What about this flail mower?

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I found this flail mower for sale. It is a six footer, and the asking price is $400.00. It has a new set of blades. The current owner seems to be the type person who maintains his equipment well. He said it is a Mott. I saw nothing on it that identified it as a Mott. The rear roller operates freely and the blade shaft appeared to operate properly when the PTO was engaged.

I took the pictures with a camera phone so they are not the best quality, but that's the only camera I had. Can you tell from the pictures if it is a Mott? Do you think my Kubota 3430 (29.5 PTO HP) will handle it OK? I am seriously considering buying it, but as always, I want opinions from the TBN brain trust.

 

[Halftrack]

The mower is an early model Ford 917 flail. The earlier models had the bolt on deflector on the rear and the later models were a single sheet of steel. Check for any "play" in the gearbox and have the seller run it for you at 540 rpm to check for vibration in the rotorshaft. A slight vibration may indicate a missing blade, a severe vibration should be investigated prior to purchase. Typically, these rust out in the trough under the round tube of the main frame. If it is not, then it has been it least stored inside. If the seller runs it for you, and you have an infrared temperature sensor, check the bearing and gearbox for unusual heat. Also check to be sure all of the knives are the same, sometimes a different brand sneaks in there and contributes to a vibration. Check the roller bearings for play or wear. If no problems arise, the price is below what I would ask for the mower. Your tractor should handle the mower for most jobs, but the heavier the grass, weeds etc, the slower you will go. Good luck!!!