NH 488 haybine/other sickle bar machines

SHALER

Member
Have been using this machine for several years now. Am curious as to how many of you guys using sickle bar mowers have a a spare knife around? I see they go for $190 before shipping at Shoup?s. Is this cheap insurance? Would hate to have a knife ?break? if they do, when you are working with a tight weather window.
 
I've had a 488 over 20 years replace the bolt on sections every other year, have never broken a sickle. Replaced the drive chains, the reel belt, and 1 tire. In that time it has been over hundreds of acres of ground. Spare sickle is stuck on the shed wall gathering dust.
 
Back in the day nearly everybody carried at least a couple of spare knife bar assemblies. When bolt on sections got to be wide spread this minimized the need but sometimes guys needed a fresh bar for a field with tough to cut forage. It used to be a status symbol if a farmer could afford to own one near new machine and one pretty good back up machine.
 
I have a couple spares from parts machines. I run a 479 a 488 and a 1091 Heston. I broke one last year. With sharp knives and good guards they don't seem to bother. At that $190 dollar price I'd see if it came with the head.
 
Yep have a spare that came with my NH460. Wish I could find a tire for it but so far I have not found one that will fit unless I want to spend $100 or more for a new one
 
When they were getting dull, I replaced the complete cutter bars and kept the old one as a backup. Didn't have to use them in 5 years, but things have a habit of breaking after 6 and on weekends.
 
I cut 2 sickle bars up a month ago from my haybine. Seemed no one wanted them even for free!
 
if you have to add shipping to that $190 you can probably do as well at the New Holland dealer....
 

I don't know what anyone else does, but I try and keep one knife bar ready to go with all new sections and knife head bushing. Broken bars get welded back together or if too far gone get used for other welding projects.
 
You don't need a spare knife. Keep replacing guards and sections on what you have. If the bar breaks drive to town and get a new one. Every dealer and TSC and Fleet Farm etc has them in stock. Don't order online.
 
I always had at least one on hand so I could quickly change the sickle and keep cutting when the weather was right. Check your machine over it may have an extra sickle on it. IRC they could be slide in the cross tube that rocks to lift the machine. Look in your operators manual.

It only takes a few minutes to change the sickle on a well adjusted machine. I the guards and hold downs are shot then it can take longer.
 
Don't know where you get the idea that they have them in stock. Was in a farm store today and even the sections were marked down for clearance.
 
(quoted from post at 01:52:25 01/16/16) You don't need a spare knife. Keep replacing guards and sections on what you have. If the bar breaks drive to town and get a new one. Every dealer and TSC and Fleet Farm etc has them in stock. Don't order online.

So, at the height of haying season you drive 45-60 miles to a dealer and hope he has a knife in stock, or you go to TSC and find out they don't carry anything like that at all? Maybe things are different where you live, but around here you darn well better have a spare for everything or you can count on being down for 2 weeks.
 
You must have better tsc's in your area. About all the local one here carries is dog food and cheap plastic toys. Tried getting twine from them last year in August, and was told it was put up for the year. Not available.
 
Bought a new 488 in 1991 , and I have never had a spare knife, bolts and sections yes ,but knife no. I live 15 minutes from a NH dealer so if I needed one I could just go and pick it up. They always have them in stock. Here in Canada the last new knife I bought was $290.00.
 
Thanks for all the help everyone, interesting opinions on this. I am a part-time weekend warrior and will get a spare knife. I may be fortunate that there is a consignment yard a few towns over and they probably have a few used ones sitting around that I can get half the price of new, guess I will just have to make sure the bushing is good. I agree with one poster below and have firsthand knowledge that critical things can have an uncanny knack to fail after 5pm and on Sundays??
 
We had a 489 and would keep a spare in pipe on machine also had tool to press rivets and change sections . Then changed to bolt on sections. We also used stub guards to cut better without clogging.
 

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