bolts vs rivets in sickle bars

Charlie M

Well-known Member
Years ago I started using bolts made to replace rivets on any sickle bar that I put new knives onto. Seemed like the greatest thing since sliced bread at the time. Over the years it seems like I have lost a lot more knives since going to bolts. When I got done cutting today I noticed the nut was off one bolt. Just wondering what everyone else experience has been using bolts.
 
charlie,

My experience with the bolts has been fine. I haven't lost an inordinate number of section knives.

The only problem I've had is that the end of the blade nearest the frame of the machine, has a substantial, solid, hold down bracket (I hesitate to say clip) that makes is necessary for me to use rivets on the first couple of section knives. Maybe it's just my particular machine.

Tom
 
I switch to bolts ASAP and never had a problem at all. Rivets are OK if ya take the sickle bar out, but trying to fool with those danged things whilst layin on yor back is a royal PITA!
 
I switch all my sickle mower to bolts. Only trouble I have ever had was the heads of them tend to get to a point you can not use a screw driver to hold them and you then have to cut the nut to put on a new section. So far never lost any sections but I do check them to be sure the nuts are tight and tighten if loose
 
May not be tight enough initially or the bolt is not fully seated in the strap (knife back) initially and the bolt/nut loosen.
 
The bolts are the 'greatest thing since sliced bread'!However they MUST be fully seated to hold(same as a rivet).I would'nt go back to rivets if you paid me!:)
 
I haven't had any issues like that. If I take the bar out, I'll pound in new bolts over the vise or an anvil. In the machine we got the little tool for pressing in the bolts. Either way, never had one where the nuts came loose.

Donovan from Wisconsin
 
(quoted from post at 16:04:11 07/17/14) The bolts are the 'greatest thing since sliced bread'!However they MUST be fully seated to hold(same as a rivet).I would'nt go back to rivets if you paid me!:)
agree 100%.
I been using bolts for 20 odd years. I never had one coming loose or break..I have cut over 7000 acres with my double knife bine and never replaced the knife bars yet.

When i replace a section I reuse the bolts if still good but use new nuts as they tend become rounded over time.
I use a stubby wide blade screw driver to hold the bolts if needed.
 
I had to put higher hold down clips on mine when I went to bolts. Bolts are easier than rivets to work with, no doubt. I have broken a few installing them and in the field in operation. But then I eat a bunch of mole hills with stones in them. End up replacing a lot of knives and guards. Convenience of bolts is that often you can replace a knife without removing whole knife assembly. But overall, I think they are not as strong as rivets -easier to replace by far.

I went to a DRUM MOWER, and not looking back.
 
I use the bolts and to quote my nine year old nephew A nut misappears every once in a while. Beats the heck out of those rivits. And I was pretty good at swapping them out.
 
You don't need to go to high hold downs or rivets by the head. Just put the bolt in from the top! I know everyone puts the nuts on top, but I've done it both ways and see zero difference in lifespan or breakage. As long as the bolt or nut clears the hold downs or guards I can't see any difference which way they go.
 
We went to bolts years ago, grandpa wouldn't do it until I bought the parts and just did it. He thought it was the best thing ever then.....he was mad I hadn't done it earlier......I reminded him of YEARS of telling him to do it.....

THEN.....we REALLY made life better. Bought a NH 1411 Discbine......bye bye 489 NH haybine.....wow. You wanna talk about mowing hay....that is how to do it!!!
 
OK then...

I guess it's official.

I'm the last guy in the universe using rivets...


No reason, I've just never made the leap. Perhaps it's time.
 
You're not alone.

Replace a knife section last week with rivets.

a163294.jpg" width="650"


 
When you start to tighten the nut, hammer the bolt home so it fully sets in the bar, then retighten. Do that and you shouldn't have loose nuts. I would never even contemplate using rivets. No way, no how, never.

Rod
 
(quoted from post at 19:46:12 07/18/14) You're not alone.

Replace a knife section last week with rivets.

<img src="http://photos.yesterdaystractors.com/gallery/uptest/a163294.jpg" width="650" />

Awful lot of work to go to when a nut and bolt would take you half the time or less, not require taking the guard off, etc. Plus, it's lots easier to do rivets on a sickle bar than on a haybine.
 
I second that, cut the hay for years off an interstate near us with a 9 deere mower. after every broke off bound pin, fence post, mole/chuck hill you'd get an ear for the slight clatter sound of a loose rivet then shut down quick or maybe lose more!! Must have rebuilt that mower front to back twice, switched to bolts in the Knife and was much improved just from down time, so much quicker, and peened just a tad after seating in and tightening the nut up good. Finally got a drum mower, for sale sign went on that mower and gone in a day. As for the time and expense of the mower , we all have our addictions mine is old and green
 

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