would work but they were cheap also.
Flail master even told me that carbide would be the only one that would hold up to the flails.

 

[ArlyA]

Those flail teeth are hardened steel and tough to drill. I'd suggest resharpening bits and drill on.

 

[wirlybird]

Those flail teeth are hardened steel and tough to drill. I'd suggest resharpening bits and drill on.

Carbide bit got the job done. The cutting edges of the cobalt bits just chip off almost immediately. Flail master told me , along with others here, that I'd need a carbide bit.
Oh well job done!

 

[wirlybird]

Ok guys, new flails on and new PTO shaft also. Went and tested it out around the property.
Cutting nice green 3-5 inch grass it did ok.
Getting into some more weedy type stuff (filed type growth about 4-6 inches) with a little bit of small ground vines and it would start to clog and slip the belt pretty easily. Do need to retighten the belt.
I know this flail is listed as "light" duty but I'm not really sure what to expect from it. It's my first flail mower.
Seems it's area is going to be a kind of "first" cut for that heavier green grass that may start to bog down the 60" deck or finish mower but isn't enough for the brush hog.

What do you guys use yours for?

Also thanks for all the help getting this one going. Fun project and I think I am in it for about $550 for the mower, flails, clevis and cotter pins, new belt and PTO shaft. So no complaints!

 

[arto98607]

I just mowed my pasture with 60" 917L and am pleased with the result when compared to my JD 413 48" brush hog.

It is faster, uses little less power in tall grass or hay, no scalping and leaves nicer looking finish. No doubt it will require more maintenance over long run but that's OK with me.

Just like you said, sounds like you need to tighten up the belt.

 

[wirlybird]

I just mowed my pasture with 60" 917L and am pleased with the result when compared to my JD 413 48" brush hog.

It is faster, uses little less power in tall grass or hay, no scalping and leaves nicer looking finish. No doubt it will require more maintenance over long run but that's OK with me.

Just like you said, sounds like you need to tighten up the belt.

I agree, cutting basically field grass or any grass and especially if it is short than a foot or so the 917 is doing a nice job. Definitely better than my brush hog which I run at a 4" cut height.
The new belt has loosened a little but that's expected to get a little stretch at first.
Do you find the cut better if you run the 917 at its upper height like 2 1/4 or 3 inch or withy a lower cut?
I have mine set to 2 1/4" right now.

 

[arto98607]

Mine is already set for maximum height and I am eventually going to figure way to set it another inch higher.
It is around 3" height now.

 

[wirlybird]

Mine is already set for maximum height and I am eventually going to figure way to set it another inch higher.
It is around 3" height now.


View attachment 702299

Good to know on the height. I may bump mine to 3" for now and see.
I am going over to a customers field today, 1.2 acres, to see how things go. I brush hogged it about a month ago. It is pretty nice straight up grassy.
It should be a good test to see how things go.