Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[Kodiak45]

Do you have a source for new blades? I've found new knives for my antiquated Alamo flail are very inexpensive. If yours are too, it might pay to replace them rather than to try to sharpen them. That way the whole batch would represent a full set of spares for you which could be sharpened as needed.

No source yet. I can’t find anything that resembles them anywhere. Looks almost like one side of a Y blade.
I can reverse these when one side goes dull. The biggest hurdle will be removing them, which is why I’m gonna sharpen first while they are still on the mower.

 

[JWR]

No source yet. I can’t find anything that resembles them anywhere. Looks almost like one side of a Y blade.
I can reverse these when one side goes dull. The biggest hurdle will be removing them, which is why I’m gonna sharpen first while they are still on the mower.

Surely the "rod" that holds each row must be removable, loosening them one row at a time. I'd be most concerned about figuring out how it goes back together first before pulling the rods ! Cannot tell much from the pictures. That is really quite a "relic" though undoubtedly still very functional. Hopefully someone else who owns one will see your posts and speak up here.

 

[toolslinger]

Through an unrelated search, I happened across a photo that lead me to the JD site, and you might check out Models 10, 15, 15A, and 972. They all seem to use that sickle style blade. I can't imagine they made a bunch of different blades like that without just reusing what they already had.

 

[shaeff]

My guess would be a 25a. Never seems that blade arrangement though. Not a Deere expert though they do interest me. Someone way more knowledgeable than me will be along shortly. Congrats

That doesn't look like any 25A I've ever seen. It also looks to be built heavier than a 25A.

 

[Kodiak45]

That doesn't look like any 25A I've ever seen. It also looks to be built heavier than a 25A.

I have a 25a that was a project which I never finished and I eventually It’s definitely much heavier than my 25a. I’m going to hunt for a plate this afternoon and measure for gauge wheels

 

[toolslinger]

Actually, check out a John Deere 26.

The shadow of "26" is on the sheet metal in your second picture.

 

[shaeff]

Actually, check out a John Deere 26.

The shadow of "26" is on the sheet metal in your second picture.

Nailed it:

https://www.equipmentfacts.com/listings/farm-equipment/auctions/online/195178931/john-deere-26

 

[Gregster613]

toolslinger, Great catch on that "shadow" number, although it more looks like a 28 to me?

 

[toolslinger]

Honestly, I didn't catch the shadow first... I found the parts breakout on Deere's page, then did some photo searching that turned up an image showing a 26 on that tower. I had to go back and actually check the OP's image after I saw that. I don't think it could be a 28, only because I haven't found a 28 on Deere's page covering a flail. Certainly isn't all that clear on the OP's photo to go one way or the other without actually applying myself...

 

[leonz]

Hello mgraham112,

If you happen to know of anyone that sharpens knives and has a large wet stone grinding wheel that
would be the best way to sharpen the shredder knives on your flail crop shredder due to their curved
shape.

 

[leonz]

I'm sure this is asked and answered, but sorting through 700 pages of this wonderful thread? Crikey!

After one season of mowing with my wonderful new flail mower, the grass and weeds are not coming out with a clean cut anymore. Sure, I'm going to raise it up and grind the Y knives (or reverse them), but while I'm at it I'd love to get a better knife set. Something hardened, that will cut better, and for longer before needing another sharpen. Would like your advice on what to buy, and from where?


Flail: Del Morino Funny Top FT158C 62", 24" manual offset option. Stock Y Knives. (happily purchased from Good works tractors, replace the frequently failing stock belts with kevlar, never replaced another belt since.)

Tractors: I alternate between my 1025r and 2025r, depending on what's attached already.

Mowing: 15 acres of grass, wildflowers and weeds. Nothing thick enough to need a hammer. Over the next few years most of the fields will be nothing but white clover and a few wildflowers.

To see example of the grasses in the fields, view of video or two here:. https://m.facebook.com/cordolake

Hello and good afternoon Mr. Cagle,

I want to welcome you as the newest resident member of the "Flail Mower Nations"

When you have time could you fill in your profile information?
I only ask you to do this so that a nearby TBN member/resident member of the
"Flail Mower Nations" may be able to help you with an issue with your flail mower if
one ever crops up.

