Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[Cataclysm]

I got a several hours of flailing today. I found a missing section of bob wire fence in the grass. It started spinning my 8' flail down and I slapped the pto switch off pretty quick. I looked back and there's bob wire sticking out everywhere! Had to disconnect the flail and roll it over on its back to get it all out. I re-attached the flail and kicked the pto switch and somethings wrong. The drive shaft guard is spinning but the flail isn't running. Then I see the ds yoke at the flail gearbox isn't turning. Ok, I shut it down and take the ds off and sure enough its twisted into. The inner/smaller section twisted off right at the aft yoke. The plastic guard did keep the ds from slapping around and damaging more stuff.

I was able to cut the twisted section off and drive it back into the yoke and drive the roll pin back in. I ran it for about 2 hours after and so far so good. Its not a big deal but I was under the impression that the belt would slip before anything would be damaged. I don't have a slip clutch but am considering one now.

Tractor is the 55 hp LS4155HC and the flail is the 8' Alamo SHD-88. The drive shaft is new (20hrs?) from TSC. The belt is the one that came with the mower. This was one of the rare times I was running at pto speed. Would a properly set slip clutch on the ds prevent this?

Thanks.

 

[whirly]

What series is your PTO Shaft?

If it is not a Series 4 or above that's the problem with a 47+ HP PTO tractor.

 

[Cataclysm]

What series is your PTO Shaft?

If it is not a Series 4 or above that's the problem with a 47+ HP PTO tractor.

Good point and thanks! I will check tomorrow, the tag is still on the ds.

 

[kthompson]

EdwardB, is your wife pleased with the grass cut now? I maybe wrong but if you are using V angled blades then you will not get a flat cut as with any other mower on lawn grass.

On turning on lawn with flail mower found issues with roller and front wheels on tractor tearing up grass. I try not to make sharp turns with any implement in ground contract as it has to increase stress on the implement and also steering and if on the 3 pth it also. BUT we each have to judge what is acceptable for our task, machine and implement and our what is acceptable. On my zero turn mowers can make the 360 turn with little impact to grass with the light weight one but no way can on the heavy mower. On turning with flail mower on the ground the length of it can also affect the impact of making such as turn.

 

[Fallon]

Those little bent pieces of metal actually behave like a wing to some degree while spinning. They spread out so they are flat to the ground rather than the angle you see when just hanging there. Or so I've been told, although judging by my cut on mine this is true.

 

[Rocky Hoffler]

I found a used Mott 72" flail near me. It looks to be in decent shape. I'm going to check it out on Thursday. Anybody familiar with this unit or vintage?

I have a Mott hammer knife 74 that looks identical to yours the only problem is i let a friend use it and i can't get it back flail master.com has everthing you need

 

[EdwardB]

EdwardB, is your wife pleased with the grass cut now? I maybe wrong but if you are using V angled blades then you will not get a flat cut as with any other mower on lawn grass. On turning on lawn with flail mower found issues with roller and front wheels on tractor tearing up grass. I try not to make sharp turns with any implement in ground contract as it has to increase stress on the implement and also steering and if on the 3 pth it also. BUT we each have to judge what is acceptable for our task, machine and implement and our what is acceptable. On my zero turn mowers can make the 360 turn with little impact to grass with the light weight one but no way can on the heavy mower. On turning with flail mower on the ground the length of it can also affect the impact of making such as turn.

I'm using it to mow some fields, not lawn, and it performed quite nicely.

 

[EdwardB]

I have a Mott hammer knife 74 that looks identical to yours the only problem is i let a friend use it and i can't get it back flail master.com has everthing you need

I ordered a new bearing for the roller, a new belt and a new set of flails. I'm going to mow my fallow fields with the old flails (not knowing what I'll encounter) and then switch to the new.

 

[Cataclysm]

What series is your PTO Shaft?

If it is not a Series 4 or above that's the problem with a 47+ HP PTO tractor.

Its a series 3. When you say above, you mean as in a higher number, right? Just being clear so what to look for and thanks again

 

[whirly]

I have a Mott hammer knife 74 that looks identical to yours the only problem is i let a friend use it and i can't get it back flail master.com has everthing you need

Could you please post a picture of your hammers in the rotor?