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Implement Alley Discussion Forum

Need sickle bar mower advice

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Lynn Kasdorf

08-25-2004 08:28:25

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I am thinking I should try to find a sickle bar mower to assist in cutting around my pond, along fences, and along hills/banks that are too steep for the the tractor to ride on.

At the moment, my only working tractor is a Ford 650. I have a '47 JD B that is pretty close to running as well. I need to be able to swap implements easily- I can't dedicate the ford to a sickle cutter.

So- what do you think of the 3 point sickle cutters? I just spoke to a guy with an old one that was to be used with an 8N ford. 3 point mount and belt drive off the PTO. Old and rusty- $100.

I know that a belly mount would be better- not constantly having to look behind. But just how usable are these old ford 3 point cutters?

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JD alco

08-26-2004 10:06:50

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Re: Need sickle bar mower advice in reply to Lynn Kasdorf, 08-25-2004 08:28:25

Get yourself an old Deere #5, or the newer #39. The #5 was the most common partner of your B.
The #5 is a semi-mounted machine. The #39 is 3-point. A sicklebar mower is NOT FOR LAZY or Mechanically Uninclined people. It requires careful operation, proper adjustments, and patience. It does a better, cleaner, and faster job than a bushog in grasses, and is very handy along tree and fence lines. I have used them for decades, both on the farm and in a custom contracting business.

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txblu

08-26-2004 06:13:33

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Re: Need sickle bar mower advice in reply to Lynn Kasdorf, 08-25-2004 08:28:25

I"ve tried twice to use a sickle for such (bought and sold 2 over several year span) and both times it was a flop for one reason or another.

Somebody (Woods, maybe) has a side cutting weed eater style hootus with long life blades that will /should do nicely. Works well on fence lines and anything where you need to yield to an obstruction without upsetting your line of travel.

Mark

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Jim.UT

08-25-2004 20:57:05

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Re: Need sickle bar mower advice in reply to Lynn Kasdorf, 08-25-2004 08:28:25

I use a John Deere #9 three point sickle mower with a Ford 850. It works well, but it's a pitman design so it only mows level.

Here's a link to a Dearborn mower bracket Jerry D was talking about. It's for sale on ebay and yes, I'm the seller.

mower link on ebay

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Rick in Strathmore

08-25-2004 14:25:44

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Re: Need sickle bar mower advice in reply to Lynn Kasdorf, 08-25-2004 08:28:25

If it's at all rough and sloped much, you might be safer getting a big weed whacker, maybe with shoulder strap to ease the load of carrying it. That way you won't tumble the tractor down a slope or slide it into the pond - don't laugh it happens.

Rick

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Jerry D in NC

08-25-2004 10:19:23

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Re: Need sickle bar mower advice in reply to Lynn Kasdorf, 08-25-2004 08:28:25

Lynn, Need to know which mower that was used with the 8N. If you get the older Dearborn that was designed for the 9/2/8N's with the long bar that attaches to the bracket under the fender, you will at least need to get those brackets in the deal but you may want to pass on that mower. The 501 will work on your 650 and probably the JD if you have standard 3pt arms on it. The 501 is the pittman version and has to mow about level. The 515 is the wobble drive that can mow at more of an angle than the pittman style mowers. The 515 would be your preferred mower but a 501 will clip fairly well. Always mow with the cutter bar on the upper side of the tractor if you can. Quite a bit more stable than with it on the downhill side.

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Pete's dream

08-25-2004 10:08:00

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Re: Need sickle bar mower advice in reply to Lynn Kasdorf, 08-25-2004 08:28:25

I recently went thru the same thing. Trying to find a mower for road and ditch cutting. You will need a wobble box type mower. The ones that do not have a pitman arm. I finally found a 3 pt. IH 100 in good condition and am well satisfied. On the 3 pt. without added hydraulics it will raise to around 30 deg. up to 30 deg down and you can easily mow flat with the bar elevated about 1 ft. before it starts to rise on an angle. It can be attached to the 3 pt. in just a few minutes. Any way the ford mower you are lookin at should be just fine IF it is a non pitman mower. Even if it is a pitman mower you can use it to get used to using one and at 100 you will not go wrong. Now if it is a non pitman in workin order grab it quick.

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Bkeepr

08-25-2004 09:44:02

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Re: Need sickle bar mower advice in reply to Lynn Kasdorf, 08-25-2004 08:28:25

I use a Ford 515 3 point sicklebar for hay. After a couple years of practice, I can hook it up to the tractor in about 15 minutes but it used to take me a lot longer than that...probably an hour the first few times.

It is good for flat or gently rolling land. It won't cut down a slope, but will ride along an uphill slope somewhat. So you can reach out 6 or 7 feet or so to the side of the tractor, but that's it. Probably not ideal for what you want.

This problem is the real reason I got my first goats...have some ravines that are just too steep and wide to mow. The goats handle it all just fine, and are great to have around, too.

Tom A

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Chuck in Ks.

08-25-2004 09:01:29

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Re: Need sickle bar mower advice in reply to Lynn Kasdorf, 08-25-2004 08:28:25

Lynn, I use a JD number 5 sickle bar mower to cut 20 acres of brome every year plus weed control. The inner and outer shoes are ajustable up to 3 inches. This will raise the bar high enough to clear most rocks.
Whatever mower you get make sure you can raise the bar to clear rocks and for your slopes get a belt drive, not a pittman stick.
Good luck and be careful.

Chuck

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Tom in TN

08-25-2004 08:44:48

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Re: Need sickle bar mower advice in reply to Lynn Kasdorf, 08-25-2004 08:28:25

Lynn,

I use a Ford 501 sickle bar mower with my Ford 2000 tractor to bale about 20 acres of hay twice a year. It works well, but is very cumbersome to cut around obstructions and to use on some erosion control ditches that traverse my hay field. The sickle bar rides directly on the ground. It is supposed to work properly on a 10 degree displacement from level, however, if the ground is rough or if there are rocks, etc., I believe that you would have constant problems with bent rock guards, broken mower knives, etc.

I wouldn't want to use my mower on anything other than relatively smooth, rock free, relatively obstruction free ground.

Good luck,

Tom in TN

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RickL

08-25-2004 08:43:45

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Re: Need sickle bar mower advice in reply to Lynn Kasdorf, 08-25-2004 08:28:25

Lynn;be careful alot fellows been killed doing what you are talking about. They end up upsetting the old tractors. Sickle mower will let you mow off to side. the other type mowers if you can"t drive in the area you can"t mow simple as that. 3pt brush mowers are way more plug proof also. I n my area they run from $200 on up,depending on size of cut.Rick

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