Sickle on a BX2200?

[Builder]

Anyone have one, or think it's possible? I have to cut about 1 mile of stream bed which also slopes about 4' downward on each side. Covered with tall grass. Can't even get close with MMM. To weedeat both sides takes about 3 days-no fun either. Not a lot of money to play with here. Is there a small (maybe 5') 3PT sickle light/small enough for a BX2200 (like 18 PTO HP)that will cut lower than level height? Would also have to have hydraulic cylinder since bank varies in steepness.
Found this one, but more than I want to spend and seller has no idea of weight or PTO power needed. Guessing 500lbs, might be too much for BX....http://lancaster.craigslist.org/grd/2248210384.html
Open to other suggestions, but nothing for millionaires. Please don't bother suggestions for exotic stuff. Used & under $1,000 would be great.

 

[powerstroke444e]

I built one out of a wheelhorse unit but have not got it finish that could pull with my atv around the pond and I put a small 6hp kohler on it. You could look for a pull behind unit as it don't put any wieght on the tractor and take little to no hp to run.
Some thing like this 251 New Idea Pull Type, Farm Tractor Sickle Bar Mower | eBay

 

[hayraiser]

I have a couple of old sickle mowers 1 drag and 1 3pt both 9' if going slow it doesn't take much hp to run them. They are pretty much gravity down on the sickle part but I can't remember ever having them laying down steep slope seem to remember them going up a slope. Not so sure that a hydraulic cylinder on the mower bar would be necessary as they follow the contours of the ground quite well. I have seen some small 5' mowers like the one on the link you had not sure what one would weigh though? I know my old JD 3pt would be too heavy for my b8200 but am sure it would have the hp to run it.
good luck keep us posted on what you figure out

 

[Builder]

I have to do this job about 10 times/summer. Even summer labor will end up costing $300 each time it's done, so if a sickle can do it, it would be worth it. Not real enjoyable listening to the whining from the labor, either.
I found a lightweight 5' sickle that had hyd lift and runs 40* down and 70* up but it's $3,500 Guess I better consider the cost of some front suitcase weights, too. There's so little money in this work that $3,500 seems more like what I would pay for a tractor, not a mower.

 

[art]

I couldn't really see the drive but most of them are belt drive going to the cutter head and they will mow below level. The cutter bar when adjusted right should raise with lifting the three point, most had a solid linkage or cable to give additional lift to the cutter bar over just the three points lift.

I'd want loader on to offset the weight but for the most part the weight is only behind you not hanging off the side bit for the cutterbar weight. About the shortest cutter bar I've seen is four foot and I'd doubt that would make much difference. Worst case add an extra wheel weight on the left side.

We haven't had anyone that I know of do what you are doing but it might do the job. You might try negotiating with a demo included! If you knew it worked you would be able to justify it easier!

 

[Builder]

Yeah, that's the problem. I don't know if the sickle will follow the undulations and curves of this stream. It's curvy/windy like a snake. Nothin but a PITA to cut.
Even if I get 2/3 of it cut with a small sickle, it cuts the weedeater time down from 3 days to 1 which to me is a big help.

 

[flusher]

Anyone have one, or think it's possible? I have to cut about 1 mile of stream bed which also slopes about 4' downward on each side. Covered with tall grass. Can't even get close with MMM. To weedeat both sides takes about 3 days-no fun either. Not a lot of money to play with here. Is there a small (maybe 5') 3PT sickle light/small enough for a BX2200 (like 18 PTO HP)that will cut lower than level height? Would also have to have hydraulic cylinder since bank varies in steepness.
Found this one, but more than I want to spend and seller has no idea of weight or PTO power needed. Guessing 500lbs, might be too much for BX....Sickle Bar Mower, 5' ft, Harban Mfg.
Open to other suggestions, but nothing for millionaires. Please don't bother suggestions for exotic stuff. Used & under $1,000 would be great.

It doesn't take much pto hp to operate a sicklebar mower, maybe 2-3 hp per foot of mower. Your BX2200 has about 17 pto hp, the same as my first tractor-a 2005 Kubota B7510HST. I ran a 4-ft brush hog mower that weighed about 500 lb with the 7510.

Used sicklebars can be a PITA to set up and get working right. Plan to replace the sickle sections (the moving triangular cutting blades, about $1 each) and maybe the guard/ledger plates (the pointy non-moving things on the sicklebar that protect the sickle sections, about $6 each). You have to tweak the mower to get it to cut cleanly (shim or bend the guards, etc). It's aggrevating to have part of the cutter that's not working right so you leave a trail of uncut material.

The sickle sections usually are riveted to the mower bar. I replaced the rivets with bolts and lock nuts. All of these replacement parts are available at places like Tractor Supply.

 

[sweettractors]

A pitman sickle mower will automatically follow the ups and downs at 35 degrees below horizontal and 35 degrees above horizontal. If you need more than that, you will need a belt drive mower that will mow 90 degrees vertical or 70 degrees below horizontal. Hydraulics are not need for either. 6 ft may work for you, if 6 ft was too much, you could always cut a ft or 2 off the bar. No big deal. Ken Sweet

 

[Tom_H]

I have one stream bank that drops off at about a 40 degree angle. I back the BX2200 up (perpendicular) to it with my 40" Gearmore rough cutter hanging off the back and just drop the 3ph and RC onto the embankment, lift, reposition the tractor, do the next several feet. It's slower than a sickle would be, but it works well for the short section that I have with those conditions.

