Mott finish mower sharpen knives

lenray · Apr 29, 2012

I have a Mott finish mower that I pull behind the 4010 to mow my larger yards.

These knives look like a number -- 7-- or maybe an L---TWO KNIVES ARE SET BACK TO BACK.

How does a guy go about sharpening these?????

Thanks

fordtractor2000 · Apr 29, 2012

if it was me i d check fle-bay and try to find the tool they made for sharpening the knifes, i ve seen one or two over the years

Anonymous-0 · Apr 29, 2012

Most I've seen, you replace, not re-sharpen. Think about it, with a lawnmower blade (normal rotary), you replace a 20-1/2" blade, when you get to 20-1/4" diagonal measurement. As the blade is sharpened, the diagonal measurement decreases, and the overlap of the blade starts to disappear. With the tiny little blades, on a flail mower, which overlap, with each row of blades, being offset by about 1/4-1/2", and the horizontal cutting part of the blade is only about 3/4-1",that means that after the corners wear off 1/4-1/2", it's replacement time.

Gene Davis (Ga.) · Apr 29, 2012

I have used a 60" Mott flail mower for the last 30 years. I sharpen the blades about once every 5 years. It has the type like the back to back "L" you describe. The blades are available from R&R manufacturing in Az.,(they are a big manufacturer/ supplier for golf course equipment)for around 55 cents each, so I just turn them around after about 5 years, run that side and then replace the whole set around 10 years. I did build a jig once to sharpen them on the bench grinder sitting on a table, but was more trouble than it was worth.

MarkB_MI · Apr 29, 2012

Mott made a tools specifically for sharpening flail mower knives, but it's possible to sharpen them with a small angle grinder or die grinder. Hold the blade with a Vise Grip, or completely remove it and put it in a vise.

Mott was bought up by Alamo many years ago. I went on the Alamo site to see if they still make the sharpener. I didn't find it, but I came across a document that said the part number is 702321. You might get one through an Alamo dealer, but even if it's available the price won't be cheap. You might be able to pick one up on eBay.

That said, I don't worry too much about sharpening mine. I have rock blades that are held on with rings, and I lose them often enough that they don't get all that dull. Replacement blades are available from Flailmaster and Montage, but I've found the OEM blades to be heavier and not much more expensive than the aftermarket ones.

john *.?-!.* cub owner · Apr 29, 2012

They did make a sharpener, but they are pretty rare. I sharpen mine with a 4 1/2 inch hand held grinder.wear a heavy leather glove on one hand to hold a pair of blades, and if you have one of the smaller grinders you can use it to sharpen each of the 2 blades then move on to the next pair. The blades are surfaced hardened, so after 2 or 3 sharpenigns you are into the softer metal and they do not hold an edge long. I have found Flailmaster.com to be a good place to deal with. prices are good, and their service is exceptional.

lenray · Apr 29, 2012

Thanks for the help fellas--Is Montague an OEM ???
I think my mower is 7.5 ft.

Up at Clare.

MarkB_MI · Apr 30, 2012

Len, by "OEM" I mean Alamo/Mott. Montage is an aftermarket supplier of flail mower parts. Their stuff is reasonably priced, and I would have scrapped my old Mott F6 years ago without their help. But for the particular knives I use, I've found the Montage knives are made of slightly thinner gauge steel. Check prices with your "local" Alamo dealer before ordering aftermarket knives. (The dealer here in Oakland County is Munn Tractor, not sure if there's one closer to you.) You need to bring one of your old knives in for the dealer to match.

Here's a link to Montage Enterprises
Montage Enterprises

lenray · Apr 30, 2012

Thanks for taking the time to give me some info. much appreciated.

len

Earl Gray · May 1, 2012

With a grinder! Flail-master probably has new knives.

Mott finish mower sharpen knives

lenray

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fordtractor2000

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Anonymous-0

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Gene Davis (Ga.)

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MarkB_MI

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john .?-!. cub owner

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lenray

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MarkB_MI

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lenray

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Earl Gray

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