Flail Mower Mott flail

[PatMcD]

O.K., I searched through the mega thread but didn't find what I was looking for.

I just got a Mott "Hammer Knife Mower" 88". Not in the greatest shape, but it works. Missing some knives. It has the 2 "Almost an L" type blades that hang from a shackle. I have some Ford "duckfoot-T" blades for my 917H that I put on to balance it out and go mow something. My ground is field grass with ledge and rocks poking out everywhere. Are the 2 lights blades more apt to break off than the heavy Ford blades? I have a pile of the Ford blades I'd just totally go over to if they'll hold up better.
Cutter shaft has 4 splines of 10 blade stations each plus another 3 in thirds on each end for a total of 46 blade "stations". If you can see in the first photo what I'm calling the light blades it came with and the heavier Ford ones in the back.

 

[leonz]

Hello PatMcD,

I want to welcome you as the newest member of the "Flail Mower Nations" from the great State of Maine.
Your Mott Flail Mower has what are referred to as "Side Slicer Knives" which have 2 cutting edges to allow you to flip the knives over to expose the new edge.

Your Mott flail mower was equipped with the 2 rear gauge wheels to aid in turning and keeping the mower level and allow you to mow more effectively on uneven terrain.

In order for you to use the scoop knives you will have to move the knife mounting stations to allow the scoop knives to overlap in their cut. If you send me your e-mail Via a PM at your convenience I can and I will send you a Mott manual that will show how the knife stations are mounted on the flail mower rotor.

Its best to install replacement side slicers to replace the missing and broken ones for now as the flail mower rotor is slightly out of balance with the scoop knives in their place.

For now its best to raise the mowing height at least one bolt hole to save on blade damage until you decide whether to keep the side slicers or change over to the scoop knives to mow your property.

Welcome to the "Flail Mower Nations"


"We can and we will help you with your new to you beautiful flail mower."

 

[PatMcD]

Thank you. How about the relative toughness of each blade type? Will one last longer than the other on the occasional rocky field?

 

[leonz]

Hello PatMcD,

The scoop knife is the general all purpose knife with mowing in varied terrain. A good cut is obtainable by mowing at right angles if desired.

The scoop knife is created from flat steel stock that is punched, formed by rolling and then rolled again to create the scoop before sharpening. heat treating is done after the knife is formed and sharpened on both types of knives if my memory is correct as high speed grinding of a side slicer or scoop knife cutting edge would damage the knife temper(strength).

I tell every one to invest in a wet well grinder from Micromark ($99.00 the last time I checked)to sharpen their knives and purchase an angle guide from woodcraft and other wood tool resellers ($25.00 plus shipping) to correctly set the tool rest to sharpen the knives and you can also sharpen the kitchen knives and metal and wood chisels, rotary mower blades etc.



Most flail mower knives are heat treated and hardened and you need to be sure to look at the knife specs before you buy replacements.

The razor thin side slicer knives that are on many Mott mowers are not heat treated.

 

[PatMcD]

Near as I can tell, the Ford scoop knives are the same width as the lighter Mott side slicer. So I don't think I need to move the mounting stations to overlap, unless I'm missing something.