jd 350 sickle mower operators manual

How do you set up the 350 mower. When the bar is flat on the ground then the mower frame is about one inch off of the ground and it ball's up the grass under it. What do I adjust for this problem? I do not have a operator's manual. I have a services manual but shows nothing about the set up.

Without any book myself, I would set the three point hitch stop to carry the mower frame so the pto shaft is straight. Next I would let out the linkage to the cutterbar so it just lays flat on the ground but doesn't drag hard on the ground.

I run a 350 all the time...I have my linkage set where the shoe slides freely on the ground. You need to set your hydro control stop there. The other setting are the title angle of the bar but other than that nothing much to say....

which linkage goes to the cutterbar

I had the same problem last week with grass "bunching up" under the frame.

Got out my operators manual yesterday and set up my 350 by the book.

The manual says to start with the mower on "level"
ground.

The bottom of the mower frame should be 8" to 10" off the ground.

I used the take-up links on the 3 point hitch to adjust the height.

Used the 350 today and no more problem with grass "bunching up" under the frame.



The "linkage" to the cutter bar is the top chain that feeds through the large spring.

Following the directions in the operator"s manual, There are 2 empty links at the top of the chain.

The bolt goes in the 3rd link and the spring "hooks" in the 4th link.

Manual states the there should be a maximum of 24 empty links inside the spring on the 350 mower.

I hooked up the bottom of the spring to the 23rd link.

The last empty link bolts to the arm on top of the cutter head shown below.

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/John%20Deere%20Equipment/350%20Mower/?action=view&current=IMG_0033.jpg" target="_blank"> </a>

With this setting the inner shoe "rides" across the ground and the outer shoe "floats" across the ground.

Manual states the outer shoe should require about 25 pounds of lift.

Hope this helps.

James, my mower doesn't have a spring, it has 2 chains on the back. Should I take off one of the chains and put on a spring?
Tks, Mike

The 350 mower was originally designed and equiped with a spring.

I would recommend that you replace the spring to help get your mower operating correctly.

This helps the 'float' of the inner shoe once you get the height adjusted for your frame.

Check with your local Deere dealership to price the spring and also price an operator's manual.

I have learned the 'hard way' with other implements to use the takeup links on the 3 point hitch to mechanically adjust the height.

If you adjust and maintain the height with the hydraulics, you put a 'strain' on the hydraulic system.

Hope this helps.

Thanks James I order a manual Monday.