Sickle Bar Rossi Sickle Bar Mower

[Bob_Young]

I need a sickle bar mower for mowing around trees. The local NH dealer recommended a Rossi BF-210. I'd never heard of Rossi equipment and Googled it up. Google had only 3 or 4 references and only one of those was in English. It's a nice compact 3pt. hitch model that's made in Italy. But there doesn't seem to be a lot there for the $2300 the dealer is asking.

Besides the price, I'm wondering about part availability. Teeth and rockguards were almost a consumable item for sickle bar mowers in the past. It would be nice to be able to pick these up at Tractor Supply.

Kind of expected the dealer to pitch the NH451 that I looked into a few years ago. Do they still make that model? Maybe the 451 was simply a rebranded Rossi.

Has anyone had any exposure to the Rossi line of sickle bar mowers?

[HayDR]

The NH451 New is over $4,000. That's why he pitched the Rossi. The Rossi takes the same wear parts as the G&S mowers. On this mower you have sickle sections available from Herschell Adams in the aftermarket but the guards are made of sheet metal and you will find the guards limited to dealers that sell the mowers. We do stock the guards, sections, & rivets. CCM Hay Equipment Wear Parts
You will have to watch using the double action mowers around harwood trees. The extent of cutting ability is 1/2" Green twiggs and branches. Dead hardwood branches hidden in the grass will damage the mower quicker that you can stop the mower. You might want to look at some used single action mowers for mowing around trees. You can purchased a good used Ford 501 mower for $300. These used sickelbar mowers will not work on the smallest CUT's. CCM does make a small single action sicklebar mower for CUT's.

[Bob_Young]

Holy Moly CCI, $4000?!!? Guess that IS why he pitched the Rossi. Thanks for the info. I won't be pushing to get one of those anytime soon.

Mowing will be done primarily around white pine trees, but along the fringes of the set-out areas there's lots of ash. Guess I'll have to hit the fringes with the bush-hog if I go with a double action mower.

Tractor will probably be a new L4300 Kubota that I hope to purchase at the same time. If not that, then an old Ford 2000 (once I get it running) or a Ford 4000 (both 3cyl. models). I think all of these are fairly strong so probably able to handle a single-action mower. Which brings me to my next question:

What's the difference between a single action and a double action mower? The only sickle bar mowers I've used were pull-behind models from the 40's and 50's....all pretty much worn out. Can I assume they were all single action? They seemed to take a fair amount of abuse.

Thanks again for the detailed info on the Rossi and the picture download. Want to make a decision on this in the next couple of weeks.
Bob

[HayDR]

Now you can purchase a good used NH451 for $1,000-2,000. The NH451 is the standard in single action sicklebar mowers.
If it were me I would find a good use single action sicklebar mower and use a bush hog to cut the rougher areas. The tractors you have are fine for what you are doing. If yous want to update you need to look at something around 40 HP so you have to ability to pull a larger bush hog style cutter.

[rambler]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Now you can purchase a good used NH451 for $1,000-2,000. The NH451 is the standard in single action sicklebar mowers.
If it were me I would find a good use single action sicklebar mower and use a bush hog to cut the rougher areas. The tractors you have are fine for what you are doing. If yous want to update you need to look at something around 40 HP so you have to ability to pull a larger bush hog style cutter. )</font>

Good advise. I'd sure buy used for what you want to do.

---&gt;Paul

[sweettractors]

<font color="blue">The Rossi takes the same wear parts as the G&amp;S mowers. </font>

We stock the New original G&amp;S double action and all support parts in the 5-6 and 7 ft lengths. The 5 ft Micro is priced at $2195 and the 7 ft is $2495. The 5 ft Micro is specially designed for all CUT tractors 14-25 HP--The 6 and 7 ft have conventional configurations on the 3 point hitch and work nice on 25 to 70 HP tractors--Ken Sweet


Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *Over 30 Used Sickle Bar Mowers in Stock, NH,MF.Ford,JD*

[ZJ_HR]

John,
May I ask what is special in in NH sickle bar? Why is it best?
Any detailed pic?

We have G&amp;S licensed side mounted mowers over 30 years.
3 pt mounted are rare, and people don't like it, as you can't see it.
Only popular 3pt are double action, as they don't clodge.

[Bob_Young]

CCI: What's the difference between 'double-action' and 'single-action' sickle bar mowers??

ZJ: 3-pt. mounted mowers are unpopular.....why? Didn't follow you.

[Darren]

In a single action like the NH 451, only the bar with the knife sections reciprocates cutting the material against fixed guards. In a double action both the knives and guards move in a scissors action. I've got both a 451 and a Rossi. I haven't used the 451 since I got the Rossi. The Rossi's double action plugs a lot less.

[nomad]

I bought this (single-action) new mower (see picture) which also fits CUTs for $850 which is the half price of double-action mower. As long as you are a small or hobby farmer, you don't need double-action mower. Single action mower will be enough.