Sickle Bar MF 31 sickle bar mower (need wobble crank)

[Sodo]

Got this sickle bar mower today. Seller said "its the leading cause of 3-legged dogs". I can see that. or :loser:
This one is safe for dogs (for now) because the main drive pulley shaft is broken off the wobbler crank.

Does anybody know whats the proper searchable name of this part? I will weld it if I cant find one to buy. I need the sheave too. And the belt #. I ordered a real owners man'l from Amazon, also downloaded a pdf of the man'l from ntractorclub.

Also need the PTO attachment half of the drive shaft.

Everything looks to be in great shape otherwise, looks like the cutter bar was recently rebuilt, has many new cutters and the ones remaining are all good too. If any of you have parts for this sickle (or know who does) please let me know. Any idea how much its worth? I need to use it and ain't selling - just curious.

THX!

 

[flusher]

Agco is the source for MF parts. Maybe you'll find what you need there. PTO shaft--I'd just buy a new one from Tractor Supply and cut it to fit.

I bought my MF31 a few years ago at auction for $550. Put about $200 in new parts into it.

Good luck

 

[Kioti Tom]

I have a MF41 and when you order parts, you will need the serial number and length of the cutter bar.
It can be confusing when using the Parts Manual if you don't have this information.
The owners manual is great for set up, but, You will definitely need the parts manual also. Especially if you need as many parts as you do.

Just helping
Tom

 

[Sodo]

I called around a bit and I think the wobble crank is no longer produced. I would like to find somebody parting one out. Also would be nice to know if a "41" crank will fit.

Tom or Flusher can you measure the diameter of your pulleys? I need to find a small sheave for the wobble crank, but if you measure both pulleys then I can be more sure what I have is same as yours. I'm pretty sure I can get the sheave on eBay but I need to know the size.

My plan, for now (unless a wobble crank shows up) is to cut a 1" shaft off an old Briggs & Stratton, and weld it onto the stub that I have.

 

[flusher]

I called around a bit and I think the wobble crank is no longer produced. I would like to find somebody parting one out. Also would be nice to know if a "41" crank will fit.

Tom or Flusher can you measure the diameter of your pulleys? I need to find a small sheave for the wobble crank, but if you measure both pulleys then I can be more sure what I have is same as yours. I'm pretty sure I can get the sheave on eBay but I need to know the size.

My plan, for now (unless a wobble crank shows up) is to cut a 1" shaft off an old Briggs & Stratton, and weld it onto the stub that I have.

Large pulley is 13" dia, small pulley 9" dia, V-belt is 5/8" wide (outside of belt).



Good luck

 

[Kioti Tom]

Drive pulley p/n 669 982 M1 (large pulley)
v-belt (105") p/n 195 672 M1
small pulley parts:
pulley, inner half p/n 581 064 M2
spacer (3-9/32 x 5 x 3/32) p/n 669 516 M1
pulley, outer half p/n 669 318 M3

These P/N's are out of the MF41 parts manual and should fit the MF31. The Massey dealer could take these numbers and comfirm applicability...
good luck
Tom

P.S. looking at the pictures again, I noticed that the adjustment on the frame is for the widest setting. It will need to be brought in to get rid of the 2 ft gap between the tire and the cutter bar end. The manual will show which holes to readjust it to...
Tom

 

[GreenWannabe]

You can also view the parts book online at Agco Parts Books, here: AGCO AgcoPartsBooks.com

 

[Sodo]

Thx GW I've been digging thru the MF31 parts books on Agco. It's good help.

I'd sure like to know if a MF 41 crank fits the MF 31.

Large pulley is 13" dia, small pulley 9" dia, V-belt is 5/8" wide (outside of belt).

Hey Flusher, thanks very much for the dimensions.
If you can chase that thing down again, can you measure the shaft length from the flange? (ooops see EDIT below) I'm pretty sure I will have to weld a keyed shaft onto the stub, need to know how long it is. KiotiTom, I'd be interested if you find your 41 to be same as Flusher's 31.

*************
EDIT ---- With regard to Barry1's info (below) can you get me the distance from the flange to the belt center?

 

[Barry 1]

The shaft is tapered and keyed,just like a crankshaft on a small engine.The pulley hole is tapered,just like a small engine flywheel.A nut and washer holds it on.

 

[Sodo]

Thanks Barry, that's very good info and not too surprising that its like an engine crankshaft. I don't think I will be able to re-create that.

Hoping to find a used crank & sheave.

 

[flusher]

Thx GW I've been digging thru the MF31 parts books on Agco. It's good help.

I'd sure like to know if a MF 41 crank fits the MF 31.







Hey Flusher, thanks very much for the dimensions.
If you can chase that thing down again, can you measure the shaft length from the flange? (ooops see EDIT below) I'm pretty sure I will have to weld a keyed shaft onto the stub, need to know how long it is. KiotiTom, I'd be interested if you find your 41 to be same as Flusher's 31.

*************
EDIT ---- With regard to Barry1's info (below) can you get me the distance from the flange to the belt center?

Here are a few more photos:



The shaft length from the cast iron housing to the end of the shaft is about 2-3/8 inches. Hope this helps.

 

[Barry 1]

Here are a couple of pictures of the crank out of my MF31. The keyway cracked,and the threads stripped.

 

[Sodo]

Flusher thanks for the dimension. Since I don't think I can re-create the tapered shaft and the nut, maybe rather than shaft length I need the dimension from the flange to the center of the belt. I don't know yet how I can do this, as a standard keyway won't survive bi-directional cyclic loading. Maybe I can weld on a tapered shaft end and the flange from a flywheel. And bolt a sheave to the flange. Anyway it's getting to be a lot more work to use this thing.

Barry your photo shows it all, that a keyway alone is not strong enough for this, it needs the taper (and tight too). Welding a "simple keyway" stub onto the crank can't possibly work, unless I just run it slow and easy, but that's no way to 'fix' an implement. I need to find a replacement crank & sheave (and I suppose you do too?).

 

[flusher]

Flusher thanks for the dimension. Since I don't think I can re-create the tapered shaft and the nut, maybe rather than shaft length I need the dimension from the flange to the center of the belt. I don't know yet how I can do this, as a standard keyway won't survive bi-directional cyclic loading. Maybe I can weld on a tapered shaft end and the flange from a flywheel. And bolt a sheave to the flange. Anyway it's getting to be a lot more work to use this thing.

Barry your photo shows it all, that a keyway alone is not strong enough for this, it needs the taper (and tight too). Welding a "simple keyway" stub onto the crank can't possibly work, unless I just run it slow and easy, but that's no way to 'fix' an implement. I need to find a replacement crank & sheave (and I suppose you do too?).

0.25" + 0.625/2 = 0.56" (flange to center of belt).

 

[Sodo]

Ok belt edge is 1/4" from the flange. thx!!