Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[Catoosa]

This is baffling to say the least, don't believe anyone here has ran into what Dan is experiencing. This may be asking allot but might help us figure out what is going on. Can you make a video of the mower in action? Maybe have a helper walk beside the tractor with the camera, include sound if you can. Most cameras today will record videos and of course if you have a smart phone...

On your question of wet grass, I mow in the mornings as we normally have temperatures close to 100 and 70% humidity by noon in the summer. The grass is always wet from dew, the flail doesn't seem to care unlike my ZTR. If I try to mow the yard the ZTR just clogs up with wet grass.

<edit> I mowed this yesterday morning, it was about 8 inches tall and wet. The close up is what my JD flail leaves behind.

 

[Steave]

Steave: "Is you 918 set up for rough cut and are you satisfied with it?"

So far as I have been able to determine, there is only one type of cutter available for the 918H. I asked about the availability of different cutters in an earlier post and got no response. Mine does finish and rough well so long as I keep the cutters sharpened. Vic

Thanks Vic. My old Mott seems to do well but I really like the finish cut it makes and didn't want to use it in places it really shouldn't be is the reason I would like to find a heavier rough cutting flail.

All along been using rotary cutters and finish mower but I like the way the flail is close to the tractor makes it more manuverable between trees.

So does your's have side slicer knives?

 

[nicko]

Jelf,

Looking for an update on your duckfoot mod, mainly want to know how the pin/spring clip combo
is working out.

I plan on doing this mod for my 1900 as a winter project and can't decide whether to use bolts
or go the pin/springclip route.

 

[leonz]

Standard angled side cutter pairs.

This afternoon I changed the points, condenser, cap, and rotor and no improvement. Had to buy a timing light since I have no idea where mine went...probably threw it out a few years ago since I hadn't needed one for ~20 years... Was hoping the other stuff would be the solution so I could return the light, but no such luck. Getting the total timing set made a big difference in power, but as soon as the mower loaded up the roller again it just brought the tractor to it's knees...as soon as it bogged down completely this time I shut the pto off and drove back to the garage..

Roller full of grass.. View attachment 480909

All of this came off the roller!View attachment 480910

Underneath full of loose grass.. View attachment 480911

Cleaned out.. View attachment 480912

I took the scraper bar off for now, but I'm pretty sure that's just going to allow the roller to really build up the grass. Up till now though, the grass would build up enough between the roller and scraper to jam the roller and I think it was probably just dragging and not rolling. I also always have heavy grass wrapped around the ends with the bearings (especially the right side), to the point where the bearing gets hot from being packed tight in insulation and also friction.

The grass was a little damp tonight, do others have trouble mowing if it's wet/damp or does it usually not matter? Wishing I had just bought a Bush Hog at this point...or no tractor at all...

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


Hello Dan,


GROWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SPIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


)(*&^%$#$%^&*()_)(*&^%$#%^&*()_)(*&^%$#%^&*()_)(*&^%$%^&*()_)(*&^%$%^&*()_(*&^%$%^&*()(*&^%$#%^&*()_+)(*&^%$%^&*()_)(*&^%$^&*()_)(*&^%^&*()(*&^%



OK now that I have vented my spleen;


Please invest in a non contact rpm gauge to verify the

1. PTO SHAFT speed at the PTO SHAFT
2. Shaft Speed at cross shaft
3. Drive pulley speed
4. driven pulley speed

5 Flail Mower Rotor Speed; at the shaft end stub through the open bearing-measure only at
only at this point for reasons of safety to avoid exposure to the knife pairs while the rotor is spinning.

The flail mower rotor shaft stub should be spinning at 2200 RPM with the engine PTO Speed at 540 RPM.

Your side slicers have no cutting edge at 37 degrees of angle from horizontal!!

It is Not Your fault!!

It is the manufacturer of the flail mower that is responsible for this.

All your side slicer pairs are doing is just ripping at the tall grass and pulling it not verticutting it.


You can take the knives off and properly grind them at the 37 degree angle using a wet grinder or
order 100 of standard side slicers of that size that are not heat treated and have good mowing results.


IF you want I can talk with the folks that sold you this "flail mower".

