Mowing Ford (New Holland) Mower/Flailer 918H

docrocky · Aug 13, 2012

Couple of questions: I have a Mott 8ft flail-er which I just replaced a drive shaft on this past year and got help from this forum of which I am very grateful. It is a finisher mower because the blades are the thin ones and it does not cut tall grass well or my garden stubble this past year. I ran across the Ford 918H at a consignment auction and got it for a $100. The blades are much heavier than my Mott and the gear box moves moves nicely and the shaft rotates appropriately. My only surprise today as I was on my initial setup and ready to do in some tall weeds was that the gear box is set way off center from the PTO shaft of the tractor (Oliver 880 D). Does this present any operational problem or hazard, like does it require a special PTO drive shaft, which did not come with the attachment?
I will attach pictures.
Thank You

JCByrd24 · Aug 13, 2012

You probably will be fine. Hook up the shaft and see if you notice any noise or vibration that seems out of the ordinary to you from your experience with other equipment. If you do get some, use your chains to pull the 3ph to side to bring the gearbox more inline. That mower is likely designed to be offset to get close to ditches/fences etc so you may need to update your chain arrangement to accommodate.

Halftrack · Aug 13, 2012

If you go to MESSICK's website and then New Holland parts diagram for the 918H, you will see there is nothing special about the drive shaft. The 918s were made with the offset so that you could chose whether to mow with the overhang or with the mower centered behind the tractor. Look for a heavier drive shaft the right length and keep the yokes lubed. You may already have one that will work, or try a farm junk yard. Last resort, TSC, or Ebay. Looks like you stole a good mower. Let us know how it works out.

docrocky · Aug 18, 2012

Halftrack: I followed your advice and centered the mower behind the tractor which was very easy since there were 2 mounting positions. It really cut down the tall weeds much better than my bush hog or mower deck using blades.
Thanks Again

whirly · Aug 19, 2012

docrocky said:
Halftrack: I followed your advice and centered the mower behind the tractor which was very easy since there were 2 mounting positions. It really cut down the tall weeds much better than my bush hog or mower deck using blades.
Thanks Again

And it will decompose a lot faster.