Cottonwood
New User
Hello,
I'm new to homesteading - bought my land in 2012 when the recession finally caught up to me.
I have a nice 1955 Farmall 400 (with aftermarket 3 pt hitch that allows Cat1 & Cat2), and also picked up a decent condition John Deere No. 8 Sickle Mower for nearly free.
Problems I'm having:
1.) Hyd. Cylinder is missing - I need to properly "size" one to purchase a suitable cylinder. I know the overall max length extended - it should be 27" long from base pin to ram pin. Other than that I'm not sure. [b:85dcfc0698]Any suggestions on how to properly size this cylinder?[/b:85dcfc0698]
2.) There is a large coil spring to assist in lifting up the sickle bar. I've seen some No. 8 Mower photos and videos online with this large coil spring REMOVED from the sickle mower frame (while using a hydraulic lift cylinder); Some videos & photos show it with the coil spring MOUNTED ON the frame - while also running a hydraulic cylinder. [b:85dcfc0698]Is this large coil spring required, or recommended, or would it be better to just remove it?[/b:85dcfc0698]
3.) As you know this John Deere No. 8 also uses the "Quick-Tatch" 2 point attachment system. I've purchased both a 1 3/4" diameter steel shaft as indicated on the following website:
http://www.retiredtractors.com/No5/No5Quiktatch.html
I have also purchased a 2" diameter steel shaft as well to mount it onto my aftermarket 3 point hitch. I will likely be welding some Cat 1 pins onto the end of this solid 2" diameter rod, and extend the PTO to allow for the longer distance from PTO to sickle mower.
Does anybody have any other suggestions / recommendations / advice?
Thank You!
I'm new to homesteading - bought my land in 2012 when the recession finally caught up to me.
I have a nice 1955 Farmall 400 (with aftermarket 3 pt hitch that allows Cat1 & Cat2), and also picked up a decent condition John Deere No. 8 Sickle Mower for nearly free.
Problems I'm having:
1.) Hyd. Cylinder is missing - I need to properly "size" one to purchase a suitable cylinder. I know the overall max length extended - it should be 27" long from base pin to ram pin. Other than that I'm not sure. [b:85dcfc0698]Any suggestions on how to properly size this cylinder?[/b:85dcfc0698]
2.) There is a large coil spring to assist in lifting up the sickle bar. I've seen some No. 8 Mower photos and videos online with this large coil spring REMOVED from the sickle mower frame (while using a hydraulic lift cylinder); Some videos & photos show it with the coil spring MOUNTED ON the frame - while also running a hydraulic cylinder. [b:85dcfc0698]Is this large coil spring required, or recommended, or would it be better to just remove it?[/b:85dcfc0698]
3.) As you know this John Deere No. 8 also uses the "Quick-Tatch" 2 point attachment system. I've purchased both a 1 3/4" diameter steel shaft as indicated on the following website:
http://www.retiredtractors.com/No5/No5Quiktatch.html
I have also purchased a 2" diameter steel shaft as well to mount it onto my aftermarket 3 point hitch. I will likely be welding some Cat 1 pins onto the end of this solid 2" diameter rod, and extend the PTO to allow for the longer distance from PTO to sickle mower.
Does anybody have any other suggestions / recommendations / advice?
Thank You!