Flail Mower Questions

Jeff NWOH · Jun 7, 2017

I bought this Alamo flail mower at an auction last year. I'd like to try it on a small lot I mow a few times a year.

It didn't come with a driveshaft, so obviously I need to buy one. Can I assume I do not need a slip clutch since it is belt drive? My assumption would be that the belt would slip if it got jammed up on something. What size shaft would I need for a 7' flail? I was thinking a series 4 shaft. Big enough?

I'm also thinking the offset on this mower will make it a bear to trailer. What kind of a project would it be to move the gearbox to the center? Extending the driveshaft would be my concern. Cutting and rewelding the 3 point mounts looks pretty straightforward.

Thanks for any input.

Rollie NE PA · Jun 7, 2017

I have used both Alamo and John Deere flail mowers and neither had slip clutches. As far as centering the gear box I have no clue.

MarkB_MI · Jun 7, 2017

You should not need a slip clutch. My six foot Mott doesn't have one, and it has never broken a shear pin.

As for moving the gearbox, your best bet would be to replace the shaft and tube. Although it would be prohibitively expensive to do this with original equipment parts, you should be able to get reasonably-priced replacements from Montage Enterprises.

<a href="http://www.montageent.com/ext_shaft_housing.html">http://www.montageent.com/ext_shaft_housing.html</a>

K Effective · Jun 7, 2017

We had a Ford offset, pretty handy for the edge of ditch banks. Our current Deere is centered, works much better in the grape vineyard, but is just a tad too wide to mow quickly. Neither had slip clutches, and the drive lines were not very stout.

The Ford rusted out in the main support tube along the top off the front opening, just below the three point attachments. This allowed the whole thing to flex down on the ends, with catastrophic results. IF you try to center yours, be careful that it stays rigid.

Jeff NWOH · Jun 7, 2017

Thanks for the link. I guess the thought of aftermarket parts never crossed my mind. I had visions of some creative cutting, welding, and machining. Probably be a lot better off to just order a tube and shaft.

My input shaft is splined so a shear bolt isn't really an option. Sounds like not too much to worry about though.

BobReeves · Jun 8, 2017

Where are you located? I know of a frame like yours that is centered sitting in a field with the gear box gone that could be had cheap. Just outside Tulsa OK. It still has the tube and drive shaft. Between it and what you have you could put together what you want.

Jeff NWOH · Jun 8, 2017

Noth west corner of Ohio. Around Toledo.

MarkB_MI · Jun 8, 2017

> My input shaft is splined so a shear bolt isn't really an option.

Come to think of it, so is mine! Which would explain why it hasn't sheared a pin in the 20+ years I've owned it.

Mike M · Jun 8, 2017

No shear pin or slip clutch needed. The belt will snap about the time the tractor stalls out if barbed wire gets wrapped up in one. BTDT ! No damage other than broken belt. Not sure how big of shaft ? but mine looked like most other cat. 1 mowers have.

Flail Mower Questions

Jeff NWOH

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Rollie NE PA

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MarkB_MI

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K Effective

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Jeff NWOH

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BobReeves

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Jeff NWOH

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MarkB_MI

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Mike M

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