I picked up a flail mower tonight for $200. It appears to be a 6' cut. I have NO clue what brand/model it is. There are NO tags/labels on it anywhere. I know it needs probably 2 new bearings for the main shaft (one is clearly bad), and will need some new knifes. Even in its current state, it cuts pretty nice though!
Can anyone ID it for me so I can start locating parts, and maybe a manual? Also, I saw in conversation elsewhere that they are supposed to 'float' on the hitch? I dont see how that is possible with this mower? I also need to figure out what to use for a 'debris shield' on the back.
Any advise will be greatly appreciated!!
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Looks to me like you got a great deal. Sorry I can't help with ID, but I'm sure Leon will be along with all the info.
David Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet
It is definitely a Mott heavy duty 72" flail with the ring mount "Hammer knives". Alamo bought Mott after the owner(Elmer Mott) died in a crash, landing his airplane on his private airstrip outside Chicago. My dad was very good friends with him and the biggest seller of hydraulic drive, side mount Mott Interstators when they first came out in the 70's. He sold almost half of the first 100 made. Elmers dad was an engineer at IH when he developed his new mower but IH wasn't interested so he went on his own. It is a very good flail mower. The original flail mower actually. Other makers have copied the blade design after the patents expired. The knives use less power than a comparable rotary mower and are self cleaning. The self cleaning properties were tested in pig manure.
I don't think they make the HD model anymore, only the Super Heavy Duty, but all parts should still be available. This model was made for years. Compare the thickness of the deck to other makes and you'll see a big difference. The rear roller is adjustable for the height of cut and it rides on that. You don't have to have a debris shield on the back but if you want you could use a piece of rubber. The cutter bearings are Sealmaster but I don't know the part number. There are grease fittings in the roller bearings as well. I think there is a parts breakdown on the Alamo website. Buy the Alamo cotter pins for the pins that hold the knives on. They are flat on one side so they sit against the mount and don't turn. Another trick I remember about this model was to leave the 2 outermost knives off (one on each end) so they wouldn't hit the end plates. With the Mott knives you have to keep the PTO speed up at 540 or they will actually stretch. It was a weird phenomenon were the bend in the knives would move up. The knives are reversible if they get dull. I think that is a forward rotation cutter shaft but not sure if it's a fine or coarse cut. The drive belt is also specially designed specifically for Mott. It has a spring loaded automatic tensioner. The gearbox is the same as on the Super Heavy Duty models. Hope this helps. I put knives on Mott's when I was a kid helping dad.
Just looked at the picture of the knives again. It looks like those style use bolts instead of pins and cotter pins. It looks in great shape and just needs some paint and a little TLC. Should last you a lifetime.
If you're sure you have to pull the bearings, go ahead and pull one and take it to your local bearing shop. They should be able to match it, especially if there are numbers & brand marks on them. Also oil seals.
If you have numbers, you may also find them with an internet search, or at a local auto parts store.
What defines it as a heavy duty, vs the super heavy duty?
All Mott's are very well built machines. The first models were just called Heavy Duty. The Super Heavy Duty are just that, Super Heavy Duty. A new SHD cost's around $4500-$5000. The HD has a 2 1/2" cutter shaft and the SHD has a 4 1/2" cutter shaft. They are designed for cutting grass and weeds and not brush but will cut the tallest, thickest grass you could find, often in one pass.
So is there a specific model # to reference? is it HD74? or something like that? Trying to figure out what to reference for parts.
Also, it would be helpful if I can find a PDF version of both parts and operators manuals...
Hello Mangus580
I want to welcome you as the newest member of ther Flail Mower Nation.
It appears that you have a Mott finish cut 72 inch flailmower with side slicer knives.
I double checked because you do not have the high flow trash doors on the rear of the mower.
you can get all the parts you need from flailmaster including flail rotor bearings, D ring knive hangers, rear roller bearings, side slicer-grass blades, trash guards etc.
Please send an e-mail to
Flail-Master - Mower Replacement Parts, Commercial Riding Mower Parts, Rotary Cutter Parts, Blade grinders, Trimmer Line, Mowing Accessories - Flail Master - Flailmaster - with very definitive /close up photos of your new find and they will help you with what ever parts you need.
I mention flailmaster because the have a bigger parts inventory and they are closer to you and me here in New York State as Clean Cutter is in California.
The V belts can be obtained locally-be sure to purchase the green kevlar belts as they absorb shock loads better.
Be sure to chain up the mower so it does not grow legs.
A new mower of that size goes well above $6000.00 these days new.
Please post any more questions you may have here on the forum when needed.
Happy Mowing.
Only 19,815 mowers to go.
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Pronovost or not at all!
