New Idea Sickle Bar - pitman still jumping off cut bar head

Ed S. · Jun 23, 2009

[i:78e3e5791e](Cross-posted in the 8N and Implement Alley forums)[/i:78e3e5791e]

This is a 7' semi-mount sickle bar converted to mount to the 3pt hitch on my 8N. Been using it four or five seasons, and had to replace the pitman arm during my first cutting of alfalfa this year when several teeth came off the cutter bar. I also replaced the whole cutter bar (faster than trying to beat rivets, something I have no experience in).

Got the first cut finished, but when I hitched up day before yesterday to start my second cut, the pitman is now popping off the ball at the head of the cutter bar as soon as I let out the clutch. (I can feather the clutch in and it will run okay until I let the clutch all the way out).

I disassembled the guide plates at the cut bar head and after drilling out a broken bolt (must have been that way for some time), put it all back together, along with making some other adjustments per the manual.

Pitman is still popping off as soon as I let out the clutch. The bar doesn't seem to be binding up any, but will check it again tomorrow...

Suggestions welcome.

es

bruster · Jun 24, 2009

Hey Ed!
You say you replaced the cutter bar.
Was it new or used? The IH mower we used years ago had a problem like this (dad reminded me)and we found that the ball and the CLASPING end of the pitman were both worn enough to cause popping off of the arm. Found the arm was not grasping the ball completely and bought a new one. worked good till we bought a newer 3 point JD 7'

Ed S. · Jun 24, 2009

The pitman arm (wooden stick) is new, and is the correct length. The cutting bar (with ball on the head) is also brand new. The clasp on the end of the pitman is original, so maybe it is indeed worn out.

I just find it odd that it cut 5 acres of hay a month ago and now it won't stay on.

I'll check it all again when I get home from work. If there are no spots where it's binding, I'll start hunting up a new clasp for the pitman and see if that works.

es

Ed S. · Jun 24, 2009

Just an update that I tried wiring the clasp down this evening, which actually worked for about 50' of mowing before the wire broke... in checking everything over again, I then saw that the clasp has very noticeable wiggle/slop in it, even with the spring clamp in place, so I pulled the whole bar out, ground out the rivets and replaced the head and ball with the one off the old cutter bar.

That's when I discovered that the pack of rivets I bought some time ago is two rivets short of the size I need.

Naturally, this discovery was made too late to go get more tonight...

Stay tuned…

es

Charlie M · Jun 26, 2009

I haven't seen anyone else suggest this - is your new pitman a bit too fat on the end with the part that goes over the ball. It can't clamp any tighter than the wood allows due to thickness.

Ed S. · Jun 26, 2009

Good thought, and I did check that yesterday while I had it apart for the umpteenth time. It's virtually the same. The old head and ball that I pit back on are slightly larger, but it was still jumping off even with that.

Going to tear into it again tomorrow and see what I can see.

es

New Idea Sickle Bar - pitman still jumping off cut bar head

Ed S.

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bruster

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Ed S.

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Ed S.

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Charlie M

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Ed S.

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