Picked up a Ford 917L Flail Mower

[Todds112]

Found this locally for sale and picked it up for $550.00. It's in pretty good shape. The knives are pretty decent, bearings and drive belt all look good. No grass to mow yet to test it. I do need to get a longer drive shaft. Need to order a manual for it also, although it doesn't appear to be that complicated. I was pleasantly surprised it fits my quick hitch (with the top link adapter).

Did I do OK?

Already ordered a "Flailmaster" catalog.

 

[leonz]

Found this locally for sale and picked it up for $550.00. It's in pretty good shape. The knives are pretty decent, bearings and drive belt all look good. No grass to mow yet to test it. I do need to get a longer drive shaft. Need to order a manual for it also, although it doesn't appear to be that complicated. I was pleasantly surprised it fits my quick hitch (with the top link adapter).

Did I do OK?

Already ordered a "Flailmaster" catalog.

I wish to welcome you as the newest member of the Flail Mower Nation.

I know you wil be very happy with your flailmower.

be sure to check both ends of the flail mower rotor for any wire or baling twine that may have become entangled as it will create heat and eventually cause the bearing(s) to fail prematurely. Also be sure to remove any rubber that may have flaked off the V-belts and adhered to any grease on the flailmower and possibly covered over any grease fittings that are located under the V belt cover/ shroud.

Please double check the V-belts and if the rubber flakes off in your hands it is time to replace them. The green Kevlar belts from NAPA ans other suppliers
are the best type for flail mowers as they are much more resistant to shock loads.


Only 17,991 mowers to go.

 

[Todds112]

Gave it a good going over. Sharpened all the blades, all 80 of them. :confused2:. Was able to turn them all around and the other sides where pretty decent for being 20 years old. I was amazed every single bolt came out easily. Some of the nuts still have the original blue paint on them.

Took the belt cover off and cleaned it out. Belt looks like new. No cracking at all. It's a Bush Hog brand belt, so I assume it was replaced sometime. It's obvious the previous owner took good care of it. He told me he bought it new. All the grease zerks were readily accessible and took grease easily. Soaked everything under the deck good with Fluid Film.

I had to try it out a bit. I am amazed how quiet it is. Can't even really hear it over the tractor engine. Very little to no vibration. The MMM on my BX was much noisier. The few tufts of grass that were actually tall enough to mow came out very neat and clean. I think it will do a great job. I'll need to play around with it a bit when the lawn actually needs mowed to set the mowing height.

All in all I am very pleased so far.

 

[tpulley]

Congrats on the new addition. I bought a used one about 3-4 months ago. So far I love mine. Its about 6 ft, I really need a 5 footer but I am squeezing in where I go. I have the 917 no L. Lightweight blades on there. Check out the flailmaster site. They have the stuff for them.