Sickle mower update

SVcummins

Well-known Member
Got the working end of the mower put together I'll need one of the original style guards to go right next to the outer shoe. and then a new ledger plate in the outer shoe still waiting to here from bomgarrs about the outer shoe plate and the knife head guides . if the weather is somewhat decent tomorrow I'll fit the cutter bar to the mower and give it a test run
a258506.jpg

a258507.jpg
 
It won?t fit a double there is only space for a single
without removing the outer shoe so I?ll go get a
couple singles and Then I?ll have a spare single and
a spare double and Mr Arlen sent me some oem
John Deere sections
 
The original had a single knife section guess we will see if it needs the double when I start cutting with it the single section goes clear passed the ledger in the outer shoe
 
if it go's past the ledger plate you should be ok, after I talked with some of the members here about that I checked my case t-10 sickle mower and I had single sections all the way, but the last section just centered on the outside ledger plate. so if your already going by the ledger plate it should work like an outside double section.
 
That's what I was thinking the double is for swathers so it reaches out passed the end of the header or it
mashes hay down
 
I'm new to the mower world so I'm just going off what I can see on the old parts and in the operators manual and parts catalog
 
Now I know what you are saying . Even the old single guard has one side where the bars are cut off so it will fit against the shoe otherwise it holds the groove in the shoe from fitting down tight agin the bar
 
I've been cutting with sickle bar mowers for almost 60 years and can tell you if you get in fine hay especially if its short you'll need the double section.BTW its not really double exactly its
double toothed but just a little bit wider than a regular section.That end section deal is why many people get to really dislike a sickle bar mower they're using a regular section.
And if the hay is just a little damp it really increases the need for a double section.
 
I have hundreds of hours of sickle bar mowing "under my belt" from mowing county roadsides.

Anything and everything you can do to make the machine better will pay off in decreased aggravation
in the field.

My suggestion is to not have the guard bolts extend above the nuts. They'll catch fine stuff.
But if you only mow tall, stalkie hay/weeds/straw it'll be OK.
 
Get that double end section and use it, it will work. And on most mowers the knife has a 3' stroke co to be in time the sectiong center in the guard. Not so on yours, it is made with a 3.5" stroke so sections go a quarter inch past center of guards. Deere was thinking that might take care of the problem they could not take care of as they did not dare to use that double section. It was designed be an aftermarket company and they got the pattent on it and would not let any other company use it. So that is why you will never find anything about it from any body that made the mowers. And I agree the reason so many don't like a bar mower is trying to use orignal single section on the end when they needed the double and either did not know about it or did not believe the facts. And do not try to fit knife to bar before you have bar on mower and pitman installed, it cannot be done and have things work correctly. Put that double section on and when you get the mower together corectly it WILL WORK. If you do not put that double section on you wil be comming back here complaining that the mower does not work by plugging up.
 
I always just cut a double guard into with a chop saw. Use the double sickle section on the end, it will help. I have some new ledger plates for the outer shoe, I think. If not I can get you one and send it to you if need be. I use screws to hold the ledgerplates in. Makes life a WHOLE bunch easier then rivets!!
 
I think you just explained why New Holland always uses 29 sections on their 7 ft long sickle assemblies instead of the standard 28.It doesn't work very well at all using 29.So I just
knock off the last 2 sections then I can rivet the double end section on using 3 holes then saw off what is left sticking out works great then with 27 regular sections and the double
end section.
 
"[b:654c4848f0]<I>I use screws to hold the ledgerplates in. Makes life a WHOLE bunch easier then rivets!!</l>[/b:654c4848f0]"

Agree 100%.
 
A really good place to contact for parts for this style of mower is Rouse Rakes in Burwell, NE. They have GREAT stuff. I got some adjustable hold downs from them where you can adjust the clearance to the sickle sections as they wear. All it takes is two wrenches to adjust. Also they make a grass block for the end shoe that bolts onto the shoe to plug the hole and prevent fine grass from getting in the hole above the sickle and plugging up. You can by the guards, a complete knife assembly for in most cases under $100. You cannot buy the sections and put them in for that. I bought one over a year ago for my IH 100 for $75.00 complete with head and bolted in sections. They have lots of knowledge, help and products. Give them a call and see what they have for you and the prices.
 
Just picked up two knife assemblies with heads for 114.99 from bomgarrs. The rowse site doesn't show any John Deere parts but I have not contacted them. I did contact webb and they have parts but they are the same price as local before shipping . I really like to buy locally when I can
 
Thanks I'd not thought of that for cutting the guard. I did find some screws with a tapered head that fits in the ledger plate just perfect . john Deere still has the outer shoe ledger available but I'm waiting to see if my local store can get them
 
I will go find a double section before hay cutting time thanks for the advice I'm excited to learn from you guys that still run these and know how to make em run right . there is definitely a lot more to these than a modern swather
 
You have done a good job. Just want to reinforce what others have said about using a double section on the outer end. Wish I could find someone who needs some 7' sickles as I have several of them including a couple of NOS. Think I also have some NOS and lots of used guards. Haven't found a way to ship sickles.
 
"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]Haven't found a way to ship sickles.[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

If a 7ft piece of cardboard isn't available, then might try a couple of shorter pieces of cardboard.

Just measured a 20x16 cardboard box by my desk.

Could break it down flat and have 6 ft of coverage.

Height is 29 inches and could fold it.

Probably would need a lot of packing tape.

Let us know if that is "doable".
 
Thanks for the info, James. Our local hardware store keeps their cardboard boxes. They just throw them on a pile in the basement, however, they are under new management and I haven't been in their basement for a while. Maybe later this week will get a chance to look.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top