Goof up on flail mower?

[Builder]

So I bought this nice 88" heavy duty used alamo flail mower for ~600 bucks. I used it in 18-24" heavy field grass and it didn't cut too bad, but I knew the blades were old & dull.
I ordered new HD blades and when they arrived I started to install them but they didn't fit.
Unknowingly, I bought a "finish" flail mower. It only takes one kind of long (4.5") thin delicate looking blade. It has 108 blade mounts instead of usual 44 mounts on the "rough cut" flail.
I re-ordered new finish blades, but my fear is it will only be able to cut finish lawns and might be too delicate for my typical application (fields). I'd doubt I'll ever take it through rocks & brush, but I don't know if it's even up to the task of cutting tall field grass.

Do I need to sell this mower & start searching all over again? I would think the knife drum is repaceable, but probably more than what I paid for the mower.

 

[Ford tractor]

Expensive way to learn. Finish mowers are for lawns, you will damage it in fields with rocks, stumps, etc. Sharpen the blades, paint it and sell at a profit then buy the right tool.

 

[Builder]

Fortunately, I got the mower real cheap, so I can probably sell for quite a bit more than I paid. I already cut 2 fields with it. No damage so far, but don't want any, either.

 

[IslandTractor]

I think you have a couple of choices. If you really need a tough "bush hog" flail then fix it up with the new blades and sell at a profit. If you are planning to use it as a pasture mower then the finish flail will do the job (better than needed and a bit slower). The downside of using it as a pasture mower is that you'll be wearing out the blades faster and there are more of them to sharpen or replace each time. I don't think you'll damage it as the basic protection for a flail mower is the ability of the blade to bounce out of the way and that will work with the finish blades too.

If you decide to keep it you might consider checking with Flailmaster to see if there are any medium duty blades that would fit. I'm sure their replacements will be cheaper than JD and there is a fair amount of interchangability with the flails. You could also experiment with putting heavier flails on half the stations and leaving the other half empty.

If you have fixed it up and can afford to wait until spring to sell I would think you could get a good price on a reconditioned JD finish flail.

 

[Builder]

According to FM, no other blades (other than finish blades) will fit.

 

[IslandTractor]

According to FM, no other blades (other than finish blades) will fit.

Is that due to measurements or policy? They told me they did not sell Caroni HD knives but in fact the Mott HD forged were virtual twins of the Caroni sourced knives in all dimensions including weight. If you find something in their catalog with appropriate dimensions they are nice about weighing them for you and they also don't give you any grief fir returning unused stuff.

 

[J_J]

A lot of the finish blades are reversible, and they can be sharpened..

 

[Builder]

The finish knives have a considerably smaller mounting hole & pin (maybe 1/4") the heavier knives which have a bigger hole & pin.

 

[sandman2234]

I recently asked a friend with a CNC mill and a good mind towards designing if it was feasible to design and make blades for flail mowers. Each part is typically to cheap to make any money off of, unless there is a huge volume, which might be possible with the right designed knives. I was supposed to send some links to what I was referencing, but haven't followed thru. Maybe post pictures and sizes here and we can help you look, and I can forward this link as food for thought.
David from jax

 

[IslandTractor]

The finish knives have a considerably smaller mounting hole & pin (maybe 1/4") the heavier knives which have a bigger hole & pin.

I guess then if you need the rough cut capability then you'll have to sell. You got the mower at such a good price that I'd just add a new set of knives from FM and list it widely on Craigslist or even eBay.