Mower for hay?????

kentuckydiesel · May 31, 2004

I have been poking around lately for a mower (probably sickle bar, don't think I could afford disk) so I can start haying. I found a JD model 39 sickle bar mower that needs some work. It has all the parts there, just needs a couple places welded. Apparently it was just used last week but the owner is selling his farm. They want $85 for it. Would this do alright to start out with? She said the mower has no hydraulics to lift it vertical, that you have to lift it yourself and hook it upright. Should I look for one that is hydraulic. I realise it hooks to the 3pt but I am talking about the sickle bar itself. Thanks, Phillip

HayDR · May 31, 2004

Call Valley Equipment in Science Hill, KY 606-423-3421 they have a good selection of sicklebar mowers you will not have to work on. We have Ford 501 Ford mowers for $300 but Valley is likely closer to you.

kentuckydiesel · May 31, 2004

Thanks, I may give them a call. I have seen a bunch of stuff for sale, lots in the 300-500 range but for $85 and a little work you can't beat that deal. Is this a decent piece of equipment? Apparently it needs a new pitman bar which they have, just needs to be put on and it needs a few welds. i have no problem with fixing things, it's actially what i do best. Thanks, Phillip

viking · May 31, 2004

Sounds like you have talked yourself into it and your mind is already made up. If you just need someone to give you the thumbs up, I'll do it. Spend the 85 bucks and let us know how it turns out.

sweettractors · May 31, 2004

Be sure to get the pair of stabilizing clamps that attach to your lift arms and the special U-Bolts that hold them on--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *With 2 stores in Central Ky to serve our Customers*

rambler · Jun 1, 2004

( Thanks, I may give them a call. I have seen a bunch of stuff for sale, lots in the 300-500 range but for $85 and a little work you can't beat that deal. Is this a decent piece of equipment? Apparently it needs a new pitman bar which they have, just needs to be put on and it needs a few welds. i have no problem with fixing things, it's actially what i do best. Thanks, Phillip )

"Needs a few welds" - but where? If the big bar is broken, then you are in a world of hurt, very hard to get that lined up & make things align properly on spring steel. A cast to steel connection? Those are really hard to properly weld & hold. A little hairline crack somewhere? No problem.

You are leaving it _kinda_ vague.... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

New sickle often goes a long ways, and new ledger plates/ guards.

As to folding it up, that's how most work. Be _very_ careful of 2 things.

1. NEVER put your fingers in the guards. The sickle _will_ move a bit, down, and WILL cut a finger off. Never never put your hand on the cutting side when lifting the sickle up.

2. Most sickles of this type have a hook & bar that catch each other & keep the sickle in the bar when in transport mode. I have seen more than one with aftermarket parts that do not have the hook or the arm, and when you lift the sickle bar up & start driving, the sickle will fall out of the bottom & drag on the ground - wrecking something. Difficult to explain in words, but watch that the sickle doesn't drop all the way out the bottom when you fold it up....

--->Paul

kentuckydiesel · Jun 1, 2004

It needs a new skid plate welded on the bottom of it and has a weld broken on one of the lower pin deals for the 3pt hitch, no big deal. Even if it is cast, my family has a steel fabrication company, welding is one thing I don't worry about. Cool part is, all the guys that work there are farmers, they know how to work on this stuff. So the fact that it isn't hydraulic won't matter? I knida wanted something that I could lift and go but I can get allong without. Has anyone ever mounted a hyd. cylinder on one of these? Thanks, Phillip

kentuckydiesel · Jun 1, 2004

( Be sure to get the pair of stabilizing clamps that attach to your lift arms and the special U-Bolts that hold them on--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *With 2 stores in Central Ky to serve our Customers* )

Can I get a pic of those, I don't know what you are talking about right off. Thanks, Phillip

kensfarm · Jun 2, 2004

I finally got to try out my NH 450 sickle bar mower this weekend.. it worked great.. but hooking it up was a bugger.. seems to be made for a wider tractor. This one looks like it has been welded in multiple places. It made it nice to be at road level.. and mow up angle on the bank.. or riding on the field.. and mow down angle. My dad keeps threating to take it off my hands to mow around his pond on his farm.