Sickle Bar sickle bar mower question

[mathey]

Can a sickle bar mower be used at any other angle than parallel to the ground? Example, could it be used in the near verticle position to trim back a hedge row?

 

[Hoeman00]

Most won't run any more than 20 or 30* below and 45* above.
The hydro drives might go more toward vertical but i'm not sure.

 

[Mosey]

The real old ones with a pitman arm drive will not go much beyond a few degrees either way. An example of this is a Ford 501.

The ones with a wobble box drive will work at any angle, including 90 degrees up or 90 degrees down, if the bar can go that far down. I have a Ford 515 (mid 1960's), which will run at 90 degrees up (even beyond, it will even run in the transport position, which is about 145 degrees from horizontal) and it will run at about 40 degrees down from horizontal. The drive will allow it to go even further down, but the cutter bar just doesn't go down any farther with the way the lift is set up. Another example is the Ford 505, which is newer than the 515. If you buy a brand new one, I'm pretty sure they are all wobble box type now.

For more info, read Sickle mowers.

 

[HayDR]

Most belt drive unites will mow from 90 degree to -20 degree. The double action SB mowers will mow some hedges but be careful they will not cut 1" branches all day. A single action mower is more suited for triming hedges.

 

[johnsonauto]

The 6' and 7' double acting sickle mowers can cut from 90 deg up and 70 deg down and 45 deg down on the 5' model. Most older sickles are not capable of severe angle except some of the belly mounted hydraulic i've seen.

 

[thefarm]

I have a 1954 NAA Ford with a side mounted sickle bar mower,dealer calls it a belly mower,and this will mow in any position,up right or down in the ditch.High maintence mower.But does work good.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

This would probably do about anything you need. I have plans for one if we make any money off fruit sales this year. Hand topping fruit trees gets old quick!

McConnel Swingtrim Sickle Bar

 

[MarkV]

That is a pretty slick mower. Any idea about the pricing?

MarkV