Flail mower blade comparison?

BobReeves · Oct 8, 2018

I have a John Deere 25A flail mower with the duck foot blades. Been cutting our property for several years with the JD which does OK but it isn't a finish mower cut. The duck foot blades are still in pretty good shape but wondering what the difference in cut would be if I changed the cutter blades.

This is the blade I am thinking of changing to.

This is what is on it now.

Anyone have any direct experience with both types of blades?

1954Frank · Oct 8, 2018

Years ago I had a 4? Mott flail finishing mower under an A-C C. The knives or blades were similar to the ones you are
considering except the upper part of the knife was longer.
They attached to the drum with short clevis pins with cotter
keys instead of a link. Anyway they gave a very nice clean cut. I was really pleased with the results after I replaced them all with new ones.

Calvin Innes · Oct 8, 2018

Switch over you wont be sorry, particularly if you occasionally mow something heavier. The other thing, and I think more importantly, is to sharpen them regularly. None of them cut for beans if not sharp. I always kept a spare set on hand so I didn't have to sharpen in the middle of mowing, I just switched them out. The knives can also be reversed.... there is 2 cutting edges to them. I used those that you are considering to go to on an 8 foot John Deere model 290 which really mowed well.

BobReeves · Oct 8, 2018

Thank you, can get a whole set (72) for about $85.00 from Flailmaster, my hangers are in good shape. Only down side is removing and reinstalling 36 bolts.

37chief · Oct 8, 2018

I use the double blades on my mower. I have seen the single blade, but I am wondering if it leaves a strip, because it may not be wide as the two single blades. Flail master has a good selection of blades, at a good price. I use 96 single blades, and it's a chore to change them. Stan

TomIn · Oct 8, 2018

I also have a 25A mower and use the type of blade that you are currently using.

I think that, under ideal conditions, the blade you are currently using will give the best cut. In the real world, I can't see much difference.

My flail mower mowing is done with a Deere 301A Industrial tractor that has rather wide front tires and wide turf tires in the back. The primary "lawn type" area that I am mowing is a few acres of reclaimed mining ground (pasture ground.) The ground is somewhat uneven and a 7' wide flail mower leaves some tall grass (where there is a depression) and scalped areas (where there are high spots.) Since the mower trails behind two sets of wide tires, the grass in the tire tracks is flattened before the mower passes over and doesn't get evenly trimmed. A couple of days after mowing the grass straightens back up and is taller than surrounding grass. Changing types of blades won't cure these problems.

BobReeves · Oct 8, 2018

I have the same issue with a Ford 3600 AG tractor. The right wheel mashes down the grass then the overhang on the 25A doesn't cut it as short as everything else and it leaves a strip. Will be interesting to see if the Y blades will make any difference.

Gene Davis (Ga.) · Oct 8, 2018

I have a 5' Mott flail mower with the type you are considering and they cut nice and clean. The mower drum needs
to be turning fast enough to whistle so as to give a clean cut. Gene Davis Tennille, Ga.

Flail mower blade comparison?

BobReeves

Member

1954Frank

Member

Calvin Innes

Member

BobReeves

Member

37chief

Well-known Member

TomIn

Member

BobReeves

Member

Gene Davis (Ga.)

Well-known Member

Similar threads