Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[TheFarmerInAdell]

Hello all, I purchased a Ford 917 22-183 Flail yesterday, that seems to be in good shape mechanically but I can't seem to find the flail hangers anywhere to replace the missing flails.Also, when I go to replace them do I offset each blade from the previous mounting point in rotation? I have already ordered a new belt as well. Thanks for any help. View attachment 658168View attachment 658169View attachment 658170

The blades should be in ever 3rd (evenly spaced) hole. If I remember correctly they should be about 6-3/4" apart (each blade covers about 2-1/4"). You start each row 1 hole off from the last row. You can re-use the holes as long as they're not torn out. If they are, then adjust everything so you don't end up in a torn out hole. Is that a 5' mower (62")? Then you should have 9 "stations" per row for a total of 27 stations on the unit.

For hangers search for "7502617". Now that Flailmaster is gone Ford flail owners are almost out of luck for replacement parts. For blades you can use the standard Ford "airplane wings" or you can switch to the Alamo "Y" type blades for a less expensive option.

For the belt, make sure you get a banded belt. "B54/02 Banded Belt, 21/32" x 57" OC" is what you're looking for. I got mine from D&D PowerDrive (sold on Amazon) for $17.

 

[aslack99]

The blades should be in ever 3rd (evenly spaced) hole. If I remember correctly they should be about 6-3/4" apart (each blade covers about 2-1/4"). You start each row 1 hole off from the last row. You can re-use the holes as long as they're not torn out. If they are, then adjust everything so you don't end up in a torn out hole. Is that a 5' mower (62")? Then you should have 9 "stations" per row for a total of 27 stations on the unit.

For hangers search for "7502617". Now that Flailmaster is gone Ford flail owners are almost out of luck for replacement parts. For blades you can use the standard Ford "airplane wings" or you can switch to the Alamo "Y" type blades for a less expensive option.

For the belt, make sure you get a banded belt. "B54/02 Banded Belt, 21/32" x 57" OC" is what you're looking for. I got mine from D&D PowerDrive (sold on Amazon) for $17.

None of the holes are torn out on my mower, I am looking for a complete set of the "Y" type slice (7501971) to replace all of the blades, as that seems to be what is recommended vs the single blades.

I believe I have 11 stations per flange which would call for 66 single slicers. 72" cut.

I did order the belt you referenced from Amazon already.

 

[TheFarmerInAdell]

None of the holes are torn out on my mower, I am looking for a complete set of the "Y" type slice (7501971) to replace all of the blades, as that seems to be what is recommended vs the single blades.

I believe I have 11 stations per flange which would call for 66 single slicers. 72" cut.

I did order the belt you referenced from Amazon already.

Look for M-100759 or M-105319M. Those are the Alamo blades that fit the Ford mower. M-100759 is the standard duty, M-105319M is the "extreme duty". I put the M-105319M on my Ford, but I was using the mower to reclaim CRP land. I have heavy duty ones made by Flailmaster on my Alamo. They're 0.130" thick instead of 0.106" thick like the standard blades. For reference, the extreme duty is 0.192" thick. Forged blades are available as well (M-108381), but they're more expensive. Alamo blades will be far more available because that seems to be what m highway departments use.

Your model number is the same as mine, and mine was a 62". Messicks has the number mixed up on their parts site. 22-183 says 72" but Ford never made a 72" in the 917, just 62", 74", and 88". If you look up 22-184 it comes back as 74", and 22-185 is their 88". So you should have 9 stations per flange.

A few (not real good) pictures of what my 917 looked like under the hood (before new blades and after new blades):

 

[aslack99]

Look for M-100759 or M-105319M. Those are the Alamo blades that fit the Ford mower. M-100759 is the standard duty, M-105319M is the "extreme duty". I put the M-105319M on my Ford, but I was using the mower to reclaim CRP land. I have heavy duty ones made by Flailmaster on my Alamo. They're 0.130" thick instead of 0.106" thick like the standard blades. For reference, the extreme duty is 0.192" thick. Forged blades are available as well (M-108381), but they're more expensive. Alamo blades will be far more available because that seems to be what m highway departments use.

