Flail Mower New member. New owner JD 25 A Flail mower. Help!

[Ribz]

Could it be the dealer just needs the 6 digits on the end and not the entire number? Try just giving them the numbers after they get past the model.

Tried that, no luck. Thanks tho.

 

[shaeff]

Tried that, no luck. Thanks tho.

I just order everything from Flailmaster. Never been to a Deere dealer, too expensive. Not sure if anyone posted this for you yet, but here's the owner's manual for the 25A. I found it helpful, especially the cut height section.

http://manuals.deere.com/omview/OMP58341_19/?tM=

 

[Ribz]

Thanks Shaeff. I have that saved.

Regarding establishing the age of the mower... JD customer service got back to me today. They sent the photo of my id tag to the "archive" department on the Mothership in Moline.

Guess what year it is?????????


I don't have any idea because Moline says they don't cross reference serial numbers with date of manufacture on any database!

After a pause, all I could say was.... "Huh?"
The rep said " I know. I'm as surprised as you are."

I'm beginning to believe Deere made these for Area 51.

I don't believe that NOBODY has that information. Somebody knows how many units are sold each year and how many are manufactured, which would include the serial numbers. This has to be a policy decision not to release that information.

 

[joecdeere]

Back in the day Deere and many of other manufacturers only kept up with the serial numbers as parts were changed, you must remember the 25A started I believe back in 1967 and is still produced today, quite a run! I have a PDF of the older parts book for the 25A, if wanted shoot me your email.

One thing I will point out, a flail mower is heavy, most start around 700+ pounds. All that weight is carried on the roller, the cutting height is set with the length of the top link, if you run through ground that's anything like as wet or soft as you have shown in your pictures, I promise you it's gonna sink in and mark the turf. Let it dry out, get everything adjusted right and you'll have a great mower!

 

[Ribz]

Thank you Joe. Much appreciated.

Some progress today. Found a spring and e clip to retain the pin on the yoke. Haven't tested it on the spline of the tractor yet, but it seems to be working. Yay!

 

[shaeff]

<snip> the cutting height is set with the length of the top link, if you run through ground that's anything like as wet or soft as you have shown in your pictures, I promise you it's gonna sink in and mark the turf. Let it dry out, get everything adjusted right and you'll have a great mower!

I'm going to respectfully disagree with this- the cut height on the 25A (and most other flails to my knowledge) is set by the rear roller. The 25A can be set from .5"-5" if I remember correctly, simply by adjusting the height of the roller using the carriage bolts on either side.

The top link should be adjusted so the gearbox is level when the tractor is on level ground with the flail's roller also on the ground.

According to the manual, the 25A weighs in at around 650lbs. I've never had mine sink in wet ground, but my tractor will sure sink out of sight haha!

Ribz- why are you so intent on finding the year of your mower? Hardly anything except the bearings changed. I have no idea what year mine is, but it's beat to snot and still cuts nicely so I don't really care!

 

[Catoosa]

Agree with Shaeff, won't sink but the rear roller will get caked with mud and he has the cut height setting correct. You can tweak it a little with the top link but it will cut best with the gearbox level.

 

[Ribz]

Ribz- why are you so intent on finding the year of your mower? Hardly anything except the bearings changed. I have no idea what year mine is, but it's beat to snot and still cuts nicely so I don't really care!

shaeff, the easy answer is because odd things kick in my contrarian gene.

Stuff like;
" You can't do that."
"Nobody knows."
"We'll never find out."

It's just a logical starting point for me. How old is it? When nobody could tell me, it kinda turned into a mission. LOL

On a serious note, it's hard to establish a value without knowing the age. I feel more comfortable knowing what something is worth before deciding how much is prudent to spend on refurbing it. Like Clint Eastwood said, " A man's got to know his limitations."

 

[shaeff]

shaeff, the easy answer is because odd things kick in my contrarian gene. Stuff like; " You can't do that." "Nobody knows." "We'll never find out." It's just a logical starting point for me. How old is it? When nobody could tell me, it kinda turned into a mission. LOL On a serious note, it's hard to establish a value without knowing the age. I feel more comfortable knowing what something is worth before deciding how much is prudent to spend on refurbing it. Like Clint Eastwood said, " A man's got to know his limitations."

Understood. And I can relate to some extent, but instead with a '99 Husqvarna ZT mower I got for free. "You'll never find parts" and "good luck finding the model number" is what I was told. I found both within 2hrs of searching the web.

Also, considering how good of shape yours is in, it's certainly worth putting money into it. Price out a brand new one, that'll allow you to measure the value

If I find anything related to build date, I'll let you know!

 

[Ribz]

Funny you should say that.

Called my dealer and asked what the MSRP of a new one is. Salesman says "sure." A couple of minutes goes by and he says, "Hmmmm."
"I don't know why, but I can't find a price in the system." Said he'd call me back when he finds out. I told him to be prepared, there's probably a secret handshake involved.

Area 51 I tell ya. Next thing you know, these guys will be knocking on my door.