John Deere Flail Mower Feedback

[StevenR]

First post . . . Been reading up on flail mowers on the forum and haven't seen JD mentioned much in discussion. (Forgive me for not reading the 488 page post on flails, though!).

I prefer something with local parts/service so as best I've found, that leaves with Landpride from the local Kubota dealer or Deere from that dealership. Seems alot of you guys are using Caroni. The Deere flail mower weighs about the same as what I saw on AgriSupply, but is lighter than Landpride or the Woodmax that is asked about a good bit on the forum. I haven't priced the Deere yet, but the 96" Landpride was quoted to me at $8k. I'm not spending that much. Is the Deere flail a light to medium duty setup?

I'm buying a JD 4066M, but I'm not tied to them for this implement. Does anyone out there have experience with the Deere flail, 370 or 390 models?

 

[JAD99]

I've been running the 370 on a 3039. Good heavy duty unit replaced an older Mott flail. I run the finer cut knives for maintaining grass and some heavier cutting.

 

[LiveRoll]

I have been running a JD 390 behind my 7060 Kubota for a couple of years, It works well, I find John Deere REALLY likes to charge for the expendables, cutters, rings, etc. generally costs $ 1000.00 to replace all cutters / rings bolts. Could go aftermarket but being in Canada, with dollar difference, shipping etc, can't really see much for savings. It has been a trouble free machine, with no issues.

 

[JAD99]

Flailmaster for knives and hardware. Readily available good quality. I'm changing knives just about yearly so cost matters.

 

[StevenR]

Thanks guys!

 

[ovrszd]

I use an old Ford 917 7' offset flail that I stumbled onto for cheap. A JAD99 mentioned, Flailmaster is a good source for hardware. Around here Flails are extremely rare. I mow over a mile of public roadbanks. I've had several people ask me what that thing is that I'm using. Some have even thought it was a tiller of some kind.

 

[StevenR]

Well I ordered the JD 390. Should be in in a couple weeks.

 

[ovrszd]

Awesome!!!! Update us when you get a chance to use it. With pictures of course!!!

 

[D2Cat]

I use an old Ford 917 7' offset flail that I stumbled onto for cheap. A JAD99 mentioned, Flailmaster is a good source for hardware. Around here Flails are extremely rare. I mow over a mile of public roadbanks. I've had several people ask me what that thing is that I'm using. Some have even thought it was a tiller of some kind.

I've got a 5' Ford flail mower. I bought it for a man who bought it at an auction thinking it was a tiller! When he got it home and looked it over he realized the thing wouldn't till, so he sold it.

 

[ovrszd]

Thats a nice one!!

 

[CTWright]

Ive been mowing with a 60's JD25A for three years in my sustainable Hobby/Business. I replaced the bully side bearing twice (takes me about 30 minutes) and only 4 blades. I mow some tough stuff here in the high desert prairie land and its an amazing beast of a mower behind my MF-65 Diesel. John Deere make an awesome flail mower.

 

[StevenR]

Sorry for never updating! I'm loving my John Deere 4066M. I was iffy about the HST, just being a bit old-fashioned, but man it's nice for both loader work and rear implements since the speed can be controlled entirely independent of the RPMs. It makes life easy. The JD390 Flail Mower has been great also! It cuts really well, handles saplings and decaying larger wood with no issues. Not having a deck hanging out behind is pretty nice, too. All in all, I'm really pleased with the setup. Hopefully it stands the test of time!

 

[leonz]

Hello StevenR,

I want to welcome you as the newest member of the Flail Mower Nations" from the great state of Arizona.
You should ask the clean cutter folks for a parts catalog to compare unit cost for your flail mower parts as they are in California and you may save quite bit of money.