Your model number is the same as mine, and mine was a 62". Messicks has the number mixed up on their parts site. 22-183 says 72" but Ford never made a 72" in the 917, just 62", 74", and 88". If you look up 22-184 it comes back as 74", and 22-185 is their 88". So you should have 9 stations per flange.

A few (not real good) pictures of what my 917 looked like under the hood (before new blades and after new blades):
View attachment 658270View attachment 658271

Thank you very much. I like options. I wish Flailmaster was still in business.

 

[arto98607]

.......................zip........................ Now that Flailmaster is gone Ford flail owners are almost out of luck for replacement parts.................zip.................

Probably so for Ford 917 model flail mower owners.

I think Mott/Alamo flails will fit Ford 917L which is a different little newer design.
(The only difference is the mounting hole 5/16" vs 3/8")

OEM 917L parts are available but pricey.


917L rotor:

 

[jthibodeau89]

Thank you very much. I like options. I wish Flailmaster was still in business.

Me too. I could stop by on my way home from work. Bought a full set of spare blades for both of my JD flails when they were on closeout discount. (25A, and 390).

I'm considering one of the heavy duty Victory flails (EMHD-86) for a fence row and ditch bank mower. Perhaps replace the 390.

 

[FlailMaster]

Hello everyone,

I haven't posted here in some time but many of you call on me for parts. I wanted to let you know that National Parts - Flail Master will be closing our doors very soon. The company announced on Friday of last week we were to start liquidating our inventory to close the business. I know this was a very difficult decision for the owner of the company as we have been in business for almost 55 years. His father started this company in his garage all those years ago. This saddens me too as I have come to love my work and all of the folks who have trusted me over the past several years to help maintain your machines. If you are looking to stock up on any parts for your flail - now is the time. We have sold so much of our inventory in just a few short days. Two parts in particular I know are very hard to come by at a decent price are the Ford 220398 single piece blade and the hanger 222157. Pricing online is crazy.

Anyhow, I understand if the post needs to be removed due to the nature of "business" it may be outside the rules. I just wanted to be certain to give everyone a heads up before we close for good.

& I want to say thank you to everyone who has done business with us over the years. We are grateful. I hope you all a blessed future.

Sincerely,
Carrie

I wanted to let everyone know that National Parts - Flailmaster is currently re-organizing the company and hope to have more info available soon as to when we will be manufacturing again. We are still taking orders and continuing to service our customers should you need anything this season.

 

[FlailMaster]

Thank you very much. I like options. I wish Flailmaster was still in business.

We are working on getting things altogether. Look for an announcement to come soon! For now, I am still taking orders for the parts we manufactured and others - stock is still available and I'll be happy to help y'all.

- Carrie

 

[Industrial Toys]

Curious. Do you sell hammers for the Van-Wamel "PERFECT" ditch mower, made in Holland ?

AND, is there any alternative? I don't like throwing away a hammer because I hit one stone and it can't be sharpened on account of the shape and balance.

 

[jthibodeau89]

We are working on getting things altogether. Look for an announcement to come soon! For now, I am still taking orders for the parts we manufactured and others - stock is still available and I'll be happy to help y'all.

- Carrie

Fantastic news Carrie. I look forward to your announcement.

 

[TheFarmerInAdell]

I wanted to let everyone know that National Parts - Flailmaster is currently re-organizing the company and hope to have more info available soon as to when we will be manufacturing again. We are still taking orders and continuing to service our customers should you need anything this season.

We are working on getting things altogether. Look for an announcement to come soon! For now, I am still taking orders for the parts we manufactured and others - stock is still available and I'll be happy to help y'all.

- Carrie

This is great news! I'm set on blades for a while, but other people are certainly in need of parts, and Flailmaster was always a perfect resource for those parts.

aslack99 - Contact Carrie with the parts you need, she might be able to help you out.

