Sickle Bar Sickle bar mower questions

[Farmwithjunk]

As this is my first exposure to a sickle bar mower and I don't have an owners manual, I am at a loss on this one.

If I understood you correctly, the first attachment is the top of the first "bale"
(what is the proper term for that?) to the top link connection point on the tractor. The second is the top link to the second connection point, and the two lift link points. And of course the PTO.

There is the piece on the rear of the unit that is connected to the first "bale" and moves with it. It has a hole on the extreme rear that is apparently a connection point for something. Can you tell me anything about that?
ArchyD

That final part isn't registering with me. Are you speaking of a "hitch" that's located under the drive pulley? If so, that's an attachment point for a hay conditioner. Not real clear on what part you're refering to though. Sounds like you have the basic "hook up" part right so far.

 

[ArchyD]

Thanks so much for the help. I believe that you nailed it.The attachment point for the conditioner. I found the data plate under tons of paint and it is a 450, I haven't gotten the S/N from it yet. I will be working on this one for awhile. Rust, corrosion, stuck parts, all the things you would expect from a piece of old iron. Reminds me of my Cub on first receiving it.
ArchyD

 

[Toolguy]

Noodlearm,

Good luck with your new mower. I mowed a lot of hay with a New Idea trailer type mower with a 7' bar just like yours. It will take very little power. An 8N Ford would run it just fine. One thing I would caution you on is to be careful when lifting the bar up into transport postion. MAKE SURE YOU KEEP YOUR FINGERS OUT OF THE WAY WHEN YOU LIFT THE BAR FROM HORIZONTAL TO VERTICAL! Depending on where the cutter knife stops when you shut it off, it is possible for the knife to fall down as the bar is raised. If your fingers are in between the knives and the knife guards you will lose your fingers or if you are lucky you will only get them pinched badly.

Another thing to look for is to make sure that all of the knife guards are in line with each other. If one or more are bent up it will make the mower cut poorly and will accelerate the wear on the bar and knife. You should be able to move the knife back and forth in the bar by hand with very little effort if every thing is lined up properly. A little oil on the bar once in a while helps to make it run smooth, too. Keep the knives sharp and have fun.

Happy Mowing.

 

[Noodlearm]

Thanks, I have not had a chance to use the mower yet. I got it all set up, or so I thought, and hooked it up to the pto, started the pto and apparantly something wasn't right, now I need to call my BIL over to help me do some welding. I think I have to change a couple of stopper bolts near the gear box. I forgot that they were moved and the sleave had no room to operate. At least I hope that was the problem, otherwise I have no clue.

 

[jimmysisson]

I'll second that. Be very careful when you manually lift the arm, as the blades move relative to the bar and your fingers are no tougher than small brush.
Jim

 

[johnnylight]

old thread 3yrs


Does anyone have pictures?