Ford mower 501 shims, what are they for??????

The 300 guy · May 12, 2013

On the yoke end of the lower frame, there are 3 large 3/4" bolts holding the cutter bar yoke to the frame. There are shims that go between these two parts. What do the shims help adjust? The mower recently bought has 3 bolts wedged between these two parts.

Welding man · May 12, 2013

The bolt holes are slotted to adjust the tilt on the cutter bar and the shims are to center the stroke of the sections between the guards. Cut my first field of hay with 501 mower when I was 16 years old, I am now 63. Those mowers have been around quiet a while.

The 300 guy · May 13, 2013

Thanks! That makes sense. I knew the slots were for the tilt, but forgot about the centering of the cutters. How do you set the tilt of the guards? Level or slightly pointed up?

rustyfarmall · May 13, 2013

(quoted from post at 06:00:50 05/13/13) Thanks! That makes sense. I knew the slots were for the tilt, but forgot about the centering of the cutters. How do you set the tilt of the guards? Level or slightly pointed up?

It depends entirely on what you are cutting, and how close you want to cut. If you are making hay and want to get as much of the crop as possible, you would tilt them more or less level, or maybe even pointed slightly downward. If you are clipping some pasture ground, or mowing down weeds, you might want to tilt it slightly up.

The 300 guy · May 13, 2013

Thanks again!! It will be used mostly for weeds so I will tilt it up slightly as I thought it should be. Just wanted an expert's advice.

Ford mower 501 shims, what are they for??????

The 300 guy

Member

Welding man

Well-known Member

The 300 guy

Member

rustyfarmall

Well-known Member

The 300 guy

Member

Similar threads