 

[aslack99]

We are working on getting things altogether. Look for an announcement to come soon! For now, I am still taking orders for the parts we manufactured and others - stock is still available and I'll be happy to help y'all.

- Carrie

Wow, I sure wish I had known that, as I ordered a full set plus some spares from another vendor. I'm sure I will need some more in the future.

 

[arto98607]

Deleted

 

[arto98607]

I wanted to let everyone know that National Parts - Flailmaster is currently re-organizing the company and hope to have more info available soon as to when we will be manufacturing again. We are still taking orders and continuing to service our customers should you need anything this season.

I ordered a set of replacement flails from them on June 5th for Ford 917L Special mower.
These are Alamo / Mott flails and will need slight drilling of holes from 5/16" to 3/8".



Here is someone else's photo of Mott vs. Ford flails:




I will give update once they have been installed.

 

[Otto33]

My Titan Implement FL135 was delivered today, attached to my new LS MT225s. Got the hammers instead of the rough cut blades.

The name plate actually says "Cosmo Agrilculture Srl-Busca-Italia". Seems like a well put together machine.

My wife is already out using it right now, and even with minimal adjusting, the cut looks more than good enough for our uses.

Thanks for all of the knowledge on this thread. Probably saved me from purchasing 2 mowers instead of 1.

 

[leonz]

My Titan Implement FL135 was delivered today, attached to my new LS MT225s. Got the hammers instead of the rough cut blades.

The name plate actually says "Cosmo Agrilculture Srl-Busca-Italia". Seems like a well put together machine.

My wife is already out using it right now, and even with minimal adjusting, the cut looks more than good enough for our uses.

Thanks for all of the knowledge on this thread. Probably saved me from purchasing 2 mowers instead of 1.

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



Hello and good evening Otto;


I want to welcome you as the newest resident member of the "Flail Mower Nations" from
the great State of Connecticut-New Haven Branch.

Happy mowing.

 

[leonz]

More bad news on the flail mower front on my mountain.

The Mathews Lawn Genie came out of storage today.
I spent the afternoon doing surgery on the engine. I removed the fan shroud and inlet cooling air screen and I and cleaned all the mouse nests out of it and then put it back together; checked the oil and poured in fresh gas and it fired right up for me.

Now for the bad news; I need new tires and the last time I bought new tires for it was 10 years ago.

SO I am wondering if anyone out here would be interested in the 48 inch lawn genie pick up mower.
It has been well maintained by me and everything works.


The Mathews folks still offer parts for all the lawn genies so that is not a problem and the engine still has lots of life in it and good compression.


If interested please PM me.

 

[MikeZQ]

Hello all, my first post. I have read most of this thread and only seen a couple mentions of Mathews flail mowers.
I found one at the local Kubota dealer for a reasonable price, (for the north west anyway) haven't gone to look at it yet. My concern is availability of parts when it needs repair.
Also any opinions on Mathews flails.





This is a great sourse of information!

 

[CADplans]

I found one at the local Kubota dealer for a reasonable price, (for the north west anyway). My concern is availability of parts when it needs repair.
Also any opinions on Mathews flails.
View attachment 659231

Mike, question one,, how many acres a year are you gonna mow??

As far as parts, 80% of that mower is hardware store, or internet stuff,,
the other 20% of the mower never breaks,, unless you grind down rocks with it,,

I have had my flail for at least 15 years,, and I mow 8 acres several times a year,,
I adjusted the belt once,, and have probably used one tube of grease over its life,,

Do not worry,, buy it,, do not wish that you had bought it,,,

 

[MikeZQ]

I'll be mowing 5 acres, grass and a lot of pesky knapp weed. Property is flat as a board.
Can I intercgange knife blades for hammers or vice a versa?
Also the land around the area I live in sprouts rocks after the ground starts thawing, so maybe a little grinding now and then.
That's reassuring to hear of your many years of trouble free operation.

Thanks CADplans