Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[dieselscout80]

There is an 8' Ford flail mower on Craigslist. They did not know the model number.

From what I have gathered stay away from the Models 907 and 918. Model 917 is ok

They said was a Ford Series 22-I85 flail mower

if anybody has any input, I'd appreciate it. it doesn't look to be in bad shape

They had more pictures in their Facebook ad.

8 ft ford brand flail mower. Hooks to tractor 3 point - farm & garden - by owner - sale

That one in the Craigslist link is a 917.

 

[jrsavoie]

That one in the Craigslist link is a 917.

Thank you very much

 

[Fallon]

That one in the Craigslist link is a 917.

I couldn't tell you if it's a 917 or al older one, despite owning a 917. I hadn't heard the old ones being any less reliable than the 917s, other than just being older & generally more worn out.

I paid $100 for mine in way worse shape than what's in the photos. Have $600 into it with new knives, PTO shaft & rotor bearings. It was worth every penny no matter how you do the accounting. It's now retired, but gonna keep it around as a spare if my new Peruzzo fails me as it worked when I parked it.

 

[jrsavoie]

I couldn't tell you if it's a 917 or al older one, despite owning a 917. I hadn't heard the old ones being any less reliable than the 917s, other than just being older & generally more worn out.

I paid $100 for mine in way worse shape than what's in the photos. Have $600 into it with new knives, PTO shaft & rotor bearings. It was worth every penny no matter how you do the accounting. It's now retired, but gonna keep it around as a spare if my new Peruzzo fails me as it worked when I parked it.

Thank you much. I may have missed it. There is a guy looking at it now.

I waited until somebody told me it did not look like a bad deal before calling. I can't afford to make mistakes

You never know for sure until you actually look at something, But somebody that knows can often tell if something is to be walked away from by a picture

 

[lagreex1]

Here is offset (I was a little right of center, i'll try to retake over the weekend): Imgur: The magic of the Internet

Here is centered: Imgur: The magic of the Internet

 

[RoyJackson]

Here is offset (I was a little right of center, i'll try to retake over the weekend): Imgur: The magic of the Internet

Here is centered: Imgur: The magic of the Internet

You're right...it does side shift further than mounting it in the offset position.
Thanks for posting the pictures!

 

[Eagleview]

It offsets more by several inches, and centers more as well when drawn in. You can get an idea from this picture:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...1523156106-lets-talk-flail-mowers-nv7webi-jpg

My setup process is here: Caroni Flail Mower with Hydraulic Side Shift kit - Album on Imgur

Unfortunately the shift rails restrict how high you can lift the mower without binding against the PTO shaft. For road travel and going up/down steep inclines (trailer ramps) the PTO shaft needs to be unhooked.

You need to put the top link ball and pin into the SLOTTED hole on the headstock . You then need to shorten your top link by winding it in . This will pull the top of the mower forward and aim the gearbox spline down . This will give you clearance between the PTO shaft and slide bar .
When you then put the mower down, the ball and pin will slide back in the SLOTTED hole and make the mower level again .
As I said in the start of this thread , people should be using the slotted hole so the mower can ride over undulating terrain . If you use the single hole in undulating ground, damage will result as the mower will try and lift the back wheels of the tractor off the ground . Bent slide bars are common because of this . The end of the shift ram can also break off due to the strain .

 

[jrsavoie]

There is an 8' Ford flail mower on Craigslist. They did not know the model number.

From what I have gathered stay away from the Models 907 and 918. Model 917 is ok

They said was a Ford Series 22-I85 flail mower

if anybody has any input, I'd appreciate it. it doesn't look to be in bad shape

Does anybody have any ideas on what model Ford flail mower this is? Or if it looks worth buying?

They had more pictures in their Facebook ad.

8 ft ford brand flail mower. Hooks to tractor 3 point - farm & garden - by owner - sale

I went and talked to the seller. He may have talked me out of buying the flail mower.

He said that he did not think it would work well in tall grass. I was planning to use it to mow the CRP and 3/8 mile of road ditch once or twice a year/ The grass will be tall.

I have another 10 acres that I will need to mow sometime

What is everybody's opinions on this?

Would that Flail mower work for me or would I be looking to sell it in short order?

I don't think I would get hurt at the price. I've already got 2 hours into going to look at it.

Do they make a 7 to 10' mower that would be kind of like batwing for mowing ditches?

 

[jthibodeau89]

Very tall grass may be an issue. The grass can get wrapped around the shaft. My wife just burned up the belt on my JD 25A by doing yhe same thing. Grass is on order of 3 feet higj. Flailmaster folks recommend 18" max. My opinion is that it will do OK if you go slow.

I just found a 2016 JD 390 with 10 hrs on it for $3500. Stored inside and paint looks like new. Web the paint on the spirit looks good. If i can get my wife to meet me at seller with a trailer, it will be mine.

 

[leonz]

Sense I a disturbance in the Flail Mower Force!!!

Good it is that you will have a new to you flail mower for your kingdom very soon.

Please keep us updated with your journey.