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Implement Alley Discussion Forum

Broken Pitman Arms

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Illinois Farmal

05-19-2007 19:25:33

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I have a IH Model 200 sickle bar mower and I seem to break at least 1 pitman arm every season (approx. 60 acres of hay). I was mowing grass hay the other day when one broke. I checked for any possible binding and found none. Didn't hear any unusual noises before it broke. Luckily I had a spare on hand (learned from past experience). My question is how often do pitman arms break? Just wondering if my breakage is within the norm or if I have a problem somewhere. Thanks!

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plowboy1

05-22-2007 19:05:58

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to Illinois Farmall, 05-19-2007 19:25:33

The wood pitman also acks like a shock absorber and flexs a little, it's better for your bearings. I bought a nice ash board at a wood shop about 8 years ago. Nice an straight(and expensive!) I've made 2 out of it and have enough for maybe 3 more. And oh ya, I oil mine too.

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RayP(MI)

05-22-2007 06:04:50

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to Illinois Farmall, 05-19-2007 19:25:33

Pitmans are designed to break. They are like a fuse in an electrical system, designed to fail before something serious breaks. Make sure that everything on your mower ie topnotch, and keep a copple spare pitmans on hand. Make sure that your pitman is exactly the right length, and installed properly so that the sickel bar is "timed" right. Clogs of grass, stones and branches can destroy pitmans, so careful in the rough territory. Replacing ptiman with a metal bar, or over designed owwd one can lead to serious damage to other components.

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James Howell

05-21-2007 10:28:03

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to Illinois Farmall, 05-19-2007 19:25:33

I have a McCormick-Deering #7 horse drawn mower that came with a stainless steel pitman. I will bet that it is not an aftermarket or NOS pitman for that antique mower.

It will not rust and probably will not break under normal use.

Hope this helps.

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georgeky

05-21-2007 11:12:16

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to James Howell, 05-21-2007 10:28:03

I also bet the PTO shaft from a tractor isn't turning it either.

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Doug in Amarillo

05-21-2007 09:22:45

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to Illinois Farmall, 05-19-2007 19:25:33

Used to cut 150 acres of hay with a sickle mower.Got to breaking pitmans 1and 2 a day.Found that bushings were worn on hinge pins where bar folded up into transport position.Replaced pins and bushings and never broke another pitman.

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135 Fan

05-20-2007 21:09:05

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to Illinois Farmall, 05-19-2007 19:25:33

I don't have a lot of experience with sickle mowers but a farmer I know made pitman arms from old hockey sticks. He says they are a good hard wood and are also laminated for extra strength. Hope this helps. Dave

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Hayfarmer

05-20-2007 19:34:09

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to Illinois Farmall, 05-19-2007 19:25:33

I usually keep a spare on hand also. Sometimes I think the wood is not that good in the new pitman sticks. Sometimes I have torn the ends on them because the bolts holding the end got loose. I would never replace one with a metal pitman, sometimes something has to give and I would rather it was the pitman.

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msb

05-19-2007 20:00:50

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to Illinois Farmall, 05-19-2007 19:25:33

Ledger plates worn out? Sections good and sharp? Grass is very hard on pitman arms if old grass was never baled off good and clean.

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Jossette

05-19-2007 19:44:12

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to Illinois Farmall, 05-19-2007 19:25:33

Maybe a wheel at the end of the bar will solve that too...

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georgeky

05-19-2007 19:47:28

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to Jossette, 05-19-2007 19:44:12

Going to mow kinda high ain't ya.

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Jossette

05-20-2007 06:42:21

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to georgeky, 05-19-2007 19:47:28

when you have pocket gophers and coyote holes, it really isn't high enough. It is set for 5" above the ground so that I do not replace guards or sections..

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georgeky

05-20-2007 08:02:05

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to Jossette, 05-20-2007 06:42:21

I don't have any gophers but do have ground hogs. I have a wheel or two for my mowers but they are for clipping pasture with. When on the mower they won't even do a good even job of mowing hay.

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Jossette

05-19-2007 19:40:03

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to Illinois Farmall, 05-19-2007 19:25:33

need a much harder grained wood that has soaked in oil for a year--and don't go to fast in heavy and wet grass...

