Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[Bruster]

Thanks very much. I'll take that as a solid answer. I only mow or rototill or use the loader. What PTO implements would use the 1K?

 

[IslandTractor]

Thanks very much. I'll take that as a solid answer. I only mow or rototill or use the loader. What PTO implements would use the 1K?

Some Ag equipment runs at 1000. 1000pto on a big tractor allows running some implements like a generator at lower engine rpm.

 

[Code54]

Also some wood chippers can be run at 1000 (helps blow the chips out)

 

[lennyzx11]

Shame on Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I forgot that the roller on these units is non adjustable
from what I remember now which required the gauge
wheels to control .

Leonz, look at these pictures please.



So, I got home last night and promptly started messing with the new toy. The gearbox would only turn about a 1/4 turn by hand so I was a little worried. Checked the oil, greased everything I could find a zerk on and stuck a pipe wrench on the shaft from the gearbox to the side drive pulley. No effort at all it started turning and freed up in a few turns to being able to spin by hand.
Hooked it up. Had to wirebrush the PTO end a little to get a shaft on it. Looked one last time underneath and noticed that there are two different kinda knives on it.

So about 9 pm, climbed on tractor, ducked my head, said 57 Hail Marys, and engaged it at low rpm. And the idler pulley wasn't moving. The pivot bracket was frozen up. Some penetrating oil, wire
Brush and pry bar got
It loose and the old screen door spring was able to now apply tension.
And the **** thing still wasn't turning when power was applied. Idler pulley bearing was stiff. Worked it by hand a few rounds and it freed up.
Back on tractor. Light it up at lower rpm and it sets there quietly running. All Right!
Advance the throttle slightly a little at a time while crouching fearfully behind the tractor seat back spins it faster & faster.
Then about 1500 rpm on the tractor, THE WORLD STARTS COMING TO AN END right behind the quick hitch of my tractor. This thing vibrating! Bad! So shut down. Look at all and open a beer and ponder situation.
Scientifically conclude that the proper way to examine said problem and interpret data would be to finish beer, and restart test. Put hard hat on, crouch behind seat deeper and run her on up to 540 rpm. And she got eerily quiet once more. Just sat there whirring.

So at midnight. I gotta back out the shop and test it. This is one pass through briars over my typical rocks. The brush hog does this with explosions and missiles throughout.
The flail mower... Just sat back there whirring. Except for the cool spark or two that came out from under when a rock announced its presence.

Gotta figure out the model exactly. Get a fresh set of knives and start cleaning up the old girl. ( & finish catching up on this thread. I'm up to post 1112)

Thanks for all the info. Never even knew what one of these was until I saw this thread.

 

[EdwardB]

Leonz, look at these pictures please. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=469163"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=469164"/> So, I got home last night and promptly started messing with the new toy. The gearbox would only turn about a 1/4 turn by hand so I was a little worried. Checked the oil, greased everything I could find a zerk on and stuck a pipe wrench on the shaft from the gearbox to the side drive pulley. No effort at all it started turning and freed up in a few turns to being able to spin by hand. Hooked it up. Had to wirebrush the PTO end a little to get a shaft on it. Looked one last time underneath and noticed that there are two different kinda knives on it. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=469165"/> So about 9 pm, climbed on tractor, ducked my head, said 57 Hail Marys, and engaged it at low rpm. And the idler pulley wasn't moving. The pivot bracket was frozen up. Some penetrating oil, wire Brush and pry bar got It loose and the old screen door spring was able to now apply tension. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=469167"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=469168"/> And the **** thing still wasn't turning when power was applied. Idler pulley bearing was stiff. Worked it by hand a few rounds and it freed up. Back on tractor. Light it up at lower rpm and it sets there quietly running. All Right! Advance the throttle slightly a little at a time while crouching fearfully behind the tractor seat back spins it faster & faster. Then about 1500 rpm on the tractor, THE WORLD STARTS COMING TO AN END right behind the quick hitch of my tractor. This thing vibrating! Bad! So shut down. Look at all and open a beer and ponder situation. Scientifically conclude that the proper way to examine said problem and interpret data would be to finish beer, and restart test. Put hard hat on, crouch behind seat deeper and run her on up to 540 rpm. And she got eerily quiet once more. Just sat there whirring. So at midnight. I gotta back out the shop and test it. This is one pass through briars over my typical rocks. The brush hog does this with explosions and missiles throughout. The flail mower... Just sat back there whirring. Except for the cool spark or two that came out from under when a rock announced its presence.<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=469170"/> Gotta figure out the model exactly. Get a fresh set of knives and start cleaning up the old girl. ( & finish catching up on this thread. I'm up to post 1112) Thanks for all the info. Never even knew what one of these was until I saw this thread.

My Mott 72 does the same thing. Quiet, then vibrating and loud and then purrs as the PTO rpm's throttle up to 540. Is that progression normal?

 

[lennyzx11]

I am looking for information on my particular model. I have two things that make it different than all I can find regarding an "Interstater" or a SHD or a Mott 72.
I haven't found another like it yet.

The front three point is round tube.
The serial number is fairly low.
Does anybody recognize this particular model? And narrow down the year of manufacture?
Thank you,
Lenny

 

[Ozarks Landowner]

New member here with a question about blades.
I just purchased an old pull behind John Deere flail mower that I'm not sure of the model. It has four rows of blades with 8 blade attachments per row. I am looking to purchase new cutters but I'm not sure which ones to get as it has several different types on it now. Some are attached with the D-loop yet most are attached by two chain links connected to a piece of flat bar bolted to the drum. All y type cutters.

I am mainly going to be cutting grass that is mowed several times a year and keeping food plots trimmed with the cutting of more light brush fields every once in a while.

What would be the best blades to use and what attachment? Thanks for any help. Can't wait to try this thing out.

 

[leonz]

New member here with a question about blades.

1. I just purchased an old pull behind John Deere flail mower
that I'm not sure of the model.

2. It has four rows of blades with 8 blade attachments per row.

3. I am looking to purchase new cutters but I'm not sure which ones
to get as it has several different types on it now.

4. Some are attached with the D-loop yet most are attached by two chain links
connected to a piece of flat bar bolted to the drum. All y type cutters.

5. I am mainly going to be cutting grass that is mowed several times a year and keeping food plots trimmed with
the cutting of more light brush fields every once in a while.

6. What would be the best blades to use and what attachment? Thanks for any help. Can't wait to try this thing
out.

====================================================================

1. If its a pull behind John Deere Flail Mower, it is a Towed Flail Crop Shredder.
a. what is the exact width of cut from the interior left side of the mower shroud
to the right side???
b. look for the serial number on the front tubular weldment, on the mower shroud itself and under the V Belt
guard.

2. Until I know more I am going to assume it has the scoop knives due to the number of mounting stations-
fewer mounting stations generally means the flail mower has the heavy wide scoop knives, some folks call them duck foot knives.

3. Wait on the purchase of new knives until I hear more of the description of the flail shredder from you.

4. The previous owner did not install the proper repair parts-the welded parts on the knife hangers are an absolute NO NO and you need to go through it completely or take it to a John Deere dealer to be sure its OK to use.
(this does not mean you need to spend a small fortune to get your flail shredder up to snuff, just time and patience for detail to make sure all your work is right and you find problems and fix them before they start.


5. 2 inch mowing height with NO exceptions to maintain your plots and keep back the invasive plants like poison ivy and ant hills.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


You have purchased a good flail shredder that needs a bit of work:

1. new scoop knives
2. knife hangers
3. new belts(The Kevlar belts are best for shock loads)
4. check the tires for side wall cracks. if the side walls are cracked you will want new ones. if the wheels are loose you need new bearings.
5. change the oil in the gearbox and check the shaft seals on the gearbox for leaking.
a. if you have solid tires just check the wheels to see if the bearing bores are loose/shot.

I am not trying to spend your money, I want you to have a safe well maintained mower to work with.
you will have to mow slowly to get a good finish and you will not regret taking the extra time to mow
with it. The only bad thing is the scoop knives will not recut the clippings until they are bone dry.
=====================================================================



I want to welcome you as the newest member of the Flail Mower Nation.

 

[leonz]

I am pretty sure it is an early MOTT Interstater.

Usually the serial number indicates the order number and the last digit of the year.

Many inventory methods include the Order number/month/year depending strictly on the manufacturers inventory method.

You can still get parts so no worry there.



Welcome to the Flail Mower Nation.

 

[leonz]

My Mott 72 does the same thing. Quiet, then vibrating and loud and then purrs as the PTO rpm's throttle up to 540. Is that progression normal?

======================================================================

Your mower sounds normal, The orbit of the knives and the knife hangers makes plenty of noise at first and then sounds like a vacuum cleaner when its up to speed and adjusted right.