Hello, I am new to the forum and have a question about a 501 ford sickle mower I picked up on the cheap. I have rebuilding this mower to use. Doesnt need a lot off parts, just the rust dust off a bit. Question: does the pitman rod pulley have to be timed to the blade arm? I am replacing the wooden arm and have been replacing a few bearings/sharpening blades etc and thought I have read somewhere that the pulley position has to be timed. Did I dream that one up (since I have been so involved in the restoration) or is this something I will need to do? Also, if it needs to be timed can you help me with how to go about the timing?

Thanks

Hey Tom, thanks for offering to share the manual with me. I tried to send you a PM to get you my address but it is showing disabled

Thanks for all of the information. I bought a new pitman bar that is specific for this mower. The measurements were supposed to be same a spec measurements. I am in the process of installing, but when I got it home I couldn't help but continue digging deeper into it to replace and refurb some of the other parts. Also wanting to put a little color on it to fend off some future rust. I will have it back together soon and hopefully ready to use. This one came off a fence row as well. So the years of sitting have it rusted a bit. But I think it is going to work well for me. Thank you all for the information! Some of these pieces of equipment are new to me so I am sure I will be leaning on you guys again!

Here is a link to the pages of the book that deal with knife register.

• 501 mower

Club tractor N has the manual you want to see on their site. I had to reverse the name of the site in order to help you.

Dirt Poor,

If you can get access to I&T Manual for that mower, it will have instructions on how to time the sickle bar. TSC sells them and I imagine most farm stores have them. If you can't get ahold of one, send me your mailing address and I'll mail you a copy of mine.

Tom in TN

As mentioned, you need the sickles to be registered with the guards. A proper pitman length should be right. There are shims to add or subtract near where the bar pivots, on the three bolts, to make minor adjustments.

It’s important, but it should naturally be right nearly all the time.

I got a disc mower 5 years ago, pulled my 501 out this fall for trimming under a fence wire, took a little greasing but it shined up.

Paul

Any sickle bar mower with a pitman arm has to have the pitman the right length or the bar will be out of time and cut poorly. With the bar all the way in the sections should be pretty close to center and with the bar all the way out again be centered in the guards