Alamo SHD74 Blade Questions

brianidaho · May 12, 2009

Alamo SHD74 Flail Mower Blade Questions

I just scored a used Alamo SHD74 flail mower on ebay. Paid too much, but I've been looking for months, they just aren't common in my area. Anyway, I want to order some replacement blades, the ones on it look to be pretty worn. My main use will be rough cutting on uneven, rocky terrain, and cutting a fair amount of brush. I'm not terribly concerned with the quality of cut. So, what knives would be best for my needs? I'm looking here:

Mower Parts

I'm thinking the forged, HD blades would be the way to go. I'm assuming these are heavier (weight wise) than the standard ones. Do I have change all the blades at one time? I'm thinking I could start at each end of the cutter and change a "ring" of them (I think there are 4 rows of cutters, so 4 at a time) and work my way in, and not mess up the balance. I probably should just do them all, but would like to spread the pain (cost) out over a little time.

Any thoughts are appreciated. Looking forward to getting this beast home and putting it to work.

Bri

fluggies4 · May 14, 2009

You can put the HD blades on, however you should replace them all if the blades on it now are the standard 100759 blades. The cuttershafts are balanced and mixing the blades will cause excessive vibration. The HD blades are thicker than the standard blades.

J_J · May 14, 2009

I did notice that the heaver blades are twice as much. I would say do them all and use the plastic. If the lengths were the same, you can replace two rows opposite from each other. However, is the backside of the current blades still sharp? They are reversible you know, and can be sharpened. Have you examined the roller for cracked welds, and missing pins/bolts, etc?

Flatheadyoungin · May 14, 2009

i would wait until i got it home...

my blades were worn pretty badly.......it took about 2-3 hours but i pulled up a chair and used an angle grinder with a flapper wheel....did a great job AND, this is important, the replacement blades are "sharp".....however, if you use the flapper wheel and ground a lot on the top side side, then lightly hit the back side to give a very sharp edge....it make a world of difference.

AND, you said what you are mowing is rough....i'd abuse the blades that are on it THEN buy a new set after you whip the field in shape and know the terrain....

brianidaho · May 14, 2009

Thanks for the replies. Current blades look to be trashed: USED ALAMO SHD74 3PT HITCH 74" FLAIL MOWER FOR TRACTORS - eBay (item 130304492966 end time May-11-09 17:50:11 PDT). Doesn't look to be enough left to bother sharpening.

I'm almost wondering if they are the original ones and this thing just sat around for a long time.

I'm torn, if the blades are going to get abused on rocks and stuff, there is a lot to say for staying with the least expensive ones.

I'm looking forward to getting it here, doing some rebuilding and repainting and putting it to work. Really sick of doing brush control with a chain saw!

Flatheadyoungin · May 14, 2009

few things....

mine looked just as worn if not worse.......when i had them off, i sharpened both sides.....your's looks to have a lot more meat on them on the other side- i doubt they've ever been turned around....

so remember for every blade, it has two cutting edges...only one side wears....

i found that flail on there before replying a little bit ago....it looks to be in great shape...

everyone has different opinions but if it were me, i'd take those off, sharpen them with my flapper wheel (both sides), cut with the worn side, after you get the field in shape, flip the blades over to the side with the most meat.....or you can completely reblade the machine......

mine came with extra blades, pins and horse shoes (??)......i hit some big rocks and lost some blades.....i had them with me and replaced them in the field in just a couple of minute....

if you order cotter pins from flail master, make sure you tell them you don't want regular cotter pins (that's what they sent me) but rather the replacement style that has the duck's bill (whatever it's called- they didn't send pins that looked like their pic)....and they weren't as heavy duty as the pic....so the sticks and stuff would actually tear out the cotter pins, then my blades would try to come off....non actually did because they wedge themselves from the centrifigal force (you'll see).....

i bought a flail knife sharpener but at a quick glance, i don't think it'll work on my blades......sucks, cause it looks VERY handy....

i tried sharpening them on the mower but it just takes a split second to take them completely off after you get your tools, get the mower positioned, and get setup...

i think i posted pics of everything on here....i'll look for the old links....

edit:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/128872-flail-mower-blade-sharpener.html

hmmmm, that's the only one i have saved....i'm sure you've done it but try a search for "flail mower" and set the search to "title only".....

brianidaho said:
Thanks for the replies. Current blades look to be trashed: USED ALAMO SHD74 3PT HITCH 74" FLAIL MOWER FOR TRACTORS - eBay (item 130304492966 end time May-11-09 17:50:11 PDT). Doesn't look to be enough left to bother sharpening.

I'm almost wondering if they are the original ones and this thing just sat around for a long time.

I'm torn, if the blades are going to get abused on rocks and stuff, there is a lot to say for staying with the least expensive ones.

I'm looking forward to getting it here, doing some rebuilding and repainting and putting it to work. Really sick of doing brush control with a chain saw!