Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Attention Forum Users: On the 28th of December 2023 at 9:00am Central Time, we will be taking the forums down for maintenance while we prepare the new forums for your use. Please click here for more information.

Implement Alley Discussion Forum

How do I know if I should replace knives on mower?

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
Tom

01-14-2004 21:51:30




Report to Moderator

I have a Ford 501 sickle bar mower. I use in on about 25 acres of clover/fescue hay twice a year. It is the most cussed machine I have ever owned. It clogs constantly. I've had it for about four years and have never changed the knives. It doesn't work any worse today than it did when I bought it, but maybe it was ready for new knives back then too. The knives are serated, so I don't know if it's possible to sharpen them.

In any case, how do you know when you need to replace knives?

Thanks for any advice.

Tom

[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
Fern(Mi)

01-17-2004 07:24:11




Report to Moderator
 Re: How do I know if I should replace knives on mo in reply to Tom, 01-14-2004 21:51:30  
I don't know the Ford 501. But here's my thoughts.
Gaurds or rock gaurds have been barely mentioned once. If they're worn too deep the blade will tend to float through them the cutting edges missing each other. As for getting the nuts off, get yourself a name brand six point socket.
Have fun.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Farmered

01-16-2004 05:00:38




Report to Moderator
 Re: How do I know if I should replace knives on mo in reply to Tom, 01-14-2004 21:51:30  
Tom, Bottom serated knives can be sharpened, do not sharpen top serated knives. You may have serated ledger plates. You can sharpen them but in doing so you will lose the serations. Best to just replace them. Make sure your hold downs are tight. Just loose enough so the knives move freely. Make sure the knife "registers". At the end of the stroke the knife sections should center in the guards. If some one has replaced the pitman stick the register may be off. Good luck, Ed

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
tinmank

01-15-2004 20:01:39




Report to Moderator
 Re: How do I know if I should replace knives on mo in reply to Tom, 01-14-2004 21:51:30  
Try new ledger plates and hold downs first. Also if the hay is at all damp it will plug up no matter what you do to it.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
John

01-15-2004 15:45:28




Report to Moderator
 Re: How do I know if I should replace knives on mo in reply to Tom, 01-14-2004 21:51:30  
I have the same problem with a NH 451, I replaced everything. I am thinking of getting knives and guards system from www.sidist.com. Did anyone ever get their system? To me it would seem to work better.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Farmered

01-16-2004 05:25:37




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: How do I know if I should replace knives o in reply to John, 01-15-2004 15:45:28  
I was having trouble cutting heavy alfalfa with a few dandy-lions. Wet and sticky in the bottom. Using new self propelled machine with a reel. I put on a complete set of the short guards with the hold down on each guard. The sections extend just beyond the point of the guard. It was raining when I finished putting them on so I figured if it would cut then it would cut anything. I went all the way around a 10 acre field without a plug. I could cut through mouse nests, plastic bags, even a last years bale. Ed

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Jerry D in NC

01-15-2004 09:51:59




Report to Moderator
 Re: How do I know if I should replace knives on mo in reply to Tom, 01-14-2004 21:51:30  
You need to do something because that mower will cut fine. First off do you have the manual for it. Setting it up properly is a very important part of having it cut right. Contact Sickle Service and check on a new cutter bar for it and you may want to go the bolt on knife route. If so the you will need to put new hold downs that are made for the bolts to clear. As one of the other posters stated you absolutely need the double knife at the end or it will clog. Again I would get the manual and get it set up correctly and then start looking at what needs replacing. If you have more specific information about what is not working properly then we may be able to help you more....

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Tom

01-15-2004 09:48:33




Report to Moderator
 Re: How do I know if I should replace knives on mo in reply to Tom, 01-14-2004 21:51:30  
Thanks guys for the advice. I am going to go over the mower again before haying season and check out the things you mentioned.

The worst clogging happens out at the end of the bar. The hay doesn't fall off the bar, it just accumlates there and causes the bar to ride up over the uncut hay. Sometimes it clogs in the middle and at the end of the bar nearest the machine, but the worst of it is at the end.

I have a manual for it and I have tried to adjust the angle of the bar from the machine, the tilt of the bar, and the height of the bar, but nothing has helped. I've probably messed up the adjustments now by trying to change things.

In any case, I'll go over it again and particularly look at the ledger and the bolt heads.

Tom (in Tennessee)

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
JC

01-15-2004 08:40:08




Report to Moderator
 Re: How do I know if I should replace knives on mo in reply to Tom, 01-14-2004 21:51:30  
All comments below are right on the mark. I would add that in my opinion, your mower is a good machine when properly adjusted. I would take the time to replace the ledger plates and buy a new sickle.

Then after you adjust it properly you should be cutting like new. If you are still not satisfied, new ledgers and sickle will help you sell the mower for a few more dollars.

Also, are the bolts that hold the guards sticking up past the nut too high?

If the bolt is too long it will allow hay, especially clover to hitch a ride on your bar and you will clog often.
Massey Harris solved this by reversing the bolts, with the nut on the bottom of the bar. It solves the problem of restricting mown hay from sliding over the bar, but created another of nuts being rounded and worn and no wrench will fit to take the guards off!

Good luck

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Dan

01-15-2004 07:07:52




Report to Moderator
 Re: How do I know if I should replace knives on mo in reply to Tom, 01-14-2004 21:51:30  
To add to the post below, if your knives get to where the ends are pointed they are probably worn out. The ledger plates also make a lot of difference as does the lead and register. Additionally the tilt of the bar, usually adjusted by a lever on the mower will make a difference to keep the guards from digging in. If you don't get a clean job of mowing one cutting it will come back to haunt you the next time around also. Where on the bar is it clogging? I use a "section and an half" on the outer end of the bar that seems to help there. If yo have a book on the mower go through adjustments, lead, register etc.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Nebraska Cowman

01-15-2004 03:00:16




Report to Moderator
 Re: How do I know if I should replace knives on mo in reply to Tom, 01-14-2004 21:51:30  
underserrated knives get sharpened. Overserrrated knives are self sharpening. They need to be sharp! The ledger plates need to have a good crisp edge too and the hold down clips need to be adjusted to hold the knife snug but not binding. Then there is bar-lead and register. Clover is hard to cut because it stays damp even late in the day. I seldom cut any hay in the morning.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
norbert kanzler

01-15-2004 17:39:33




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: How do I know if I should replace knives o in reply to Nebraska Cowman, 01-15-2004 03:00:16  
You do not need to replace the knife unless it is bent. You do need to replace sections and ledger plates when they are worn out. You also need to adjust the knife to the cutter bar. bend guards as needed to get in in line



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
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. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy