Used sickle bar mower

mark4Jesus · 05-09-2008, 08:00 PM

I am looking to get a used sickle bar mower to keep the sides of a drainage ditch clean. With a seven foot I will be able to get both sides at the same time. I do not have rear remotes. What do I need to look at when inspecting a used sickle bar mower? (i.e. common problems, breakage points, etc.)

Pooh_Bear · 05-09-2008, 10:52 PM

I noticed you live in Sale Creek. I live in Dunlap.
I have an old Dearborn 14-67(?) with a 6ft bar.
It needs a lot of refurbishing but it's do-able.
It is missing some of the special mounting brackets
but I believe it can be used without them.
Or they could be fabbed up real easy.
I just haven't had much chance to fool with it any.
I'll take $50 (firm) for it. I got that much in it.

Otherwise I'm gonna have to start refurbing it.
Have absolutely no use for one. Just always wanted one.

Pooh Bear

Farmwithjunk · 05-10-2008, 01:59 AM

MOST pitman arm style mowers don't like being used with the cutterbar at anything other than 90 degrees (parallel with level ground)

Look for a mower simular to New Holland 451, Ford 515, MF #41, ect. I'm "old school" (read CHEAP) with my hayin' equipment. I'm STILL using a sicklebar to this day. I've tried 'em all. Best by far is the NH451. (NH450 ALMOST as good, but slightly weaker frame)

With a "wobble drive" (ie NO pitman arm) make sure there isn't much, if ANY slack in the drive. With the slightest movement of the drive pulley, you should get equal movement of the cutter bar.

Sections and gaurds can be replaced if worn. Generally, most used mowers will need new sections, probably new gaurds too. A good indication of over-all use (wear) is the skid shoes on each end of the cutterbar. If they're worn excessively, good chance the mower has a gazillion acres behind it. Not automatically a GIANT RED FLAG, but a sign to look further for signs of extreme wear.

Look for welds (repairs) on the frame itself. When using a sicklebar for hay mowing, often they're used at a much higher speed than the "non-sicklebar mower user" would term "normal". The frames can take a beating. Mis-alignment problems are frequent with mowers that have been bent, broke, and battered.

mark4Jesus · 05-11-2008, 07:14 PM

Pooh Bear,
Send me a PM with your phone number and I'll give you a call. I was going to send you a PM, but can't figure out how yet!

Pooh_Bear · 05-12-2008, 12:12 AM

I think I have PM ability disabled cause I can never remember to check them.

David Swanson 949 8334
poohbear2767@gmail.com

I'm about 1000 feet down river from Canoe The Sequatchie.

Poohs Neighborhood

Pooh Bear

Kyle_in_Tex · 05-12-2008, 06:58 AM

I like my JD 350 but I'd love to try out a NH 451 or even a JD 450.

Mine's a 9' footer and I'm glad I got a 9' over a 7' because I trim around my pond. Works great.

I looked on tractorhouse and everyone seems awfully proud of what they are selling.

CCI · 05-12-2008, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle_in_Tex

I like my JD 350 but I'd love to try out a NH 451 or even a JD 450.

Mine's a 9' footer and I'm glad I got a 9' over a 7' because I trim around my pond. Works great.

I looked on tractorhouse and everyone seems awfully proud of what they are selling.

Nice NH451's are running $2,500-3,500 now. Just remember NH does not make a sickle-bar mower anymore. Rowse basically has an updated version of the NH451. They cost $4,000-5,000 new and they are going up. JD too is out of the single action sickle-bar business. These used single action sickle-bar mowers are going to be increasing in price every year because they are just not available. A sickle bar mower is best used for trimming. The Harvesting of hay will soon be done by drum and disc mowers because they have more capacity. Even new 7' & 9' haybine sales have declined down to where that product might be discontinued in a few years.

Neil L · 05-12-2008, 09:02 PM

I have been very pleased with my IH 1300 7'. All seems to have little wear and tight. I have onl put about 15hr on mine so I may be a weak reference about this machine.

Best, Neil

DMF · 05-13-2008, 04:15 PM

I have a MF sicklebar that I tried to hook up to my 1433 once. I don't have photos and it was a while ago, but I had fit issues with it and never got to use it. Whatever you get see if you can try to mount it first. Just my $.02....

mark4Jesus · 05-13-2008, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMF

I have a MF sicklebar that I tried to hook up to my 1433 once. I don't have photos and it was a while ago, but I had fit issues with it and never got to use it. Whatever you get see if you can try to mount it first. Just my $.02....

