NH 451 Sickle Bar Mower

[MMH]

Found a 1978 New Holland 451 w/ two tooth bars for $1000. Based on pictures seems to be in OK shape (other than some fairly significant rust on the bars & cutters). Is this a decent price? I see newer ones for allot more than $1000 (which is the upper limit on what I want to spend). What (and how) should I check out the NH 451 when I look at it?

I plan on using the sickle bar to cut the sides of a short but steep hill and cut along side a creek. What is the maximum up/down operating angle of the bar?

 

[Verticaltrx]

If it's in good shape that may be a decent price. You also need to check to make sure nothing is bent or has been broken or welded around the cutter bar/frame/wobble box area. We bought a 1968 NH 450 mower for $850 in very good condition, and a 1980's NH 451 for $750 in fair shape (needed a little work). Both have been great mowers. They will run from about 45* down to 90* up, but there isn't that much range in the lift mechanism so it's more like 30* down to 45* up, depending on how you have it set. Another thing to note is that to work on a compact tractor you will need an adapter for the top link. I think you can still get it as a kit from NH, or they are easy to make.

 

[MMH]

I have a JD 4500. Will this be big enough to handle the 451? What kind of adapter would be needed?

 

[Verticaltrx]

The tractor is plenty large enough to use the mower, I've used one on my little B3200 before. The adapter is needed on small tractors because the lift arms/rockshaft is not wide enough to accommodate the yoke that the mower uses for a top link. It fits on utility size tractor (think 5000 series Deere) without any trouble because it is wide enough between the arms. 3000 and 4000 series Deere's will probably need an adapter.

Here is a pic of the adapter I made: