N.I. #254 SER. # 132163 sickle mower

rjmt

New User
the mower sat outside for 15 yr, plus. I hope to load it thurs. & get it to the farm. i don't want to start the power take off to raise the cutter bar. i hope we can load it without a problem..
what should be on the list of where i should start to get it up & running. i love old stuff, not to good with the wrench

thanks in advance
r.
 
First of all tie some baling wire or heavier around the sicklebar before you move is so you dont start off losing a finger.makes sure the whole cutter bar is secured . Sicklebars are awkward to handle with not on the tractor. The sicklebar is probably rusted to the cutterbar ,I know because i need to do this to my stuff that has been sitting out. Use some penetrating oil to get to the blades and the ledger plates and soak them for a while to get them loose. Grease all the zerks and clean out and fix the ones that dont take grease.then gently try to turn the pto shaft by hand or a pipe wrench or bar . You might have to work it back and forth "gently"!!if it doesnt move, you might have to use a torch to heat stuff up but dont get it melting hot. Its always a temptation to overheat it . once things are all workable then you will probably have a pitman and /or a belt or two to replace probably might want to replace all the ledger plates on the bar if they are dull and wore. Might have to replace the sickle sections too .if they are not sharp . Probably have to time it and set the lead which is the angle of the whole cutterbar . When you cut the bar will be pushed back some. This will keep it at the right angle when cutting. Also the tilt of the bar so it will angle into the hay and cut cleanly. The first thing is to find a operators manual which will let you know the proper measurments and lubrication chart,and how to use. Good luck and be safe!
 
If I am not mistaken that mower does not use a belt, if it did it would be easier to just remove it so you could run the PTO as that is the only way that the clutch will work to raise the cutter bar. When you do try to raise the bar with the clutch make sure it is in the flat (cutting) position and not in the vertical (transport) position as the knife has to be able to slide as it is being raised, in transport it cannot do that so something will break. I think that is the model I got a few years ago with the clutch box insides trashed, I had a No. 30 that all those parts are the same with a busted box and I was going to fix the 254 but I just junked it as was not worth the time to fix. I bought the 30 for parts to repair my 40 but have not yet done it. And I saved all parts that would work with the 40. Paid $5 for the 30 and got the 254 thrown in with other machinery. The 40 is a scarce model being it is a semi mount and in my 71 years have seen only 2 others. I still need the lifting lever for my No. 40 as it was cut off before I got it to put a cylinder on. And they were built close to me.
 

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