Greetings and salutations esbwn,
Your post was not lost or destroyed, it was too late for me to respond
properly.
Apparently the mower in question has seen some use and apparently some of the
knives have been "repaired" UGH!!!!!.
it has been repainted JD green at some point.
This mower has three rows of scoop knives on its large diameter flail mower rotor.
The mower has the scoop type knives and the compression type knive hangers
using the single piece of bar stock to secure the hangers to the flail mower rotor.
Vrsimo uses the same type of mounting for some of its light duty shredders and mowers.
The mower has the large diameter rotor which is of course a plus because the short length
scoop knives are used.
The scoop knive is a multi purpose knive and economical to purchase in large quantities as
they are made from thinner steel.
It needs a bit of work and the issue is for you is time and funding.
With 2 ans four legged rug rats roaming your abode the first thing to
go is the old PTO shaft and the replacement shaft would be almosty
equal to the purchase price +- of the mower.
If you purchase it and decide to sell it afterwards someone will take it off your
hands quickly for what you paid for it plus the gas money.
As you have more mowing season than most of us in the north the
issue is time and money and whether you want to spend the time
and money bringing it up to mowing condition.
if you have gone through the 141 plus pages of the flail mower thread
that was christened by our mutual member tnhobby farmer you have
become well versed in the subject.
I would do the Ben franklin closing argument and
add up all the pluses and minuses and decide if you have a
postive or negative sum for the algebra problem.
SO let us begin the algebra problem placing the negatives in the left column
1. it needs a new PTO SHAFT $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
(rug rats and rotating things do not mix!)
2. it is unknown how many of the flail mower rotors balance weights are
missing-chances are none of them are missing
3. It needs scoop knives
4. Once you buy it and bring it home you own it.
5. If you decide to sell it it may be harder to sell
depending on a local individuals knowledge of flail
mowers and how well they mow.
(crazy but my brother sold his AGCO turbocharged ST40
and his second bush hog back hoe in one day for 16,000 cash SO miracles do happen.)
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Plusses
1. you could probably take it home and mow with it the same day provided
you take off the belt guard and dig out all the rubber dust to be sure you
grease any fittings buried in rubber dust.
2. low cost initial purchase
3. if the welds are good and the flail mowers shroud is not rusted through ++++++++
4. The rotor may be fine and not need any replacement weights as the
large diameter flail mower rotors spin at a slower speed of rotation due
to the rotors larger diameter.
5. If you have little money to spend for a new mower this mower MAY work out with some work
6. it is a peace of mind issue.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
final notes:
Your time and money are assets that you have to use.
You may not be able to afford a new flailmower and a used one is
a more affordable avenue.
The Mower will have no warranty of value.
YOU will be able to purchase replacement scoop knives at an economical price.
Parts are not an issue as they are available from Ford, Clean Cutter, Flail Master, Hard Hitter and others
If you have a land pride dealer nearby you may want to wander over and ask
how much they want for one of their rebranded Italian flail mowers(maschio brand)
under the brown paint.
AND DO NOT TAKE "NO YOU DO NOT WANT A FLAIL MOWER" FOR AN ANSWER-
and if they continue with this I can and will call them for you and LAND PRIDE
This is only because the dealer will make more money on a rear mount rotary finish mower sale.
I am sorry I am not closer to look at it for you.
