Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[aslack99]

Hello all, I purchased a Ford 917 22-183 Flail yesterday, that seems to be in good shape mechanically but I can't seem to find the flail hangers anywhere to replace the missing flails.Also, when I go to replace them do I offset each blade from the previous mounting point in rotation? I have already ordered a new belt as well. Thanks for any help.

 

[Lnk]

Someone will be along shortly to tell you where to get the hangers. No, you don't need to move them to an offset position. Those blades are pretty worn, I personally would replace all, saving the best for spares. I use the Y blades or side cutters, but I am not looking for a golf course look either.

Good luck with your new mower.

 

[Lnk]

Try here:
<img src="images/btn_03.gif" /> : Hard Hitter, Wear Parts With Muscle

 

[aslack99]

Try here:
<img src="https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/images/btn_03.gif" /> : Hard Hitter, Wear Parts With Muscle

I saw that site earlier, but they don't list for Ford.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I never had any trouble finding 917 knife components in-stock at NH dealers. That might have been ten years ago. Has this changed?

 

[Fallon]

Someone will be along shortly to tell you where to get the hangers. No, you don't need to move them to an offset position. Those blades are pretty worn, I personally would replace all, saving the best for spares. I use the Y blades or side cutters, but I am not looking for a golf course look either.

Good luck with your new mower.

I got my side slicers for my 917 at Flailmaster, who sadly closed up shop recently. I replaced the blades & mounting hardware as some were missing. I wanted to keep things somewhat ballanced & figured all new had a better chance. I keep the old stuff as spares, which I have needed after some rocks & well heads.

I'd put the new ones in the old slots to maintain any balancing done on the rotor. It does surprise me though that it doesn't go to **** in a handbasket vibrating after losing a couple knives though. Obviously replace the missing knives.

 

[Xfaxman]

-----------------------------------
Also, when I go to replace them do I offset each blade from the previous mounting point in rotation? ---------------------- View attachment 658170

Yes, commonly referred to as "spiral". Mine is a single spiral:

This is a double spiral:

 

[aslack99]

Yes, commonly referred to as "spiral". Mine is a single spiral:




This is a double spiral

I thought they had to offset each other to avoid stripes. Thanks

 

[aslack99]

I never had any trouble finding 917 knife components in-stock at NH dealers. That might have been ten years ago. Has this changed?

Looks like Messicks has the U hangers for $9.05 each-ouch

 

[Fallon]

I thought they had to offset each other to avoid stripes. Thanks

They do, but it can be accomplished in at least 2 ways. You can have 2 or more rows where the knives on opposite rows overlap. Or you can have knives in a spiral that overlap.

My 917 was setup with the knives in rows. My new Peruzzo has the hammers in a spiral.

In woodworking the nicer planers have spiral knives where the cheaper ones are flat. A lot cheaper to make a flat knife than dozens of small carbide ones. Quieter & a better surface finish there. But I doubt that's as relevant for a flail. In theory a spiral would be a more even loading, but I'm not sure how much that's relevant in practice. Definitely easier to weld on 2-4 long brackets for all stations than dozens for individual stations.