Fast hitch flail mower question

[Drfting1]

Judging from what I can see in the latest photo, you have very few remaining blades and those that are there are completely worn out. Time for new ones.

Darn.....was hoping to get a couple mows out of it.... Lol

[Crimson Tim]

How do you change those out? Are those the rusty remains of bolts I see just beneath each ring? That doesn’t look like a fun job!

[Drfting1]

How do you change those out? Are those the rusty remains of bolts I see just beneath each ring? That doesn’t look like a fun job!

Pretty much, I haven't tried soaking or breaking free any bolts yet... Waiting to see how good it runs before I get into it, but definitely looks like it's going to be a project.... Should make for a good learning experience like the sickle mower I did last year... Just not looking forward to to the cost of all those new knives

[Dale Finch]

WOW! I have a belly mounted Mott Flail mower, and only now fully appreciate the knives I have that install with the pin/cotter pin! I cannot imagine try to remove all those nuts/bolts!!

Aside from the cost, I think it will be a test of patience. Suggest you turn that puppy upside down on a raised platform, pull up a comfortable chair, grab a beverage of choice, and take a deep breath before you tackle that job! Good luck...I think you will have a good mower when you are done!

[outdoors4evr]

WOW! I have a belly mounted Mott Flail mower, and only now fully appreciate the knives I have that install with the pin/cotter pin! I cannot imagine try to remove all those nuts/bolts!!

Better start soaking them in PB Blaster now so that they will be ready to cut off and replace by spring!

[Gary S.]

My 6 foot Mott uses those same blades changed them many times over the years,it lets them not only swing back when you hit an object but they can move sideways too. Personally I think the blades wear more on the mounting hole because they do move around more. The nuts are the deformed self locking and yea it's alot of work not to mention you need to use a hammer to tap out that D ring blade holder and do it all over again and align the bolt hole when you go to put them back. The 4 footer on the Cub has the cotter pin mounted ones but one time dad thought it would be nice to convert it over to the other style. Poor thing tried to shake itself to death,even the dealer tried- could never get it balanced right so back to using the pin mount blades.

[Drfting1]

[quote="Gary S."]The nuts are the deformed self locking and yea it's alot of work not to mention you need to use a hammer to tap out that D ring blade holder and do it all over again and align the bolt hole when you go to put them back.

Nuts are self locking?? Wow do I have a project ahead of me...... Can I just cut them off and put regular bolts with lock washers?

[Drfting1]

...... Self locking and rusted, just cracked a beer open and sitting and staring at it now, trying to comprehend the work I'm going to put in it..... I'm up for the challenge but not looking forward to it (yes I am) lol

[Gary S.]

Never had any trouble getting the nuts off just alot of work. Did them all by hand back in the day,now I'd try an air ratchet. I'd just go oem they must have had a reason not to use lock washers. Maybe the bolts would need to be longer and there isn't any room? I'll have to go look myself now

[Drfting1]

.... Ok, just experimented on two bolts, nuts break free with a little effort, the bolts are going to be the issue, there stuck in there, think I'll take all the nuts off then re soak bolts tomorrow.

I'll have cub running this week (praying trans and final drive are ok) then have to do a Virginia run mid next week, when I get back I'll start working on the mower and York rake.... Want to have all that in working order to bring down on my following Virginia run

[Gary S.]

It's been alot of years,40+ since I have had to change any. I think they are a special hardened bolt but they are not at all threaded in. Kind of remember leaving the nut on and applying a hammer,had it there anyway to move the ring clip to release the d ring holding the blades.

[Barnyard]

Judging from what I can see in the latest photo, you have very few remaining blades and those that are there are completely worn out. Time for new ones.

I agree 100% with Don. You will get no where with what you have. However, if you take a tall cup and mix in about 1/3 cup milk and 1-1/2 cups ice cream and drive around with that mower for a while with the cup in your hand, the vibration should give you a great milk shake to enjoy when your done.

[Drfting1]

Judging from what I can see in the latest photo, you have very few remaining blades and those that are there are completely worn out. Time for new ones.

I agree 100% with Don. You will get no where with what you have. However, if you take a tall cup and mix in about 1/3 cup milk and 1-1/2 cups ice cream and drive around with that mower for a while with the cup in your hand, the vibration should give you a great milk shake to enjoy when your done.

LOL! Always wanted one of those.....

[Scrivet]

.... However, if you take a tall cup and mix in about 1/3 cup milk and 1-1/2 cups ice cream and drive around with that mower for a while with the cup in your hand, the vibration should give you a great milk shake to enjoy when your done.

By the time you got it mixed up I don't think you could hit your mouth with your shaking hands and double vision.

[Drfting1]

Flailmaster.com

I was going to finally order the new knives for the flail mower, going to need to bring it down to Virginia. But the company according to it's site is currently closed for a business re-organization.
Going to need all new knifes and some rings. Like I mentioned in previous posts, I'm no expert and need little help here. I found these online, would these be the correct ones I'll need? And has anyone used "the farm store" before? Or any suggestions on where would the best place to get them.
Also how common is it to lose knifes.... Should I get extra? Thanks!