John Deere 25a flail mower

[johnnmr]

One of these is coming up on an auction in my area, looks like it was in good shape before sitting outside for last number of years. It's straight, no booger welds etc. Knives are in usable shape. I'm sure it'll take some maintenance to make a running machine out of it.

Other than it might go cheap (...) the reason I'm interested in it is the offset to the right to mow along side obstacles. Seems like a good idea.

Some internet research says the 25a is an outdated design where the knives spin the same direction as the tractor tires so there's no lifting action when cutting vegetation smashed down by the tractor.

In theory, this sounds like a poor idea but is it a valid enough reason to pass on the mower?

I have and will keep using a 6' bush hog for general shredding, this 25a would be used more around the place and along road ditches and weedy patches that don't have much brush.

 

[Ray,IN]

Spinning the same direction as tractor tires are turning is a good thing IMO, it should better catch flattened down grass N weeds and lift them. Now if they spin the opposite direction they cannot catch and lift mashed down grass, as the root ball is the first to "see" the knives..

 

[Wdj]

I have a flail that spins reverse, use one at work spins forward. The reverse one does a more lawn type finish, the other does a bit better in heavier growth maybe only because it's a stouter machine. Like them both.

 

[Fritz Maurer]

The reason it turns forward is for safety reasons. If it spun backwards, it could throw projectiles out the front.... which is why flail choppers have an elaborate swinging guard over the opening.

The forward turning rotor will require more hp in heavy grass, because it throws it back down on the uncut grass , matting it down, and is cut a second time before it is discharged. The shielding in the back prevents the grass to be thrown clear, and forces some of it to be recircuated; the reason being is these mowers are often used in residential areas and stones being thrown from the back must be guarded against.