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Another sickle bar mower question (hopefully the last one!)

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Mosey

03-18-2002 09:35:57




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In a previous post, someone stated that sickle bar mowers "need to be run at a fairly fast ground speed to do their job". Is that true? If so why? I was hoping to be able to go slowly when mowing the ditch by the road so I can watch out for trash.




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Matthew

03-19-2002 16:09:05




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 Re: Another sickle bar mower question (hopefully the last one!) in reply to Mosey, 03-18-2002 09:35:57  
Do not exceed 540 pto RPM. No matter what gear you run in don't run your tractor wide open. If you do you will be running your mower to fast. Bad things can happen. broken sickles, bearing failure; ect.
Good luck,
Matthew



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Steven@nd

03-19-2002 12:04:29




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 Re: Another sickle bar mower question (hopefully the last one!) in reply to Mosey, 03-18-2002 09:35:57  
The faster speed is generally helpful so that the grass will tip behind the mower bar instead of in front of it. I can mow just the same in 1st gear through 4th gear with my 544. It only takes a couple of passes to get the hang of it.

NOTE: most mowers are designed to be run at PTO speed (540rpm) slowing the tractor engine speed is NOT recommended, it will have the same results as lugging an engine for long periods.

Steven

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David

03-18-2002 13:06:02




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 Re: Another sickle bar mower question (hopefully the last one!) in reply to Mosey, 03-18-2002 09:35:57  
I agree with Festus but would like to add that engine RPM needs to be adjust also depending on the ground speed for best cutting. After you cut an acre or so you will get the hang of RPM/speed need for a good cut. You will also have to 'play' with the setting to find what works best.



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Jim.UT

03-18-2002 11:04:48




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 Re: Another sickle bar mower question (hopefully the last one!) in reply to Mosey, 03-18-2002 09:35:57  
Agree with Festus. I use a JD #9 mower on a Ford 800 tractor. When cutting hay I go fairly slow on the first pass. My first pass is counter-clockwise along the fence. I've put the end of the mower into the fence before and that's no fun. Then I turn around and do the rest of the field clockwise (driving on the cut hay). My Ford is a 5 speed and I generally cut in 3rd gear. I've dabbled with 4th gear, but the corners get too hairy! The faster speed seems to keep the blade from clogging. Do some experimenting and you'll find what works best for you.

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super c fella

03-19-2002 07:03:47




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 Re: Re: Another sickle bar mower question (hopefully the last one!) in reply to Jim.UT, 03-18-2002 11:04:48  
an old-time farmer i worked for years ago taught me to always mow the whole field clockwise,leaving the back-swath around the outside for last. The reason being you are much more likely to encounter an obstacle and possibly break something around the outsideof the field. If this happens,at least you have your field of hay mowed,where the other way you would'nt.



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Mosey

03-19-2002 07:57:31




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 Re: Re: Re: Another sickle bar mower question (hopefully the last one!) in reply to super c fella, 03-19-2002 07:03:47  
That's un-common sense, which is even better than common sense. That's the kind of thinking that fewer and fewer people are capable of these days! The farmers I know and have known were all pretty clever.



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JWC

03-18-2002 15:31:33




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 Re: Re: Another sickle bar mower question (hopefully the last one!) in reply to Jim.UT, 03-18-2002 11:04:48  
Jim,

If you will go clockwise two rounds then make your counterclockwise round you will have a better feeling of where the edge is. I always open or start the field with the tractor to the outside. If you know how much to allow to the left side you can concentrate on fixing the distance from your left tire to the edge. If you mow counter clockwise first you estimating a distance of 7 to 11 feet from your right tires (depending on blade lenght and wheel spacing) and are trying to watch the mower also. The reason I cut two passes is to avoid running over any standing grass other than in the first pass. You can then make the counterclockwise pass at normal speed with limited worry of hitting trees, post or stumps at the edge of the field.

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Jim.UT

03-18-2002 16:33:51




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 Re: Re: Re: Another sickle bar mower question (hopefully the last one!) in reply to JWC, 03-18-2002 15:31:33  
Thanks! Worth a try. I won't get to try it until June. That's the soonest the first cut is ready. The way our drought is going, we may only get one cut this year.



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Festus

03-18-2002 09:52:22




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 Re: Another sickle bar mower question (hopefully the last one!) in reply to Mosey, 03-18-2002 09:35:57  
It will still cut alright at a slow speed, but if you're cutting thick hay it helps to be moving faster so it doesn't clog. I cut very slowly when trimming along my creek bank too.



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