Sickle Bar Rossi Sickle Bar Mower

Bob_Young · Sep 23, 2004

I need a sickle bar mower for mowing around trees. The local NH dealer recommended a Rossi BF-210. I'd never heard of Rossi equipment and Googled it up. Google had only 3 or 4 references and only one of those was in English. It's a nice compact 3pt. hitch model that's made in Italy. But there doesn't seem to be a lot there for the $2300 the dealer is asking.

Besides the price, I'm wondering about part availability. Teeth and rockguards were almost a consumable item for sickle bar mowers in the past. It would be nice to be able to pick these up at Tractor Supply.

Kind of expected the dealer to pitch the NH451 that I looked into a few years ago. Do they still make that model? Maybe the 451 was simply a rebranded Rossi.

Has anyone had any exposure to the Rossi line of sickle bar mowers?

HayDR · Sep 24, 2004

The NH451 New is over $4,000. That's why he pitched the Rossi. The Rossi takes the same wear parts as the G&S mowers. On this mower you have sickle sections available from Herschell Adams in the aftermarket but the guards are made of sheet metal and you will find the guards limited to dealers that sell the mowers. We do stock the guards, sections, & rivets. CCM Hay Equipment Wear Parts
You will have to watch using the double action mowers around harwood trees. The extent of cutting ability is 1/2" Green twiggs and branches. Dead hardwood branches hidden in the grass will damage the mower quicker that you can stop the mower. You might want to look at some used single action mowers for mowing around trees. You can purchased a good used Ford 501 mower for $300. These used sickelbar mowers will not work on the smallest CUT's. CCM does make a small single action sicklebar mower for CUT's.

Bob_Young · Sep 24, 2004

Holy Moly CCI, $4000?!!? Guess that IS why he pitched the Rossi. Thanks for the info. I won't be pushing to get one of those anytime soon.

Mowing will be done primarily around white pine trees, but along the fringes of the set-out areas there's lots of ash. Guess I'll have to hit the fringes with the bush-hog if I go with a double action mower.

Tractor will probably be a new L4300 Kubota that I hope to purchase at the same time. If not that, then an old Ford 2000 (once I get it running) or a Ford 4000 (both 3cyl. models). I think all of these are fairly strong so probably able to handle a single-action mower. Which brings me to my next question:

What's the difference between a single action and a double action mower? The only sickle bar mowers I've used were pull-behind models from the 40's and 50's....all pretty much worn out. Can I assume they were all single action? They seemed to take a fair amount of abuse.

Thanks again for the detailed info on the Rossi and the picture download. Want to make a decision on this in the next couple of weeks.
Bob

HayDR · Sep 24, 2004

Now you can purchase a good used NH451 for $1,000-2,000. The NH451 is the standard in single action sicklebar mowers.
If it were me I would find a good use single action sicklebar mower and use a bush hog to cut the rougher areas. The tractors you have are fine for what you are doing. If yous want to update you need to look at something around 40 HP so you have to ability to pull a larger bush hog style cutter.

rambler · Sep 24, 2004

( Now you can purchase a good used NH451 for $1,000-2,000. The NH451 is the standard in single action sicklebar mowers.
If it were me I would find a good use single action sicklebar mower and use a bush hog to cut the rougher areas. The tractors you have are fine for what you are doing. If yous want to update you need to look at something around 40 HP so you have to ability to pull a larger bush hog style cutter. )

Good advise. I'd sure buy used for what you want to do.

--->Paul

sweettractors · Sep 24, 2004

The Rossi takes the same wear parts as the G&S mowers. 

We stock the New original G&S double action and all support parts in the 5-6 and 7 ft lengths. The 5 ft Micro is priced at $2195 and the 7 ft is $2495. The 5 ft Micro is specially designed for all CUT tractors 14-25 HP--The 6 and 7 ft have conventional configurations on the 3 point hitch and work nice on 25 to 70 HP tractors--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *Over 30 Used Sickle Bar Mowers in Stock, NH,MF.Ford,JD*

ZJ_HR · Sep 25, 2004

John,
May I ask what is special in in NH sickle bar? Why is it best?
Any detailed pic?

We have G&S licensed side mounted mowers over 30 years.
3 pt mounted are rare, and people don't like it, as you can't see it.
Only popular 3pt are double action, as they don't clodge.

Bob_Young · Sep 25, 2004

CCI: What's the difference between 'double-action' and 'single-action' sickle bar mowers??

