Sickle Bar Seeking the Sickle

[jbonacci152]

I've recently sold my '52 Farmall Cub that I'd had for 12+ years. I now just purchased an '85 Ford 1910 w/FEL as an upgrade. I had a sickle bar mower for the cub and loved it, using it throughout the summer. I see that there are three point hitch sickle bars that'd fit my 1910 nicely but they are awfully expensive new (4k). I also see that there are a fair amount of used 3ph sickles out there for sale. Are there any particular models that I should seek or models that I should stay away from? Which ones would be the best choices for my 1910's 28 PTO hp? What features should I be looking for?

 

[flusher]

I've recently sold my '52 Farmall Cub that I'd had for 12+ years. I now just purchased an '85 Ford 1910 w/FEL as an upgrade. I had a sickle bar mower for the cub and loved it, using it throughout the summer. I see that there are three point hitch sickle bars that'd fit my 1910 nicely but they are awfully expensive new (4k). I also see that there are a fair amount of used 3ph sickles out there for sale. Are there any particular models that I should seek or models that I should stay away from? Which ones would be the best choices for my 1910's 28 PTO hp? What features should I be looking for?

If you get into used sicklebars, you'll need to invest time and $$ to get it working properly. I bought a used 7-ft Massey Ferguson 31 sicklebar at auction two years ago for $550. Had to rebuild the cutting bar 3 times so far and it still isn't working perfectly. The sickle sections (the triangular parts that move) aren't that expensive ($1.25 each and that 7-ft sickle takes 28 sections). The guards/ledger plates (the stationary pointing things bolted to the bar) cost about $6 each and there are 27 of these.



Some folks like sicklebars that have wooden pitmans to drive the sickle. I prefer the belt-driven variety.

28hp is plenty to drive a 7-ft sicklebar through a hayfield.

 

[sweettractors]

I've recently sold my '52 Farmall Cub that I'd had for 12+ years. I now just purchased an '85 Ford 1910 w/FEL as an upgrade. I had a sickle bar mower for the cub and loved it, using it throughout the summer. I see that there are three point hitch sickle bars that'd fit my 1910 nicely but they are awfully expensive new (4k). I also see that there are a fair amount of used 3ph sickles out there for sale. Are there any particular models that I should seek or models that I should stay away from? Which ones would be the best choices for my 1910's 28 PTO hp? What features should I be looking for?

The pitman type will mow at about 35 degrees above and below horizontal and the beltdrives will mow about 90 degrees above horizontal and 70 degrees below horizontal. The pitman type will be less expensive. We have about 20 good used on hand today and would be glad to send you some pics and prices with your email address and zip. Ours is sweet@scrtc.com Ken Sweet