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georgeky

05-19-2007 19:39:59

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to Illinois Farmall, 05-19-2007 19:25:33

Check your bar to make sure it is tight. If it can move the least bit it will break pittmans from time to time. They are mounted under the inner shoe, the lock washers are likely gone and needs new ones. Also it could be out of time.

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bgoathill

05-19-2007 19:39:51

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to Illinois Farmall, 05-19-2007 19:25:33

I used to break one every year when I was buying them from the farm supply stores. Then I got a genuine one from the John Deere dealer 3 or 4 years ago and it's still going strong. It also isn't good if you leave them sit outside all year.

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Tom in TN

05-19-2007 19:39:46

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to Illinois Farmall, 05-19-2007 19:25:33

Illiois,

I have a Ford 501 sickle bar mower. I cut 20 acres of hay, three times a year. I've been on this place for eight years now. It's hilly, bumpy, and crooked. I broke one pitman arm about six or seven years ago when I let the end of the sickle run into the dirt of a side-hill. Other than that, I've never broken one.

Tom in TN

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john hajek

05-19-2007 19:39:09

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to Illinois Farmall, 05-19-2007 19:25:33

R P M to high. Pitmans last for years.

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old

05-19-2007 19:38:42

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to Illinois Farmall, 05-19-2007 19:25:33

Can't say for sure on that mower but I know most of the ones I have owned over the years a pitman would last 2-5 years if not more. But a lot also depends on the hay and what all you may hit when cutting. Most of the time when one broke for me it was because I hit something like a rock etc with the pitman its self

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Jim Broughton

05-19-2007 19:37:57

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to Illinois Farmall, 05-19-2007 19:25:33

I've only broken one since I've had my tractor, replaced it with a steel tubular unit, simply put the original arms (bolted) with lock nuts on the steel one and it has never broken !! Best of luck to you. Jim B.

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old

05-19-2007 19:41:19

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to Jim Broughton, 05-19-2007 19:37:57

Replaceing a pitman with steel is looking for trouble big time. BTDT and it cost me a mower at one time because the pitman is the weak link in the system and if it doesn't brake it can cause big problems. I know I ended up with a scrap iron sickle mower because of a steel pit man

Hobby farm

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georgeky

05-19-2007 21:37:49

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to old, 05-19-2007 19:41:19

That was my opinion too. I have seen a couple of them ruined with pitmans made from water pipe.

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old

05-19-2007 21:43:52

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to georgeky, 05-19-2007 21:37:49

Yep bearing all over the place. Broken guards/sections. And all sorts of other problems. If it came with wood it needs to be wood. Some how you can't improve on what they did years ago with out paying for it in the long run

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georgeky

05-19-2007 21:55:36

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to old, 05-19-2007 21:43:52

Ain't that the truth. All this modern technology don't seem to last like the old stuff does. I got tired of spending money on disc mowers and went right back to my cycle mowers. I ain't in that big a hurry anyhow. Since the boy's have been out of school they cut most of the hay anyhow. Now I am on this computer way to much. But unlike some I really enjoy everyones opinions and experiances.

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old

05-19-2007 22:06:52

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to georgeky, 05-19-2007 21:55:36

My self I use a MOCO NH460 years old but works well I have a sickle mower as a back up just in case but been likely so far. I even still use a 1935 JD-B at times to rake the hay just to get the old girl out and work it some. But I'm not luckly to have any body to help with the hay I do it all my self, a little at a time but it does get done

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georgeky

05-19-2007 22:19:21

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Re: Broken Pitman Arms in reply to old, 05-19-2007 22:06:52

I also have JD moco, but hate to admit it. I don't suspect my help will hold out to long. One started a new job last week. The other don't want to do much anything if he can keep from it. I have cut way back in the last couple of years anyhow and like it. I gave up most of my rented land and trying to stay closer to home and maybe take in a few tractor shows. I still use all my old tractors that will run. Not as old as yours my oldest is a 49 C. It mows and rakes a lot of hay every year along with a 1953 Super C. People make fun of them all the time, but I have seen lots of them loose their new shiney stuff from all those big payments. I bought a new one in 94, but won't buy another. I like fooling with the old ones a lot better.

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