How about this Ford 917H Flail mower?

[tpetty]

I've read through dozen, nay hundreds of pages on these forums regarding flail mowers. I think I'm ready for one. I see the Caroni is pretty popular on these forums - and it would probably be heavy duty enough for what I need -- but I don't like the 6' width. I've got 40 PTO HP and think I could manage one of the 7 to 7.5 foot ones fine. However, that really pushes the price, since I would need to look at Alamo, Land Pride, New Holland, Phoenix, etc -- all north of $4000.

This mower on ebay is just over 2 hours from me. Close enough that I could go get it, but not close enough to just drive to look at it. It's an old Ford 917H. 88" width. It looks like the rear rubber? skirt is missing. Comes with new teeth. Anything jump out at you regarding problems with this mower in particular or that model in general? I emailed asking about the PTO shaft, waiting to hear. Starting bid is just $350.



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[leonz]

I've read through dozen, nay hundreds of pages on these forums regarding flail mowers. I think I'm ready for one. I see the Caroni is pretty popular on these forums - and it would probably be heavy duty enough for what I need -- but I don't like the 6' width. I've got 40 PTO HP and think I could manage one of the 7 to 7.5 foot ones fine. However, that really pushes the price, since I would need to look at Alamo, Land Pride, New Holland, Phoenix, etc -- all north of $4000.

This mower on ebay is just over 2 hours from me. Close enough that I could go get it, but not close enough to just drive to look at it. It's an old Ford 917H. 88" width. It looks like the rear rubber? skirt is missing. Comes with new teeth. Anything jump out at you regarding problems with this mower in particular or that model in general? I emailed asking about the PTO shaft, waiting to hear. Starting bid is just $350.

View attachment 372549View attachment 372550

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You might just have a gem there or a carcass with lots
of good spare parts you could sell.
It is a tough call unless you are willing to drive and spin the
rotor with the belt off and then smalls the shroud at the
welds to see if they either come back with a solid vibration
or a dull thud which tells you the welds are rusted.

You could always sell it for what you paid for it as we have
a large number of 917 owners on the forum.

The thing is the the rotor is not exposed for a photo
so thats a real negative.


If you want a used unit for your mule you should look at
tractor house as there are a lot of good used units
for sale by "owners" and new units for sale by many dealers.

I dont want sound like an ***** hat and pee on your wanting a flail mower its just
50-50 proposition.

OH dont worry about the PTO shaft as chances are he or she has it on another mower.

The rubber flap is easy to replace or buy new too.

 

[Kenneth S]

My brother has a 6' wide Ford flail mower that he bought in 1977 used for $50.00 when he worked for a Ford tractor dealership (gear box was leaking, but he re-sealed it), he still uses it to this day. He did have to replace the V-belt, and the bearings on the roller in the back, and made a new flap out of an old conveyor belt. As long as it's not abused it will last a very long time. That one looks like it's in a lot better shape than my brothers (his was kind of beat up when he bought it).

 

[greg_g]

Actually what you're missing is the entire rear metal deflector. You shouldn't be able to see the roller from that camera angle. The deflector is what directs the clippings downward from the knives. Otherwise they're at the mercy of the winds. A rubber or composite shield then attaches to the metal shroud. I operate mine without the rubber, no problem. But without the metal deflector, the stuff flies every where. I took my deflector off as an experiment to see if I could cut with faster ground speed, and put it right back on within the hour. I had to hose off a significant amount of clippings from all five sides of my tractor cab. It would be misery to try this on an open station tractor. Get the deflector, or pass on the deal.

//greg//

 

[tpetty]

Is this what you think is missing? In parts diagram, #36 - "scraper?" Looks like that part is about $130. I don't actually see the rubber shield in the diagram. Or #24 "curtain" which is $550! View attachment 372693

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I have a 917 Ford Flail that I bought last winter. I had not used it until this past Thursday. The guy I bought it from seemed reputable and trustworthy. He told me that it was in good working condition; however, buying things on CL is usually a crap shoot at best. I had no expectations regarding the maiden voyage with the flail. I greased all the fittings, and fired it up. To my surprise, it worked like a charm. I didn't cut anything very tall or thick, but it did a very nice job cutting the yard at my hunting/getaway cabin. It is a 6 footer, and my 29.5 PTO HP Kubota tractor seemed to handle it with ease.

One observation; I have a Hydraulic Top Link. Since controlling cutting height is done with top link length, a HTL is very handy in being able to change cutting height from the seat of the tractor. Otherwise, operation seemed pretty straight forward and so far I am pleased with the flail as an attachment that I will be fond of using. I have a feeling that my rotary cutter won't get too much use anymore.

I hope this hasn't seemed like a thread hijack. Hopefully the original poster can use my recent experience to help with his purchase decision. I think that Greg's advice regarding the missing rear roller guard is spot on. By the way, Greg has a great deal more flail experience than me and has been helpful with advice when I have requested it. Thanks again Greg for sending me the Ford Flail manual. Much appreciated.

 

[greg_g]

Thanks for the photo, saved me from going out to the pasture with my camera. Three things are missing from the OP mower; the most critical being that quarter round deflector shield that bolts to the main housing. To that then attaches a full length strip of angle iron, and then the rubber curtain fastens to the angle. You can get by without the angle and the curtain, but definitely don't want one without the quarter round deflector shield. Unfortunately I don't thing you can actually buy the quarter round section by itself. Pretty sure it's considered part of the main frame. You could have one fabricated, but it would be pricey.

Again, I'd pass on this machine unless you're a metal fabricator. FWIW, I originally got mine at a farm auction for $150, and it included the quarter round deflector. No angle, no curtain, but I eventually concluded I didn't need them. Broken welds and torn metal on one end of the quarter round though, vibration was only going to make it worse. Had a new end cap fabricated for $75. After that it was new knives/hangers/brackets/belts/PTO shaft. Eventually I had an operational (and safe) 917H. Total investment ~$550

//greg//

 

[AaronS]

I saw the same flail on ebay and asked the owner a few questions, but have since deleted the email because I decided a flail would be more maintenance than I want to deal with and decided to go with a brush hog instead. I think it's a good deal and if I were closer I'd still be thinking about it.

 

[tpetty]

Thanks for the replies. Looks like it would be pretty pricey to replace the missing parts. I'll look for one more complete - and haven't ruled out new completely. (Just hate to spend the four grand.)

 

[MNParttimeFarmer]

I just purchased a very used Ford 917 flail mower. The rear roller is missing. Could someone measure the diameter of theirs and reply? Does anyone have experience building a replacement roller? The cutting width is about 78" and most of the blades are missing. How many blades are supposed to be installed and what is the pattern? Thanks

 

[leonz]

Call messicks to get a manual for your new to you mower. you can buy parts for it from flailmaster.

 

[Fallon]

I'll check my 7' 917 today. If I recall a roller was stupid expensive. You'll be better off getting some pipe & welding on caps & axle stubs for bearings yourself.

I paid $100 for my 917. Have $500-600 total into it now along with several weekends of work on it. Good machine but it's old & beat to ****. Likely to replace it here soonish. They haven't made them in a very long time.