Sickle mower needed ...Ford 515 or NH 451?

[Hiptfarms]

I'm looking to buy a sickle mower to use on my Kubota M6800. There are a couple advertised in my area. One is a Ford 515 for $450 and the other is a NH 461 for $1200. The NH looks much newer just looking at the pictures. Both claim they were used last year to cut. The guy who is selling the NH said that new teeth would probably be needed soon. I sure prefer the price of the Ford but I think the NH has more parts available. Am I right on my thinking?

Which would you pick? Should I have any problems with either of these attaching to my Kubota M6800? Anything specifically I should ask of the owners? Also, any tips for a novice on what to check for when going to look at them?

This would be my first sickle mower so any suggestions are appreciated. I plan on using it for cutting some hay on my property- a mix of gamma grass and other native bluestem. I bought a JD 14T baler and a Ford rake last year that I got going so hopefully I can get a cutter and get busy putting up hay for my draft horse. Boy does she like to eat!

Thanks.

 

[powerscol]

NH as you can still get parts and service. Another choice if you can find one is an IH 1300 model. Rowse still makes parts for them and they can service both the NH and IH heads. Hope this helps

 

[flusher]

I'd go with the NH unless you enjoy the challenge of refurbishing a sicklebar (cutter sections, rock guards, hold down clips). Any type of $400 sicklebar is going to have to be extensively serviced, almost rebuilt because of parts wear and alignment issues.

Whatever you buy, get the operator, service and parts manuals so you have the information you need to get the thing running and keep it running.

So far I've rebuilt two sicklebars--a 7-ft Massey Ferguson 31 and a 6-ft Allis Chalmers pull type mower. I paid $550 at auction for the MF31 and put about $200 in new parts to get it working. It's finally mowing pretty well but it was a struggle to get it going properly. The AC mower cost $125 and needs new bearings in the drive mechanism. I'll fix it one of these days.

The MF31 is a bit of a hassle to attach to the 3-pt hitch on my Mahindra 5525 because of the way the pins on the mower are arranged. It takes me a good 20 minutes to get that thing hooked up correctly.



Good luck. And be careful out there--it's easy to cut off a finger with a sicklebar mower.

 

[Hiptfarms]

Thanks for the info. I'm planning on going to check out and probably buy that NH451 in the next couple days. I found out it has a 7' bar. That's what I was wanting.

Do y'all think it would fit in the 8' bed of a pickup or do I need to trailer it back home?

Thanks for the help.

 

[OrangeGuy]

I have a NH 451 mower. I love it. My only problem is I purchased to use with my Kubota L3430, but found out it does not fit. Lower 3pt hitch arms are too narrow where they mount to the tractor. The 6800 shouldn't have this problem (I think). I use it on my AC D14 with a 3pt conversion hitch. Works great! You should have no problem hauling in your pickup (cutter bar folded up).

 

[Hiptfarms]

Thanks Orangeguy. Appreciate the info.

 

[mjcountrybumpkin]

The NH 451 has a unique 3 pt hitch arrangement, if you've never hooked on up see if the seller will show you how to do it. Manual or not personal experience will help

 

[mjcountrybumpkin]

The NH 451 has a unique 3 pt hitch arrangement, if you've never hooked on up see if the seller will show you how to do it. Manual or not personal experience will help

New Holland produced the 451 for a long time. Until 2 years ago or so. Parts are plentiful.

 

[Hiptfarms]

Thanks for the help. I'll report back with the purchase or not. Assuming there aren't any big bends, welds, etc. looks like I'll be buying that mower.

 

[sweettractors]

There are issues with hookup on NH 450 and 451's on Kubota's because of the unique hitch on the mowers. Ken Sweet