Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[Catman8]

Yup, generic issue & fix for impliment gearboxes. As far as cheap, it's a matter of perspective. $70 is a lot for seals but isnt isn't to bad compared to an impliment until you consider I paid $100 for the whole flail.

The tube that goes from the gear box to the pulley, is there any gear oil in that tube, or is there an internal seal at the gear box?

 

[Fallon]

The tube that goes from the gear box to the pulley, is there any gear oil in that tube, or is there an internal seal at the gear box?

Solid output shaft to a U joint in front of the shaft to the pull. Pretty sure the is only 1 U joint in there. And pretty much every gearbox I've seen has a solid output shaft.

 

[IslandTractor]

The tube that goes from the gear box to the pulley, is there any gear oil in that tube, or is there an internal seal at the gear box?

My Caroni has a zerk next to the bearing by the pulley end of that shaft.

 

[Dan in MN]

Score!! That's about the best deal on a used flail I have heard of. Near new condition 88" Alamo for ?$1600. If he were closer I'd have ditched my trusty Caroni for that one.

Not "near new"...but really solid condition. It's an '02 and I would have assumed probably originally used by a highway department or something, but doesn't look like it's had that kind of heavy use. Heavy duty side slicers were put on new last year and not even used so I shouldn't have any additional costs for quite a while (knock on wood...)... $1500 for the mower and $100 to the neighbor for using his truck and trailer to go an hour away and help bring it back, awesome deal! Need to bring the neighbors sub compact tractor over later and get it off my engine hoist... :laughing:

 

[Catman8]

Dan IN MN, looks nice, congratulations.

 

[Catman8]

I just reversed 33 blades and she works, there is some vibration I'm concerned about.

 

[IslandTractor]

I just reversed 33 blades and she works, there is some vibration I'm concerned about.
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Vibration at what engine rpm? My flail vibrates at idle but smooths out at 1500+rpm.

 

[powerscol]

I just reversed 33 blades and she works, there is some vibration I'm concerned about.
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Do you have equal knives on equal stations around the drum? The other thing to check is outboard bearing play. My Giraffetta also vibrates a bit until it is up too speed, then very smooth. I think it is the need to get all the hammers in their outboard positions. Hope this helps

 

[innrkid]

Del Morino arrived

All, Update on my progress. I went and picked up the Del Morino today. This is the centurion 158M super. This is outfitted with knives vs hammers. Interesting that they ship them standing upright.:confused3: I laid it down for transport as you see in the pictures. If there is interest I'll report back on first use in a couple months. Initial inspection =:thumbsup:

I pick up my tractor tomorrow and the grapple is awaiting the tractor. Things are finally coming together!

 

[Catman8]

Islandtractor, powerscrol, I never ran a flail mower before so I have no frame of reference as to know what to much vibration is. There are 33 blades 11 per row, I quickly get her up to 2500 RPM'S and I can feel the vibration in the seat and steering wheel, not so bad that you want to shut the machine down, but not smooth either. Are you guys saying that once your up to speed you feel no additional vibration over what you normally experience with just the engine vibration and with no flail attached.

Do newer model flail mowers run smother than flail mowers of the past.