If those are the OEM knives that came with the Del Morino Flail Mower someone sharpened them on both sides
and they should not have done that as it weakened the cutting edge as they should have only one ground cutting
edge. per side of each knife.

In order for your side slicer knives to last longer you should invest in a wet well grinder from
Micromark.

The wet well grinders they sell spin at a slower speed and the water cools the knife edge to prevent it
from losing its temper.

Most side slicer knives sold today are heat treated and if they are not listed as heat treated you
should not buy them.


Leon

 

[Kodiak45]

Actually, check out a John Deere 26.

The shadow of "26" is on the sheet metal in your second picture.

Great catch! Thank you

 

[diesel85]

I got to use my flail mower today on 3'+ tall grasses. I was surprised as to how well my little BX2200 with the Woodmaxx FM62 w/Y grass knives handled the task. No problems and mulched up everything perfectly.

I love my flail mower and my BX2200!

 

[ShowroomShine]

My Alamo SH74 is just getting flat worn out, replaced main bearings last year and blades and now other stuff is going wrong.

Found some Alamo, Befco, and Caroni flails on Marketplace for $2000 or so. Any brands to stay away from? The 88" Befco for $2000 needing new blades is about the best deal I can find, but another Alamo is about the same cost. Also found a Diamond Flail as well for $2000.

Any opinions?

 

[toolslinger]

Is your SH74 so far gone that you can't get it back to a solid condition for less than $2000? Buying a used machine is almost guaranteed to need some work, so you'd be back at the same point you're at now.
I took a chance on a very used Mott 72 for next to nothing, and by the time I'm done, it'll be rock solid. Probably $2000 in parts, and repairs, but I know flat out it isn't going to have issues for the foreseeable future.

 

[Kodiak45]

Hello mgraham112,

If you happen to know of anyone that sharpens knives and has a large wet stone grinding wheel that
would be the best way to sharpen the shredder knives on your flail crop shredder due to their curved
shape.

Anyone know how much sharpening blades would run? I was planning on taking an angle grinder to them while still on the mower. The temper could have already been removed by this practice. Is there an easy way to tell other than having experience with hardened steel, which I don’t?

 

[ShowroomShine]

Is your SH74 so far gone that you can't get it back to a solid condition for less than $2000? Buying a used machine is almost guaranteed to need some work, so you'd be back at the same point you're at now.
I took a chance on a very used Mott 72 for next to nothing, and by the time I'm done, it'll be rock solid. Probably $2000 in parts, and repairs, but I know flat out it isn't going to have issues for the foreseeable future.

I spent 1600 on it last year replacing all bearings and blades including the one that just decided to let go, i’m starting to get frustrated that every time I touch this thing something seems to break so maybe one that is less worn out would be a better starting point even if it needs a little work.

 

[John0829]

I spent 1600 on it last year replacing all bearings and blades including the one that just decided to let go, i’m starting to get frustrated that every time I touch this thing something seems to break so maybe one that is less worn out would be a better starting point even if it needs a little work.

After doing all that surely there is not much left to go wrong unless you have blown a gear box. I replaced the seals in a fine cut Mott SD74 I picked up and it has been a good cutter ever since. I did notice one of the roller bearings has developed slop but hey that's just part of the cost of mowing.

 

[leonz]

Anyone know how much sharpening blades would run? I was planning on taking an angle grinder to them while still on the mower. The temper could have already been removed by this practice. Is there an easy way to tell other than having experience with hardened steel, which I don’t?

If the metal appears to be blue I think the temper is gone.

 

[leonz]

Anyone know how much sharpening blades would run? I was planning on taking an angle grinder to them while still on the mower. The temper could have already been removed by this practice. Is there an easy way to tell other than having experience with hardened steel, which I don’t?

If you are unable to find someone with a wet stone wheel the least expensive way to do it
is invest in a wet well grinder from micromark and an angle setter from micromark as well.