Sickle Bar Do I really need a drawbar??

[Gordon Gould]

On my First Chouce 7' mower I can lift the blade horizontally with the 3pt height lever to go over a stump or boulder or cut above ground level or I can change the blade angle to cut along a bank with the angle cylinder on the mower. No draw bar required. The mower has a large counter balance spring to keep the weight more evenly distributed on the two link arms and it does not need a chain to hold the light side down when you lift it off the ground. There is also a safty release that lets the whole cutter arm swing back if you hit something.

 

[whirly]

So, if I have this correct, the chain is there on some mowers to counter the weight of the cutting bar keeping the left side down as the bar is raised.

 

[soulasphil]

Now THAT is one heck of a sickle mower. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure it's way out of my price range. I'm looking for a used one that is less than $2K.

I bought mine 3 years ago for 9K€. But it is not exactly what you are looking for, more of a hedge trimmer than a mower. You don't need the long arm and want something stronger.

 

[SPYDERLK]

All good points. Thank you :thumbsup:

However, I won't be towing anything. In addition, the 3PTH was developed BECAUSE ground engagement implements, such as plows and subsoilers, attached to the drawbar caused tractors to flipover backwards. Prior to it's invention by Harry Ferguson in 1929, drawbar implement attachment was the number one cause of agricultural fatalities.

In this case, if needed, the chains are from an attachment (sickle bar mower) mounted on the 3PTH.

Makes me wonder how those drawbars differ from todays fixed/swinging drawbars. They are the safest place to pull from.
larry

 

[whirly]

Makes me wonder how those drawbars differ from todays fixed/swinging drawbars. They are the safest place to pull from.
larry

Drawbars have remained essentially the same since the beginning. Here is a little sketch on why pulling type tractors flip. Flipping is/was/ and still is a danger with any pulling situation.

 

[yelbike]

Drawbars have remained essentially the same since the beginning. Here is a little sketch on why pulling type tractors flip. Flipping is/was/ and still is a danger with any pulling situation.

I'm not sure I understand? Is the furgasson system in current day 3 point hitch? Is there any flipping risk with my jd 2320??

 

[whirly]

The simple answer is ... unless you hook up an antique you should be OK.

Using a 3pth implement for ground engagement (plow, ripper, subsoiler, etc.) is much safer than if you use the drawbar to tow the ground engagement implement on wheels. That being said, there are no ground engagement implements being sold commercially (new) today.

The other part of the question is the drawbar. You can still flip over backwards if whatever you are towing on the drawbar gets hung up to the point the tractor can no longer move forward. Most small tractors (Less than 20 HP) will just stop and maybe kill the engine. However, if you have sufficient power, a short wheel base and insufficient weight in the front (a light engine with no forward ballast) any hangup could induce the a back flip. Forward weight is your friend and the farther forward the friendlier it is.

Just remember, a ROPS may stop you from being crushed, but it won't stop you from being upside down or lord forbid you don't use your seatbelt, getting thrown off and injured. I believe in ROPS and think everyone should have one. The point of my original comment was that the drawbar is or can be more dangerous than many folks realize.

 

[s219]

Drawbars have remained essentially the same since the beginning. Here is a little sketch on why pulling type tractors flip. Flipping is/was/ and still is a danger with any pulling situation.

If the drawbar is located under the axle line, then it will not allow the tractor to flip due to a pulling force (it would be physically impossible due to the moment created -- the harder you pull, the more it will resist a backward flip).

The real danger comes from drawbars, or other pulling points including the three-point hitch, that place the pulling point above the axle. All modern tractors I have seen put the drawbar below the axle for this reason.

The bottom image in that sketch shows the flipping moment created when you have a pulling point above the axle. The top image shows a contraption that alleviates the problem on tractors with pulling points above the axle. If your pulling point is below the axle, none of this is an issue to begin with.

 

[SPYDERLK]

If the drawbar is located under the axle line, then it will not allow the tractor to flip due to a pulling force (it would be physically impossible due to the moment created -- the harder you pull, the more it will resist a backward flip).

The real danger comes from drawbars, or other pulling points including the three-point hitch, that place the pulling point above the axle. All modern tractors I have seen put the drawbar below the axle for this reason.

The bottom image in that sketch shows the flipping moment created when you have a pulling point above the axle. The top image shows a contraption that alleviates the problem on tractors with pulling points above the axle. If your pulling point is below the axle, none of this is an issue to begin with.

Pretty full discussion in below threads:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/buying-pricing-comparisons/146173-why-4-wheel-drive.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/215952-preventing-tractor-back-flip.html

 

[foggy1111]

I'm in the market for a sickle mower but I've read that you need to
attache some chains to the drawbar for it to operate properly. Problem
is ... My tractor doesn't have a drawbar - see attached.

Is there a way I could hook up a sickle mower without the drawbar. I have my fingers crossed :tractor:

Look into a Ford 501 Sickle mower. If you google this....you can see the hook up. I cant see where you would need a drawbar as long as you can secure the 3 point from side sway.