GROWL
HISS
SPIT

(*&^%^&*()_+_)(*&^%^&*()_+_)(*&^

I only get mad when the quality is bad!! The knives are the business end of any flail mower and that is where the work is done!!

 

[CADplans]

I'm hung up on the first picture of the roller. Isn't that showing grass being slung over the TOP of the scraper?

How can grass get slung in this way if the drum is turning in the same direction as the tractor's wheels?

If the drum is turning counter to the tractor's wheels then I could the explanation being that the tractor is flattening some grass and the flail isn't picking it up well because it's rotating into the backside of the flattened grass, onto the top of the scraper.

I think the discussion that I have read states the mower is counter-rotating the tire direction??

:confused2:

The wrapping is nothing short of amazing,, no matter what direction the mower/wheels are turning..

If it were my mower,,,
I would,,, with a freshly cleaned drum,,, take the mower out and try cutting in reverse. :thumbsup:

 

[CADplans]

Hello Dan,

IF you want I can talk with the folks that sold you this "flail mower".

GROWL
HISS
SPIT

I only get mad when the quality is bad!! The knives are the business end of any flail mower and that is where the work is done!!

Now that I re-look at the pics, it does appear that the un-sharpened portion of the blade is doing a lot of the "work".
I would guess 50% of the grass is contacted by the flat, rather than the "blade" ?

If the 3/8" wide flat of those two blades hit the grass,, all it will do is pull on the grass, rather than cut it,,,

That is an amazing wear pattern, Dan,, thanks for posting the pics!! :thumbsup:

 

[sodamo]

Dan
Those pics baffle me. I have the heavier duty 195 now, had the 175 for several years. Not home to look (on Danube river cruise) but am certain mine rotate opposite the rear wheels. Have never seen that type buildup with either knives or hammers. Never seen grass in the blade hangers like that either. I have used both, prefer hammers for my place. My knives were equally sharp both edges.

I can give you a contact at the factory if you need, but talk to Steve at Betstco first.

 

[KenB2920]

I like the idea of having 3 flails. I could get by with 2, a finish mower which I have (Mott 72), and I've been keeping an eye out for ford 917 or preferably a 918 and set it up for rough cut if that's possible. I've had good luck with old ford equipment so that's what I'd prefer. Of course I'm not stuck on that brand another Mott but with a rough cut setup would be fine. Is you 918 set up for rough cut and are you satisfied with it. The Mott 72 I have has a bunch of side slicer knives, 92 stations with 184 knives. If a piece of grass gets through all that, bless its heart, I just leave it for the next time. Flail mowers have never been that popular in my area and a used one is hard to find but I'll keep waiting and looking. I can't see myself giving 1500 - 2000 new for another mower. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=480903"/>

I have the same not as you and love it! The major problem I have with it, removing and replacing the bolts .... Also, it's. 6' and since I know have a bigger machine, I'd like a wider one.


I have a ford 907 6' which has the scoop knives ....

My 918H is heavy however it will leave an awesome finish.

I wish you were closer, there was a 917H about a month ago just north of me for sale. (20 minutes or so north). I'd pick it up for ya if you were closer.

 

[KenB2920]

Steave: "Is you 918 set up for rough cut and are you satisfied with it?" So far as I have been able to determine, there is only one type of cutter available for the 918H. I asked about the availability of different cutters in an earlier post and got no response. Mine does finish and rough well so long as I keep the cutters sharpened. Vic

I've only been able to find one type of cutter available for the 818h hat I have. It is rough cut but does great cutting finish grass as well.

 

[vlcakc]

Thanks Vic. My old Mott seems to do well but I really like the finish cut it makes and didn't want to use it in places it really shouldn't be is the reason I would like to find a heavier rough cutting flail.

All along been using rotary cutters and finish mower but I like the way the flail is close to the tractor makes it more manuverable between trees.

So does your's have side slicer knives?

This is the only style knife I've been able to find. Redirect Notice

I have cut brush up to about 1.5" with mine successfully. Makes a bit of noise while doing so though. It does do very nice finish work on my lawn comparable to my Hustler Z. Vic