Sickle mower question

[jcummins]

On a three point hitch sickle mower, how is the sickle bar raise and lowered? I don't see a hydraulic cylinders on pictures I have looked at.

 

[smstonypoint]

Most (all?) modern sickle bar mowers are (or can be) equipped for hydraulics; e.g., PGF Double-Action Sickle Bar Mower 6ft. Cutting Width, Model# SKM600 | Category 1 Mowers| Northern Tool + Equipment.


Steve

 

[jcummins]

Most (all?) modern sickle bar mowers are (or can be) equipped for hydraulics; e.g., PGF Double-Action Sickle Bar Mower 6ft. Cutting Width, Model# SKM600 | Category 1 Mowers| Northern Tool + Equipment.


Steve

I'm referring to older ones....say a New Holland 451.

 

[Daver1963]

This one has a cylinder.
Northern Tool

 

[hophornbeam]

jcummins, I had a MF 3ph, pitmanless belt drive, 7', it was a manual lift. I suspect most are. By that I mean, you physically lift it to the upright position.

 

[jcummins]

jcummins, I had a MF 3ph, pitmanless belt drive, 7', it was a manual lift. I suspect most are. By that I mean, you physically lift it to the upright position.

Not good, at least for me. I want a sickle mower for mowing pond edges, and on one pond, have several obstacles to get around. Need to lift the bar as I get to them, drop back down, then continue on. To get off the tractor, manually lift the bar, get back on move the tractor 4 feet lets say, then get off, and manually lower it, get back on and continue mowing ..... well given the number of objects I have that will be a royal PITA. Now the $4000+ mowers others have posted here....ain't going to happen.

So,next question how many have added hydraulic cylinders to New Holland 451, John Deere 350, and other types like that?

 

[stowester]

Most are lifted by the 3pt hitch. They usually have a mechanizm with a pivot and spring assists to lift the far end of the bar. The pivot often has a chain that is hitched low on the back of the tractor. When the 3pt is raised this chain pulls on the pivot to lift the bar.

Dean

 

[jcummins]

Most are lifted by the 3pt hitch. They usually have a mechanizm with a pivot and spring assists to lift the far end of the bar. The pivot often has a chain that is hitched low on the back of the tractor. When the 3pt is raised this chain pulls on the pivot to lift the bar.

Dean

Now....an answer I can perhaps live with. How do you make the bar drop below level, like on a pond dam....just keep lowing the 3pt?

 

[Creamer]

When the mower is lowered the sickle bar will slide along the ground and in the case of a NH451 it will probably rotate 45 degrees below horizontal. If you have a mower with a pitman stick you cannot allow this much rotation - maybe only +/- 20 degrees from horizontal. I have a NH 455 and I have mine set so it will go down at least 50 degrees.

 

[High Brook Hills]

Most are lifted by the 3pt hitch. They usually have a mechanizm with a pivot and spring assists to lift the far end of the bar. The pivot often has a chain that is hitched low on the back of the tractor. When the 3pt is raised this chain pulls on the pivot to lift the bar.

Dean

My understanding is that it is very necessary to have the triangular plate for the cutter when you wish to do this. You will also need to set the chain appropriately to allow this action. I have been warned to shut off the PTO, lift, move, lower RPMs, lower mower, turn on PTO and adjust. This also takes time but is a less expensive solution.

That stated, I would always shut off the PTO when lifting the cutter behind your back. One just never knows what could happen.

FWIW, I have done this with my JD 350 and it worked satisfactorily. Especially when you compare my entrance cost to the appliance versus a new one with hydraulic lift.....