Mower advice needed

[ToadHill]

I've been using this sickle bar mower for the last several years to keep my hay fields mowed, about 20 acres worth. A neighbor want to contract with me to plow them up and plant alfalfa on a 5 year lease and I think I'm going to do it since I don't do anything with the hay but let it lay. I'vr meen mowing it to keep the weeds down.

My question is this: I don't want to let this mower set for 5 years so I'm looking to sell it but I have no idea what it's worth. It works well and I haven't had any problems with it.

It's a New Holland, but you all probably can tell that by the colors.

 

[Soundguy]

Will you not be using it to ut the alfalfa.. or will he be doing that?

Do you really want to sell it. or how about just hitching it up yearly and running and lubing it to keep it working, for after that 5yr lease expires.

soundguy

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Model 456 New Holland. (towed version of the 3-point model 451) Excellent mowers. Consider the fact they're fairly hard to come by (in good shape) If you ever have aspirations of mowing with one again, you might wanna hang on to that one.

OR

In this area, a NICE 456 will sell for $750 + (Highest I've ever seen one sell was $1200)

If you decide to keep it, I'd grease everything that'll take grease, then put it on a sheet of plastic (to catch run-off) and pour oil over everything. Keep it under cover (or indoors) if at all possible.

OR

I'll keep it lubed and ready to use for ya!

 

[rbargeron]

About the only part that will deteriorate much in 5 years is the wooden pitman arm. But they are really easy to duplicate (ash or hickory is good). I'd keep that mower - it's replacement cost is high.

BTW, the NH451 doesn't have a pitman arm - it uses a belt driving a linkage derived from the Tschebichev straight-line mechanism to move the knife. Simple and very effective. Makes pitman arms and the JD wobble heads of the time look silly.

 

[ToadHill]

Thanks: My plans are to put the fields into blueberrys after the lease is up and I will mow between rows with a bushhog.

 

[Soundguy]

About the only part that will deteriorate much in 5 years is the wooden pitman arm. But they are really easy to duplicate (ash or hickory is good). I'd keep that mower - it's replacement cost is high.

BTW, the NH451 doesn't have a pitman arm - it uses a belt driving a linkage derived from the Tschebichev straight-line mechanism to move the knife. Simple and very effective. Makes pitman arms and the JD wobble heads of the time look silly.

Don't look to be a wood pittman on that machine.. must be wobble shaft.. etc.

soundguy

 

[Farmwithjunk]

About the only part that will deteriorate much in 5 years is the wooden pitman arm. But they are really easy to duplicate (ash or hickory is good). I'd keep that mower - it's replacement cost is high.

BTW, the NH451 doesn't have a pitman arm - it uses a belt driving a linkage derived from the Tschebichev straight-line mechanism to move the knife. Simple and very effective. Makes pitman arms and the JD wobble heads of the time look silly.

It's not a 451/456.....Upon closer look, it is an earlier model w/pitman arm. I thought I recognized it without expanding the thumbnail photo's. Ooops.

Value is about 2/3rds of what the 456 would be.

 

[Soundguy]

It's not a 451/456.....Upon closer look, it is an earlier model w/pitman arm. I thought I recognized it without expanding the thumbnail photo's. Ooops.

Value is about 2/3rds of what the 456 would be.

Your eyes must be better than mine.. I can't see it.

soundguy

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Your eyes must be better than mine.. I can't see it.

soundguy

Pic #2, just below the frame and behind the round pipe brace.......

Also MORE evident is the lack of wobble box drive and drive belt.

 

[Soundguy]

Pic #2, just below the frame and behind the round pipe brace.......

Also MORE evident is the lack of wobble box drive and drive belt.

guess i should expand those pics next time! and maybee upgrade this 9yr old 14" monitor!!

soundguy