Need Help

Fisherman305 · Dec 17, 2003

I have finally found a John Deere 350 sickle bar mower 7ft it is in outstanding shape. Asking price is $1200. Help needed. Is this sickle bar mower too large for my B7800 4wd 30HP kubota? I am unable to locate any information on the mower from John Deere such as wait and recommended HP. All posting will be appreciated. Need to know what you think soon for it will not last. [/list]

Junkman · Dec 17, 2003

Don't know if this will help you, but I have a Haban Sickle Bar mower on my Bolens Garden Tractor that is 54" and the tractor weighs less than 1200 pounds and is a 20 HP Gas job. I think that if you can modify it to fit, it will work... the sickle bar mowers aren't that heavy..... if not, if the price is good, then you can always resell it. I have learned that if you hesitate too long, you can repent in liesure......

RonR · Dec 17, 2003

Ah, finally I have something I know about:

Many Many years ago, I had a JD model M that came with a 7' sickle mower. It was all the tractor could do to run it, especially in grass.

What I did was cut 12" off the end of the sickle bar, and cut the sickle to match. Easy to do with a torch. Remounted the "end pieces". Had to drill a couple of holes as I recall, but that was a nothing.

Ended up with a 6' mower that worked great! If you get a good deal on the 7', try it; worst case you can make a 6'!

Enjoy,
Ron

DUMBDOG · Dec 17, 2003

You do not say if it is a 3 pt or a pull type mower. Two years ago I purchased a old JD11 9 foot mower, it is a pull type. Paid $500 for it. Needed a few guards replaced, a lot of the others are quite worn, should also have a new cutting blade.

I have a NH1630, which is about 24HP at the pto and weighs about 2000 pounds. The tractor handles the mower just fine.

Fisherman305 · Dec 17, 2003

Follow up: Cat 1 three point hitch and weight of tractor with rop is 1740 pounds.

nomad · Dec 17, 2003

Fisherman, you were asking for info on KD101 at Agri-Supply a week ago or two. What happened? Have you got any info on it? If I'm not wrong, this KD101 a 6 ft mower and it has a hydraulic lift (optional) and I guess it looks like this (see picture attached.) This 6 ft mower I own works with 30 HP without any problem. So, I am almost sure that you will have no problem with that JD 7' mower. If you still face any problem, just remove some knive to reduce it to 6 ft. So, I say go for it 7 ft mower - you may buy a bigger tractor in the future, who knows.

nomad · Dec 17, 2003

By the way, I just wanted to show you another sickle mower. (see attachment) - A reproduction. New!!. Really. lol

art · Dec 17, 2003

I think it is to big!!! those were built for the older 30,40 to fifty plus horsepower tractors that weighed a lot more then your tractor.

Deerlope · Dec 17, 2003

Nomad
The last time I used a mower like that the seat was different and it was pull by 2 horses(4 footed type) or one might say 2HP.

nomad · Dec 17, 2003

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Nomad
The last time I used a mower like that the seat was different and it was pull by 2 horses(4 footed type) or one might say 2HP. )</font>

Deerlope, the backs of farmers in this era are more, how you say?, "girly"? than the old days - hence, softer seat;-)

By the way, an interesting thing you mentioned. If this old horse driven sickle bar mower can be pulled by 2 Horses (by 2 HP as you said), why 30 HP is required to pull a tractor driven sickle bar mower with almost same sickle bar length? Here is a contradiction or not? One requires 2 HP and the similar one requires 30 HP!!