Sickle Bar How much tractor needed for JD 350 - 9' sickle mower?

[SPYDERLK]

I run a 7' sickle on our Kub BX1500. To do this, I had to space it back a few inches. Harbor Freights $70 quick hitch was just the ticket. The setup is good for mowing the waters edge of the lake. - - If you can get it to mount you will have no trouble handling the 9' on your heavier, more powerful rig.
larry

 

[Farmwithjunk]

FWJ,

I found some pictures of the JD 350, NH451 and just for good measure an IH 1300.

The JD 350 looks like some of the frame is forward of the 3 point pins. Do you think this would get in the way of the shorter link arms?

Also, the NH 451 has that piece that leans toward the tractor on the left side of the picture. What's that for?

The IH 1300 looks like it's more compact and would easily fit. What's your opinion on that model?

On the #350 Deere, that framework extending between the 3-point draft arms is what triggers the cutter bar to lify as the 3-point hitch is raised.

On the 451 New Holland, that framework attaches to the tractor where your top link attaches. Where you see the piece of wire holding that framework, you install the top link from the extending frame to the main frame of the mower. That frame triggers the cutter bar lift on the 451. I've got one almost identical. Mine was bought new in 1973 or 74. It's cut hundreds....actually THOUSANDS of acres of hay since that time (2 to 4 cuttings per year, averaging 60 to 75 acres per cutting...Maybe as much as 8000 acres worth. WOW. Never really thought about that) I've replaced sections (the individual knives) ledger plates, guards, wear plates, belts, a pto shaft u-joint, main shoe, and a swath board. Parts are still available through New Holland. (Just be prepared. They ain't cheap!)

IH 1300's were popular amongst the IH faithful. They were more expensive that the NH451, which was a BETTER mower, so 1300's aren't very common. The NH451 ran a LOT smoother than the 1300, reason being for my appraisa as it being better. That, and the 451 seemed to hold up better over the long haul. New Holland and Deere have always been at the top of the list on hayin' equipment.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Have used NH451 on tractors as small as 8Ns (Ford), Ford also made a good belt drive 3pt sickle bar mower I can't remember the number. (Blue)

I THINK that was the Ford 515. Having a CRS episode right now.

 

[gf5205]

I THINK that was the Ford 515. Having a CRS episode right now.

I bought a Ford 501 new in 75. It took at lot of work to keep it cutting, but we always had a lot of fine grasses mixed in with the timothy. I haven't used it in about 5 years, and I don't miss it.
Greg

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I bought a Ford 501 new in 75. It took at lot of work to keep it cutting, but we always had a lot of fine grasses mixed in with the timothy. I haven't used it in about 5 years, and I don't miss it.
Greg

Isn't the 501 a pitman arm mower? They're very common around here still.

Throughout my years of farming, I kept promising myself I'd buy a mower/conditioner "next year". Well, I never quite made it to next year. Sickle bars work great so long as you do mucho maintenance and never let them get in anything less than perfect condition.

 

[gf5205]

Isn't the 501 a pitman arm mower? They're very common around here still.

Throughout my years of farming, I kept promising myself I'd buy a mower/conditioner "next year". Well, I never quite made it to next year. Sickle bars work great so long as you do mucho maintenance and never let them get in anything less than perfect condition.

Yes, it's a pitmann. I bought a very used JD1207 sickle MoCo in 94. I changed the knife in 2000 and again in 2006, and never sharpened them. Other than that, a pulley here, a belt there and replace broken teeth on the basket at the end of each season.
It never plugged, even mowing in rain. The only problem I had with it was mowing 7' Reed Canary. It was so long that the pickup would have it in the conditioner rolls before the sickle cut it off. I now bushog that section.
I replaced it this year because the rubber rolls were wearing out.
Greg

 

[dweitzel]

On the #350 Deere, that framework extending between the 3-point draft arms is what triggers the cutter bar to lift as the 3-point hitch is raised.

Farm, what does this framework contact to make the cutter bar lift? Is it the bottom of the 3-point lift arms, or did the Deere's have another bracket/design between the lift arms to contact this "wear plate" closest to the cutter I see? Do you have any idea? Seems like either the chain in the middle OR the "wear plate" would be sufficient to lift/lower the cutter when the 3-point is raise and lowered?

What does the chain in the middle of the 3-point bracket attach to (toplink maybe? ) and what is it's purpose?

I see how squared off the IH 1300 is and it looks real clean and adaptable to ANY 3-point lift arm.

anyone else weigh in on the JD 350?

Dave

 

[Lucky1]

I don't think there is anything more relaxing than mowing with a sickle-bar mower. I don't think there is anything more boring than plowing. Mowing with a sickie-bar mower can be much quicker than some people think, just keep it in ajustment , lubed and sharp, and they will cut a a good speed. Love to cut tall brone grass.

 

[Lucky1]

Farm, what does this framework contact to make the cutter bar lift? Is it the bottom of the 3-point lift arms, or did the Deere's have another bracket/design between the lift arms to contact this "wear plate" closest to the cutter I see? Do you have any idea? Seems like either the chain in the middle OR the "wear plate" would be sufficient to lift/lower the cutter when the 3-point is raise and lowered?

What does the chain in the middle of the 3-point bracket attach to (toplink maybe? ) and what is it's purpose?

I see how squared off the IH 1300 is and it looks real clean and adaptable to ANY 3-point lift arm.

anyone else weigh in on the JD 350?

Dave

Most attach to the drawbar

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Farm, what does this framework contact to make the cutter bar lift? Is it the bottom of the 3-point lift arms, or did the Deere's have another bracket/design between the lift arms to contact this "wear plate" closest to the cutter I see? Do you have any idea? Seems like either the chain in the middle OR the "wear plate" would be sufficient to lift/lower the cutter when the 3-point is raise and lowered?

What does the chain in the middle of the 3-point bracket attach to (toplink maybe? ) and what is it's purpose?

I see how squared off the IH 1300 is and it looks real clean and adaptable to ANY 3-point lift arm.

anyone else weigh in on the JD 350?

Dave

What you're calling a "wear plate" is part of the break-away protection so that the cutter will swing back if it hits anything solid. That plate shouldn't hit the draft arms. Those chains anchor to your drawbar. They initiate the cutter bar's lift when the hitch is raised.