ZJ: 3-pt. mounted mowers are unpopular.....why? Didn't follow you.

Darren · Sep 25, 2004

In a single action like the NH 451, only the bar with the knife sections reciprocates cutting the material against fixed guards. In a double action both the knives and guards move in a scissors action. I've got both a 451 and a Rossi. I haven't used the 451 since I got the Rossi. The Rossi's double action plugs a lot less.

nomad · Sep 26, 2004

I bought this (single-action) new mower (see picture) which also fits CUTs for $850 which is the half price of double-action mower. As long as you are a small or hobby farmer, you don't need double-action mower. Single action mower will be enough.

ZJ_HR · Sep 26, 2004

Bob,
When you have rear 3pt mounted sickle bar, grass covers your sight to bar. And when it clogg, you can't see this. Another reason is that you need to look back whole time, or turning your head front - back permanently.
Another reason is that we have G&S licensed mower producer close, and they make side mounted mowers to most common tractors, or adapt one to any tractor you have.
Lot of people cut fresh grass for cattle food. They pull trailor to grass field, disconnect it, cut grass with tractor and haul full trailor home. You can't do it with rear mounted mower.
Maybe this is a habbit here, maybe there is different.
If you didn't see side mounted mower, go there

Bob_Young · Sep 26, 2004

Thanks for the explanation Darren. Knew I was missing something. Have never seen a double action mower.

Also thanks for mentioning the Rossi's advantage over the NH451. Guys who have both can be a big help to those of us who have neither.

Bob_Young · Sep 26, 2004

I gotcha now ZJ, thanks for taking the time to spell it out. I'll give that some thought.

Things are a bit different here. Biggest thing I'll be worrying about using a sickle bar is branches and newborn fawns in the grass. Rear mounted might give me a little more time to detect these things.....or maybe not.
Bob

Kyle_in_Tex · Sep 26, 2004

I'm just getting used to my JD 350 which is a 9' single action. I use it around my pond for clearing. I've found out that when it does tend to clog, it is due to cutting thru previous cuttings' decaying clumps. I wanted single action with a belt drive to give me the biggest angle up and down possible.
Also, when cutting thru grass, it is good to keep speed up to help grass fall to the rear as the knife goes under it.
Sickle bars are not good for recutting areas that have not been raked and baled. As far as clearing around my pond, it is the greatest thing since sliced bread...Kyle

Darren · Sep 26, 2004

Kyle, I've used a double action sickle bar in conditions where I ran it through large clumps just like yours with no clogging. FWIW, a double action will cut below horizontal for pond banks.

sweettractors · Sep 26, 2004

a double action will cut below horizontal for pond banks.


Actually, 70 degrees below and 90 degrees above horizontal--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *New G&S Double Action Mowers - 5-6-7 ft Cut in Stock Today*

Kyle_in_Tex · Sep 26, 2004

I was worried (probably about nothing) that running the end under water may not be good for a double action. I have no idea what parts might be out on the end of the knife bar. At any rate, I'm into my blade for less than 1K and that included new knive bar, bushings, belt, and the manuals. Funny, the manuals cost more than most of all the parts ($75).
Most of all, I am glad I got a 9 footer. It really reaches out far enough to get most all the shoreline growth...Kyle

ZJ_HR · Sep 27, 2004

We tried cutting in water. Mower is working BETTER than in dry condition. Water give a little "grease", and rinse dust.
After that, cutter bar is perfectly clean for resharpen /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

JerryT · Sep 27, 2004

I have Rossi 7 ft. sickle mower that I bought for triming around my 10 acre lake and cutting the water side of the dam. Also use it in the 90 degree position for keeping paths around my propery wide open. I got the hydraulic cylinder with it, and my only complaint is that it is a single action. My opinion is that it is a big heavy duty piece of equipment. My JD 4400 handles it fine. This unit is designed to fit both cat. 1 & 2 tractors. It is accomplished by putting one lift pin on the outside of the structural tubing on one side, and both the inside and outside on the otherside. With Pats EZ system, I actually use the Cat.2 position as it better centers the tool on the PTO.

Bob_Young · Sep 27, 2004

Thanks Jerry, you clarified something. I had gotten the impression the Rossi BF-210 7 footer was a double action mower, something that wouldn't work too well around trees according to the posts above. If it's single action, it looks like a good choice for me.

Glad to hear it's heavy duty. Tractors I'll be using it with range from 35 to 50hp, one is (or should be if I get the right parts on it) Cat II.