Sickle mower for fine thick grass??

[blaze 57]

The mower is a JD 350 just sold my JD No. 39 pittman. Need hints on setting the sickle mower up to cut that fine, thick sub-irrigated grass that plugs it. What knifes to use or what else etc should I be doing to get it to cut fine thick grass. Thanks!

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

sharp overserrated sections and new plates underneath the sections.

 

[IHCman]

I do not have experience with a John Deere mower but I run Rowse double 9' bars with New Holland heads and my advice would be to make sure your guards are in good shape, that the hold down clamps are not wore to much because if they are wore to much they won't hold the sickle down on the guards. I prefer to use underserrated sickles that have to be sharpened. A previous poster recommends overserrated sickles and they should also work well if they are new and sharp. Also try and cut it on a day when its dry and not to much humidity which makes it tough cutting. Some grasses are just frustrating to cut with a sickle mower which has me looking into either a disc mower or disc mower conditioner.

 

[flusher]

The mower is a JD 350 just sold my JD No. 39 pittman. Need hints on setting the sickle mower up to cut that fine, thick sub-irrigated grass that plugs it. What knifes to use or what else etc should I be doing to get it to cut fine thick grass. Thanks!

I'd punt and get myself a drum mower and stop worrying about plugging. For about $3K you can get yourself a drum mower with a 5-6 ft cut that you can run at relatively high ground speed (4-5 mph) through your field of grass.

 

[blaze 57]

I think some of my problems is the rock guards are a little worn. Those drum mowers look trick. I was also looking at the "double action" type sickle mowers made by Befco and another company. I was wondering if the double action type sickle is better for thick grass?? Does anyone here own a double action type sickle mower? thanks for the previous replies!

 

[Egon]

For the ordinary sickle bar mower all has to be in tip top shape and sharper than sharp for thick, thin grass. Perhaps slow the ground speed down to.

 

[blaze 57]

If I slow the ground speed down with the RPM's up it will cut through it. Looking at the rock guards the edges are slightly rounded and need replacing.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

My JD 350 has replaceable "ledger plates"

 

[IHCman]

I've seen those and know guys who prefer them but I've never tried em always used the smooth guards with an underserrated sickle. a set of guards generally lasts me a season, this year cut alot of crp hay and with all the mole hills in there really wore out my guards quick. should replace em but I'm trying to make it to the end and don't have alot more left to cut. Generally put up 3000 to 4000 large round bales a year Not sure on the acres cut haven't tallied it up, kinda varies from year to year.

I also agree completely with the guy who said to reduce ground speed to cut that fine thick grass. Thats sound advice I forgot to mention. :thumbsup:

 

[sweettractors]

I think some of my problems is the rock guards are a little worn. Those drum mowers look trick. I was also looking at the "double action" type sickle mowers made by Befco and another company. I was wondering if the double action type sickle is better for thick grass?? Does anyone here own a double action type sickle mower? thanks for the previous replies!

We sell them and use them. My Operations manager has ran a double action for years and says he had rather run it that his 8 ft disc mower. Ours are the 394-7 Superior for $3695 with hydraulic lift. Ken Sweet

 

[blaze 57]

My guards are also all smooth,, actually rounded over:laughing:. How do the ledger plates fit on? I guess you have to order special guards for ledger plates. I have heard of them but never used them or seen one. Where would I order them?.. thanks

 

[blaze 57]

We sell them and use them. My Operations manager has ran a double action for years and says he had rather run it that his 8 ft disc mower. Ours are the 394-7 Superior for $3695 with hydraulic lift. Ken Sweet

Thanks Ken. I'll look at your site and those mowers!

 

[sweettractors]

Thanks Ken. I'll look at your site and those mowers!

Call Toll Free 1-866-528-3323 and ask to talk to Kenny. Ken Sweet

 

[HayDR]

I think some of my problems is the rock guards are a little worn. Those drum mowers look trick. I was also looking at the "double action" type sickle mowers made by Befco and another company. I was wondering if the double action type sickle is better for thick grass?? Does anyone here own a double action type sickle mower? thanks for the previous replies!

The double action sicklebar mowers do not like fire ants, sticks & rocks. They must be used in pristine conditions. We have sold the double action G&S Superior mowers since the 1980's. They are higher maintenance than a drum mower. You can do $$$ hundreds damage in a second if you catch a rock or stick in the guards. The repairs on the double action mowers are time consuming & expensive. With the drum mower the blades are $1.25, only 6 and you can replace them all in 2 minutes. The drum mower will mow any crop as fast as you can ride.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

The double action sicklebar mowers do not like fire ants, sticks & rocks. They must be used in pristine conditions. We have sold the double action G&S Superior mowers since the 1980's. They are higher maintenance than a drum mower. You can do $$$ hundreds damage in a second if you catch a rock or stick in the guards. The repairs on the double action mowers are time consuming & expensive. With the drum mower the blades are $1.25, only 6 and you can replace them all in 2 minutes. The drum mower will mow any crop as fast as you can ride.

All true, but you can't run a drum mower down into the water to trim a pond.

 

[HayDR]

All true, but you can't run a drum mower down into the water to trim a pond.

If you want to run one in the water, a single action sicklebar mower like a NH 451 would be better and more durable.

 

[rdbigfarmboy]

Ive got drum mowers and disc and a double action sickle mower. I wish drum mowers were wider more than 7 ft. Disc mowers are expensive when you chew rocks and chunks. Double action sickle cuts good but can be expensive and time consuming to repair.

 

[HayDR]

Ive got drum mowers and disc and a double action sickle mower. I wish drum mowers were wider more than 7 ft. Disc mowers are expensive when you chew rocks and chunks. Double action sickle cuts good but can be expensive and time consuming to repair.

Most drum mowers above 7' are usually in a pull-type configuration.

 

[flusher]

Couldn't find a pull-type drum mower but found this 10-footer side mounted unit

JF CM 305 for sale in Courtmacsherry , Bandon Cork Munster Ireland FarmAndPlant.ie

 

[cornshucker]

Look on S.I. Distributing website for SCH System. I have them, best money I ever spent on hay equipment. Also check your sickle register no matter how good your sections, guards, and hold downs are if the register is not right it will not cut good.