no.5 sickle mower. wear plate issue

Anonymous-0 · Aug 23, 2014

my John Deere number 5 sickle mower sickle blade keeps going underneath the small blade at the base. the small blade has 4 rivet holes and I'm wondering if it's a wear plate or a replaceable blade.
the small plate is located right underneath the wear plate next to the pitman arm attachment point.
for some reason the first sickle on the sickle bar keeps going underneath it and cutting the rivets and bending that plate/ blade up.

Bob Collins · Aug 24, 2014

I had that problem a while back, but the whole cutter bar would jam and slip the slip clutch, the plate is available from John Deere but it is expensive, about $45 I think. It has to be fixed if you intend to mow with it. Might be easier to find a used inner shoe complete, new ones are available but also expensive.

James Howell · Aug 24, 2014

Take a look at the diagram below.

Note the guide plate (Key 17), knife head guide shim(s) (Key 18), and wearing plate (Key 19).

One knife head guide shim Z 9593 H is used for mowers made from 1934-1955; two are used for 1955 and up.

Take a look at the photo below of the knife head (Key 15) on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnH8n4KOYoU&list=TL1ZGBSYGWvD1jLed3i-Fz6ko_zFRVKiK9">one of our No. 5 mowers.</a>

Note that it is above the rear knife head guide and below the front knife head guide.

The rivets on the knife head "travel" in the "trough" of the inner shoe as shown in the photo below.

Check the guide plate, knife head guide shim(s), and wearing plate making sure that they are in good working condition.

Also make sure the cutter bar is tight against the inner shoe.

Hope this helps and good luck with your No. 5 mower.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 24, 2014

Thats exactly what mine is doing, diving under that blade and engaging the slip clutch.

If I replace the 45 dollar blade, what will keep the sickle from diving under it?

Anonymous-0 · Aug 24, 2014

When I look at these wear plates, what am I looking for?

How will I know if they need replacing?

Bob Collins · Aug 24, 2014

James, I think his problem is #29 the ledger plate that is riveted to the inner shoe, when it becomes worn enough the inner sickle section jambs underneath it and stops all progress. That plate needs to be sound and tightly riveted to the inner shoe.

James Howell · Aug 24, 2014

I agree with you 100% after looking more closely at the inner shoe.

After reworking at least 3 mowers, I never paid much attention to the ledger plate.

Even had a hard time identifying all four rivets.

Hoping maybe better/new shims will help.

James Howell · Aug 24, 2014

The main thing is to check to see that all the parts mentioned above and displayed in the diagram are actually there.

Since all three or four are installed underneath the rear knife head guard, there should not be much "true" wear on any of them.

The only visible wear could/should be on the leading edge of the rear knife head guard.

Each part should be installed in numerical order of appearance in the diagram.

Make sure each part you check has a John Deere part number stamped on it.

Straighten the ledger plate on the inner shoe and make sure it is firmly secured by the four rivets to the inner shoe.

Rotate the sickle knife to check if the rivets in the first knife section strike the ledger plate.

If you are using only 1 knife head guard shim (Key 18), then you might consider installing a 2nd shim.

If you are using 2 knife head guard shims, then you might consider adding another shim.

Hopefully this will solve the problem.

Just guessing, but knife head guard shims will be less expensive and easier to install than a ledger plate.

Hope this helps.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 25, 2014

That is exactly what is happening. I re-riveted the plate down very tight, but the sickle tooth number 1 went right under it again.

If I replace that plate, what will keep that sickle blade from going under it again?

James Howell · Aug 25, 2014

Take a look at the photo below.

You might consider "adjusting" the first rock guard.

1. Check the edge of the rock guard to make sure it is "flush" with the edge of the inner shoe.

2. Check the ledger plate on the rock guard to make sure it is tight. Check the "gap" between the first sickle section and ledger plate on the rock guard.

3. Loosen the first knife hold down clip.

4. Bend the tip upwards on the rock guard just a little.

This may provide enough clearance between the first sickle section and the ledger plate on the inner shoe.

Hope this helps.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 25, 2014

Very helpful. Thank you very much.

I will try this and let you know

no.5 sickle mower. wear plate issue

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Bob Collins

Well-known Member

James Howell

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Bob Collins

Well-known Member

James Howell

Well-known Member

James Howell

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

James Howell

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Similar threads