Is a sickle mower appropriate for....

[woodlandfarms]

So, I found a sickle mower in my ravine. At the end of the day, the blade, its cutting teeth and protectors are pretty far gone. Lots of rust (the tip was buried in the ground so 2 feet of it is toast). Also it has a bend in it, but that may be just natural with these things.

Anyway, I need to mow the side of my road. I have mulled over buying an old 4' or 5' brush hog and putting it on a boom pole setup now with this find I am wondering... It looks like I am into at least $300 to replace the bar and teeth,

So, first question is are sickle mowers capapable of this mowing. I know they were designed for wheat, so if they get into a blackberry bush or a sappling, what is the result?

Second, $300 to replace all the gack and bar..... I see a good used one on craigs list (don't know how good it is to be honest) for $450.

 

[Marveltone]

With good sharp guards and serrated teeth, some woody plants like blackberries and small saplings up to maybe 1/2" diameter shouldn't pose too much of a problem. My hay field has the occasional woody plant trying to gain a foothold and the sickle mower zips right through.

Joe

 

[oliver28472]

Some sickle bars can mow at an angle, up or down if that's what you are asking. If yours has a pitman arm there are limitations on angles. Lots of reading on this site.

 

[Ed of all trades]

The bend in yours is going to have to be fixed as well as the guards and blades. As Oliver said If you are planning to mow a bank up or down from level you will need a belt drive not a pitman arm.

 

[flusher]

Sickle mowers are good for grass and hay. Not so good for brush. And used sickle bar mowers are a PITA to adjust for proper cutting (I have three such mowers none of which cut that well).

DR Power makes a $1000 pto-driven string mower that's attaches to your 3-point hitch that may be just what you need.

DR Power 3-Point Hitch Trimmer Mower: String Trimmer and Fence Mower

Good luck.