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Going to Look at a 501 mower.......help!

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Steve W

03-07-2003 10:55:52




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I am going to look at an old Ford 501 sickle bar mower. It's the pitman type. I used to use an old AC B with a sidemount years ago, but that's my total experience. What shoud I look for?

Thanks
Steve




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DON TX

03-07-2003 21:09:32




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 Re: Going to Look at a 501 mower.......help! in reply to Steve W, 03-07-2003 10:55:52  
Just make sure all the mounting parts are there. Some can be hard to find and/or expensive. I don't have much experience with mine yet. Can't wait to work mine this year.
DON TX



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Hal/WA

03-07-2003 23:04:31




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 Re: Re: Going to Look at a 501 mower.......help! in reply to DON TX, 03-07-2003 21:09:32  
I agree. The clamps that hold the mower frame on the lower lift arms are easy to lose and the mower will not work right without them. I was told that New Holland can still get the castings but they are very expensive. Mine has a not too neat shop made clamp on one side. It works, but I bet the factory clamp works better.

The other thing I would be looking for would be poor welds. The factory welds were pretty good, but lots of "farmer welds" would cause me to think about looking elsewhere, unless the price is real cheap. That machine has been worked hard.

Most everything on the cutter bar is replacable easily, but it can add up quickly if you have to buy lots of new guards. I have found that the ones at New Holland work better than the ones from the farm store.

And a bit of advice: KEEP YOUR FINGERS AWAY FROM THE CUTTER BAR WHEN YOU FOLD IT UP TO THE TRAVEL POSITION. THE SICKLE BAR CAN MOVE DURING THIS OPERATION AND WILL CUT OFF FINGERS IF THEY ARE IN THE WAY. No it didn't happen to me, but I know a guy who nearly lost one that way. Good luck.

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Scott(Ks.)

03-07-2003 17:09:16




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 Re: Going to Look at a 501 mower.......help! in reply to Steve W, 03-07-2003 10:55:52  
The 501 mower is a very compatible machine with an N tractor. I put up 1000's of bale of hay with a 501 mower a 1951 8N and a little Ac round baler. I would mow heavy grass hay in 3'rd gear and wished I had a 3 1/2 gear. Just check for general wear and broken places, extra sickles, pitmans and whoever bought it new has the manual which can be very handy. Don't let any one kid you, this combination will mow with any machine. You really do need the manual! To mount it and set it.

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tw

03-07-2003 14:44:54




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 Re: Going to Look at a 501 mower.......help! in reply to Steve W, 03-07-2003 10:55:52  
A #9 John Deere Mower!



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Jim.UT

03-08-2003 06:34:42




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 Re: Re: Going to Look at a 501 mower.......help! in reply to tw, 03-07-2003 14:44:54  
third party image
I use a JD #9 mower with my 850. I mow alfalfa/grass in 3rd gear. I can do it in 4th, but turning the corner gets a little hairy. Works real good and so far the JD dealer has been able to supply any parts I've needed.

I'm sure the Ford 501 is a good machine also, I just don't have any experience with them. There's a guy in town trying to sell 2 or 3 of them, but he wants $500-$700 each for them. My JD was free!

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