 

[LD1]

Where exactally are you located.

reason I as is because I came across one today a little east of Columbus OH.

Guy has a bunch of used implements for sale. I had to stop and look.:thumbsup: There was no-one there but there was a sign with his #.

Anyway, he had an older ford mower that was 5' and NON-pitman arm style. I didn't ask too many questions about it as I was more interested in some other things he had, but asking price was $400. If it was a 7' or bigger I probabally would have bought it. It didn't appear to have anything broken or bent, it was just old and a little rusty.

 

[sweettractors]

Where exactally are you located.

reason I as is because I came across one today a little east of Columbus OH.

Guy has a bunch of used implements for sale. I had to stop and look.:thumbsup: There was no-one there but there was a sign with his #.

Anyway, he had an older ford mower that was 5' and NON-pitman arm style. I didn't ask too many questions about it as I was more interested in some other things he had, but asking price was $400. If it was a 7' or bigger I probabally would have bought it. It didn't appear to have anything broken or bent, it was just old and a little rusty.

The oldest Ford mower I can think of is the the 501 and I have never seen a 5 ft. Just 6 and 7 ft? If it s 5 ft Ford 501 with both clamps and no breaks or welds, that is a really good buy. Ken Sweet

 

[Builder]

Ken,

Do you have a small, light sickle with hyd adjust?

 

[LD1]

The oldest Ford mower I can think of is the the 501 and I have never seen a 5 ft. Just 6 and 7 ft? If it s 5 ft Ford 501 with both clamps and no breaks or welds, that is a really good buy. Ken Sweet

It may have been a 6' cutter, I didn't have a tape. I remember looking at the model tag and it was definatally something with a 5 in it, so I just assumed:confused2:

Either way, I know it was not any bigger than a 6. Cause it was parked there with the cutter bar standing up and it was only about as tall as me @ 5'9", give or take. But I know it wasnt a pitman style. I dont know a ton about sickles, but it had NO wooden arm, and the belt off the pto drives a pully on a gearbox down by the cutter bar itself.

The guy had a ton of older stuff. Probabally 5 old 2-bottoms, 3 older 3PH disks (one being like 10' or 12'), several hay rakes and balers, blades, etc.

I just wish it were a little closer to home vs the ~1hr drive, or I probabally would have swung back down there and met the guy.

 

[sweettractors]

Ken,

Do you have a small, light sickle with hyd adjust?

The 5 ft Superior 394 Micro with 5 ft bar does not have a lift cyl as option. Actually, No sickle bar mower needs a hydraulic cylinder unless the user is disabled or handicapped in someway. The cutter bar adjusts the the field/bank conditions automatically. Ken Sweet

 

[sweettractors]

It may have been a 6' cutter, I didn't have a tape. I remember looking at the model tag and it was definatally something with a 5 in it, so I just assumed:confused2:

Either way, I know it was not any bigger than a 6. Cause it was parked there with the cutter bar standing up and it was only about as tall as me @ 5'9", give or take. But I know it wasnt a pitman style. I dont know a ton about sickles, but it had NO wooden arm, and the belt off the pto drives a pully on a gearbox down by the cutter bar itself.

The guy had a ton of older stuff. Probabally 5 old 2-bottoms, 3 older 3PH disks (one being like 10' or 12'), several hay rakes and balers, blades, etc.

I just wish it were a little closer to home vs the ~1hr drive, or I probabally would have swung back down there and met the guy.

The 501 Fords have a distinctive Pipe frame and the A frame is bent like a horse shoe. They can be Red or Blue. Ken Sweet

 

[LD1]

The 501 Fords have a distinctive Pipe frame and the A frame is bent like a horse shoe. They can be Red or Blue. Ken Sweet

Well that was probabally a 501 then. Because it WAS a pipe frame (~2.5-3" diameter pipe???) and curved like a horseshoe. This one was about 50% blue and 50% rust:laughing:

 

[sweettractors]

Well that was probabally a 501 then. Because it WAS a pipe frame (~2.5-3" diameter pipe???) and curved like a horseshoe. This one was about 50% blue and 50% rust:laughing:

I believe you have hit the nail on the head. We sell about 75 of the 501 mowers per year for $895 refurbished. They are a tough machine and easy to get parts for. Ken Sweet

 

[LD1]

I believe you have hit the nail on the head. We sell about 75 of the 501 mowers per year for $895 refurbished. They are a tough machine and easy to get parts for. Ken Sweet

So $400 isnt really a steal if it needs work, but isn't a terrible deal either, just depends on what may or may not need done right?

 

[Builder]

The 5 ft Superior 394 Micro with 5 ft bar does not have a lift cyl as option. Actually, No sickle bar mower needs a hydraulic cylinder unless the user is disabled or handicapped in someway. The cutter bar adjusts the the field/bank conditions automatically. Ken Sweet

Hate to ask, but what's one cost?

Also, anyone have a pic of a (removed) 501?
Are they light enough for a BX?

 

[sweettractors]

Hate to ask, but what's one cost?

Also, anyone have a pic of a (removed) 501?
Are they light enough for a BX?

$2995 on the New Double action Superior 394-Micro. 501 Ford about 500 lbs (but close to the tractor). Ken Sweet