What was the fit problem? PTO alignment or 3PH alignment. I hate to get one home only to find she no fit!

05-09-2008, 08:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
mark4Jesus Silver Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sale Creek, TN Posts: 211	Used sickle bar mower I am looking to get a used sickle bar mower to keep the sides of a drainage ditch clean. With a seven foot I will be able to get both sides at the same time. I do not have rear remotes. What do I need to look at when inspecting a used sickle bar mower? (i.e. common problems, breakage points, etc.) __________________ Massey Ferguson 1433v, Bush Hog SQ600

05-09-2008, 10:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
Pooh_Bear Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dunlap TN 25 miles north of Chattanooga Posts: 590	Re: Used sickle bar mower I noticed you live in Sale Creek. I live in Dunlap. I have an old Dearborn 14-67(?) with a 6ft bar. It needs a lot of refurbishing but it's do-able. It is missing some of the special mounting brackets but I believe it can be used without them. Or they could be fabbed up real easy. I just haven't had much chance to fool with it any. I'll take $50 (firm) for it. I got that much in it. Otherwise I'm gonna have to start refurbing it. Have absolutely no use for one. Just always wanted one. Pooh Bear

05-10-2008, 01:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
Farmwithjunk Super Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mt Washington, Kentucky Posts: 5,383	Re: Used sickle bar mower MOST pitman arm style mowers don't like being used with the cutterbar at anything other than 90 degrees (parallel with level ground) Look for a mower simular to New Holland 451, Ford 515, MF #41, ect. I'm "old school" (read CHEAP) with my hayin' equipment. I'm STILL using a sicklebar to this day. I've tried 'em all. Best by far is the NH451. (NH450 ALMOST as good, but slightly weaker frame) With a "wobble drive" (ie NO pitman arm) make sure there isn't much, if ANY slack in the drive. With the slightest movement of the drive pulley, you should get equal movement of the cutter bar. Sections and gaurds can be replaced if worn. Generally, most used mowers will need new sections, probably new gaurds too. A good indication of over-all use (wear) is the skid shoes on each end of the cutterbar. If they're worn excessively, good chance the mower has a gazillion acres behind it. Not automatically a GIANT RED FLAG, but a sign to look further for signs of extreme wear. Look for welds (repairs) on the frame itself. When using a sicklebar for hay mowing, often they're used at a much higher speed than the "non-sicklebar mower user" would term "normal". The frames can take a beating. Mis-alignment problems are frequent with mowers that have been bent, broke, and battered. __________________ There are three kinds of men; 1.) The ones that learn by reading 2.) The few who learn by observation 3.) The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.

05-11-2008, 07:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
mark4Jesus Silver Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sale Creek, TN Posts: 211	Re: Used sickle bar mower Pooh Bear, Send me a PM with your phone number and I'll give you a call. I was going to send you a PM, but can't figure out how yet! __________________ Massey Ferguson 1433v, Bush Hog SQ600

05-12-2008, 12:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
Pooh_Bear Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dunlap TN 25 miles north of Chattanooga Posts: 590	Re: Used sickle bar mower I think I have PM ability disabled cause I can never remember to check them. David Swanson 949 8334 poohbear2767@gmail.com I'm about 1000 feet down river from Canoe The Sequatchie. Poohs Neighborhood Pooh Bear

05-12-2008, 06:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
Kyle_in_Tex Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Giddings, Texas Posts: 1,454	Re: Used sickle bar mower I like my JD 350 but I'd love to try out a NH 451 or even a JD 450. Mine's a 9' footer and I'm glad I got a 9' over a 7' because I trim around my pond. Works great. I looked on tractorhouse and everyone seems awfully proud of what they are selling. __________________ The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.

05-12-2008, 09:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
Neil L Bronze Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 66	Re: Used sickle bar mower I have been very pleased with my IH 1300 7'. All seems to have little wear and tight. I have onl put about 15hr on mine so I may be a weak reference about this machine. Best, Neil

05-13-2008, 04:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
DMF Gold Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Mass Posts: 367	Re: Used sickle bar mower I have a MF sicklebar that I tried to hook up to my 1433 once. I don't have photos and it was a while ago, but I had fit issues with it and never got to use it. Whatever you get see if you can try to mount it first. Just my $.02....

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