Sickle Mower - Replace with Stub?

Ron-MO

Member
I have an old IH #31 sicle mower I need to do some parts replacment on before this years haying. I have been told that replacing the guards with stub guards is the best money I can spend. Any opinions/experience? Looking like this will involve quite a bit of money and I also need to replace my sickle as both the ones I have are very worn. Or should I just buy some new good quality regular guards, and a new sickle and be done with it?
 
I have mowed a lot of acres in my lifetime, with pitman stick,sickle mowers, and I ALWAYS use quality swather guards, and high quality sickles. I know a lot of guys will tell you that you have to run over serrated sections, but all I have ever mowed with are the under serrated ones, and all I have ever mowed is grass hay.
 
Most of the sickle mowers I've ran (which hasn't been many) have regular guards except the first 3-4 closest to the tractor were changed to the short guards. Was told this is done to prevent plugging if you happen to be a little far left and get some cut hay from the previous pass. From what I've seen, it seems to do the trick.
 
Don't remember where you are in the great state of Misery but if your fields are like mine are you want the rock type guards or you will be working on it all the time replacing sections etc.
 
Former Doniphan Co farmer myself. And like you, I have mowed a few acres of hay with horse and tractor mower. More with horse. Never heard or seen stubb rock guards or whatever they may be, and I have never seen other than under serrated sections. I have sharpened my own sickle, which I bought new in 74 ever since. It is serretted, and the fine teeth can yet be seen on it.

I believe, you can have all the variations available on a sickle mower, BUT, If the sickle is properly sharp, If the rock guards are in proper alignment with the tops pressed right against the sickle slightly, The pitman rod in good shape and tight, and someone who knows how to run a mower, Than you will have no more trouble, and way less expense than one who runs a English Mower as they wqere first called when they first came out, and of the current name of them which escapes me now.
 

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