NH477 Haybine Cutter Bar Question

[Banjo]

Perhaps this is just the normal setup, but it seems to me that perhaps the cutter bar on my 477 Haybine isn't quite right. It has 30 fixed guards, and the cutter bar has 29 "full size" teeth and one "half size" tooth on the outside (right) end. When the sickle is all the way right the cutter sticks a good way out. On the left end it seems to me that it's "missing" a tooth. I am having problems sometimes with the left end getting plugged with grass at times.

I've attached some pictures of the left and right end at the two extremes of the sickle travel. In this post it shows the left end when the cutter is all the way to the right. It seems to me that it can't be good having the guard "empty" in this position?

Does this seem right? The cutter bar certainly doesn't look like it could be set up any different way.

thanks, Andrew

 

[Banjo]

Here's the left end with the cutter bar at the other extreme.

 

[Banjo]

Here's the right end all the way out.

 

[Banjo]

And finally the right end at the other extreme.

thanks again, Andrew

 

[RickB]

Perfectly fine and normal arrangement of parts; nothing missing or incorrect. What kind of shape are the end guards in? Being somewhat protected by the side sheets, they seemingly go forever without breaking. Therefore they become the most worn-out cutting parts on the whole machine. Try putting new guards on either end. You can't run the bar into a cut swath or windrow without plugging 95% of the time even with sharp cutting elements. One reason disc cutters shine.

 

[Banjo]

Rick,
thanks for the reply, I just wasn't sure if it was right (although I was darned if I could figure out how it could have got wrong).

I took a look at the guards today, and there's perhaps the odd one that could stand a "tune" I suspect. These things are new to me so I can only go by what's in the book, coupled with an attempt to apply common sense. It sure is great being able to tap into the experience here. Given that "inner" end seems to plug a lot, I'm thinking that a new guard there would be a good investment. I put 20 odd new teeth on the other day and that helped a lot.

I did successfully cut another 5 acres or so today. It's tough sledding since this is "first cut" so it's long, tangled and down in some places.

Anyway, one of my favourite sayings is "Experience begins when you start" so I'm getting at it and trying lots of different things to find what seems to work best.

thanks again,
Andrew

 

[HammerFour]

I am not familiar with that model, but is there an 'index' adjustment on it? It looks to me like the bar is extending to far to the right ( out ) and not coming far enough left ( in ). That would seem to tend to cause the problems you have with the inner end plugging more.

Of course, the inner end is closer to the cut grass usually, and its real easy to get a wad of cut grass on the bar and clog it.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

As I was looking at the pictures I was thinking one word.... INDEX. Looks like it's about 1/2" out of "INDEX" to me. (OK, maybe 1/4") Get a manual if you don't have one, and go through the indexing steps. See if that doesn't help. Other than that, 99% of the sickle cutter problems I've ever seen were worn sections or worn guards/ledger plates.

 

[Banjo]

I'm with you guys that the bar isn't "INDEXed" right (now I know that's the "official" word). I have the operators manual but it doesn't mention anything about it. I would think that you'd have to take the arm off the gearbox and move it a bit ... assuming that it's on some sort of spline. Either that or cut a bit out of the cutter bar. Neither sounds quite "right".

As for model, AFAIK the 477 is a narrower version of a 479, which I think is pretty common. Anyone know anything about INDEXing on them by chance?

I think I'm pretty much done cutting for this year (although there is more I could do). But I'd like to get it "right" for next year.

Thanks everyone. Andrew

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Let's dive into the index issue here.... IF, and emphasize IF, someone could have changed sections at one time, and got a little rambunctious (sp) pounding the rivets back in, well, T.R.O.U.B.L.E.

The bar that holds those sections can "grow" a tad with each rivet if they're pounded on too hard. Maybe just a fraction, but with all those rivets, your section bar can grow 1/2" or more with each section change. About 10 years ago, I bought a New Holland mower/conditioner. (Can't recall model #) It was plagued with similar troubles. I bought a NEW section bar to replace the one that came with the mower. The NEW one was over an inch shorter over-all length.

The surest way I know of to check for this problem is to "center" the section furthest to the inside on a guard, then check the furthest OUTSIDE to see if it's centered on it's guard.

Also, check to see if that mower calls for "under-serrated", "over-serrated", or smooth sections. It does make a difference. Finally, check condition of ledger plates. That's the serrated portion on the guard. (Check wear plates and tensioners too)

Sickle mowers cut like a charm when all is right, and they are a nightmare when one little thing is just a hair off.