Which sickle for a BX2230?

[kkesler]

What about this one? Nobody buy it out from under me if it's ok.

It's a 350. I wonder if the lift arms on the 2230 are long enough.

bushhog an sickle mower an wire

 

[kkesler]

Me again, folks. What about the Ford 501? Is there a list of sickle mowers out there that will work on the SCUTs?

 

[mjarrels]

I use to own a Ford 501 mower... Isn't going to work on a BX tractor.

mark

 

[RobJ]

I don't think any will fit unless they are special made. There just isn't much room on a BX.

 

[RobJ]

Kudzu around a pond. The banks are quite steep.

So do you have to mow every day? Nasty stuff, have you tried to get rid of it?

 

[Gunny]

Have you thought about a pull type sickle bar mower? Most of the 3 point hitch types require a longer lift arm than our Kubotas have and with a pull type you don't have any weight on the lift arms at all.
On mine, I did have to fabricate a set of drawbar stabilizers to keep the drawbar from raising up, but they come in handy for other things too.
One big drawback on the pull type sickles is backing up, especially with the bar down, that can be a nightmare, but other than that they work just as well as a lift type.
Several equipment companies made them but most of what I've seen are either New Holland or New Idea. It takes some serious internet searching but they can be found from $200 - $1000, depending on condition. I found one on E Bay that was close enough for me to go and get it.

 

[kkesler]

So do you have to mow every day? Nasty stuff, have you tried to get rid of it?

I tried once, but it grabbed me and tossed me into the pond.

The banks are quite steep, and fairly long (6ft or more tall), so I'm not sure how to even begin getting rid of it. The water is deep right at the edge, too.

I may look into one of the pull type units, then. Thanks.

 

[kkesler]

I don't think any will fit unless they are special made. There just isn't much room on a BX.

What if I welded up some extensions for the lift arms? Thinking I could make a couple of boxed sections a foot long or so, attach them to the sickle then slide them over the lift arms and bolt them in place. There are some fords out there with 6 ft. blades, and they are calling my name.

 

[milkman]

I have an old JD #5 that I have adapted to the BX2200, had to lengthen the PTO, but that was easy since it is just a square shaft. I haven't used it on any steep hills, just along the right of way and around some fences. With the wheel on the back, it's not a problem to back up and all my mowing is at a slow pace. If I were to use it around the pond bank, I think I would want the sickle on the uphill side.

 

[kkesler]

One I am looking at is a Ford 515. I can't get on my banks, as they are too steep. I need to get the 2 or 3 feet of kudzu coming up over the bank.