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For you sickle mower operators...

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Mike

07-09-2002 20:28:40




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Got a new sickle mower and this is the first one I've used so got a question. Mine has a mechanical lift for the cutter bar. Arm under tractor lift arm operates a shaft and pulls a chain. Anyway, as I lower the unit, the end of the cutter bar touches the ground just about the time the shoe on the mower touches the ground. Seems perfect from the tractor seat. Question is, do you run these with their weight resting on their shoes or try to keep the weight on the tractor lift arms? I used mine to mow about 5 acres or so of hay last weekend and just sat it down enough to let the shoes ride the ground but maintain most of the weight on the tractor lift arms. Is this right? Or do you just let it's weight ride on the shoes?
On another note, since this was my first experience with a sickle mower, I will have to say I was impressed with the little mower. Really cut great and did a good job.

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Dan

07-12-2002 07:33:09




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 Re: For you sickle mower operators... in reply to Mike, 07-09-2002 20:28:40  
I would let the weight ride on the shoes. If the weight is on the lift arms and the outer end of the mower drops a bit the sickle bar will curve. Most mowers have adjustable shoes to raise or lower so you can mow close to the ground or up farther if you don't want to mow so close. You can also tip the end of the guards up if you have trouble with it plugging. JD used to have an attachment available for the #5 and probably #8 mowers with a wheel on the outer end and a raised shoe for the inside for clipping pastures. I have found that if I try to carry weight on the lift mechanism and if the end is off the ground the bar will bounce especially at the outer end. As was said try to get a manual for your mower, is also important to set lead and register for it to cut right.

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Kermit in SW MO

07-10-2002 09:34:26




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 Re: For you sickle mower operators... in reply to Mike, 07-09-2002 20:28:40  
I have a New Holland 451 sickle bar mower. Bought it new and have used it for many years. If I'm not mistaken when mowing the weight of the mower is on the skid shoes. I've never had a problem with the machine and it works very well even thought it's a little old. It cuts a field cleaner than some these new disc mowers that seem to be all the rage these days. You should check your skid shoes occasionally to see how they're wearing. You may need to replace them or hard surface them.

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Bob Semrau

07-10-2002 06:17:50




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 Re: For you sickle mower operators... in reply to Mike, 07-09-2002 20:28:40  
It depends on the mower. My MF 32 was designed to have the lift arm pins set to about 19" off the ground while mowing, while others are designed to have the lift arms all the way down while mowing. You should try to get a manual for your mower. Your lift mechanism sounds similar to mine - I've been mowing with my MF 32 with most of the weight on the lift arms for many years without a problem.



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Dick Davis

07-10-2002 04:02:23




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 Re: For you sickle mower operators... in reply to Mike, 07-09-2002 20:28:40  
Let it rest on the shoes. Carrying the weight on the lift arms will contribute to premature failure.



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Dick Davis

07-10-2002 04:00:46




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 Re: For you sickle mower operators... in reply to Mike, 07-09-2002 20:28:40  
Let it rest on the shoes. Carrying the weight on the lift arms will contribute to premature failure.



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Dick Davis

07-10-2002 03:59:44




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 Re: For you sickle mower operators... in reply to Mike, 07-09-2002 20:28:40  
Let it rest on the shoes. Carrying the weight on the lift arms will contribute to premature failure.



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