New sickle bar attachment and wiring

PowerTracManiac · 2025-08-17T16:28:45-0400

Just bought a sickle bar attachment for my PT1460. Need to tame the brush coming in from the sides of my driveway. The attachment comes with a 12V electric switch that operates a hydraulic valve that diverts the hydraulic flow from the sickle bar cutter motor to the lifting cylinder. This way you have one set of hoses from the machine to the attachment to control both available functions on the attachment (sickle motor cutting or lifting angle of the sickle arm from the cylinder). Both at the same time is not possible with this configuration. I am going to tap into the tractor 12 volt supply to get power for the switch and run it to the cab so I can switch the hydraulic flow from sickle mode to cylinder mode from the cab. I think I am just going to tap into the front light wire for the 12V power since it is loose right at my dash. I found a wiring diagram online for a 1845 and I will post separately.

ponytug · 2025-08-17T16:37:38-0400

Why not just use the Q/A ports to control the cylinder and add an extra pair of small diameter hoses?

I did that for a 3rd party power broom that wanted to do the same thing. I didn't want an extra switch and 12V out in front, but that might just be me.

All the best,

Peter