I have an old IH sickle bar mower. I have never seen a manual and don't know the right name for parts so I'll try to describe my problem and hope someone can cure my ignorance...
I found 5/8" rivets at Tractor Supply that fit great for securing the teeth to the bar. My problem came with attaching the bar to the gear box. The added thickness of the sickle bar the teeth and the arm that attaches the bar to the gear box requires a longer rivet. The 5/8 " rivet is way too short to hold the 3 parts together. I tried steel bolts to replace the 9 rivets that secure the 3 parts together. the only bolts with lock nuts to match i could find locally was 10-24.( I think the opening will accept either 3/16 diameter rivet or maybe 1/4".) 8 of the nine bolts snapped within 30 feet of engaging the cutter. My question is, where can I find rivets over 1", or what bolt will hold up to normal use?
I found 5/8" rivets at Tractor Supply that fit great for securing the teeth to the bar. My problem came with attaching the bar to the gear box. The added thickness of the sickle bar the teeth and the arm that attaches the bar to the gear box requires a longer rivet. The 5/8 " rivet is way too short to hold the 3 parts together. I tried steel bolts to replace the 9 rivets that secure the 3 parts together. the only bolts with lock nuts to match i could find locally was 10-24.( I think the opening will accept either 3/16 diameter rivet or maybe 1/4".) 8 of the nine bolts snapped within 30 feet of engaging the cutter. My question is, where can I find rivets over 1", or what bolt will hold up to normal use?
