Sickle Bar Sickle bar mower

[jhburke]

I have a b7500hst and I would like to use a sickle bar mower on it. I have looked at some used ones but they are all at least 7'. Can my tractor handle that big of a sickle bar? Any help would be much appreciated. JIM

 

[HalseyGreen]

First question, is it a 3 point attach or a trailer type, either can be PTO. If its 3 point, you may need considerable counter weight on the opposite side to offset the leverage of the sickle bar. My dad had about a 42" on a Sears garden tractor in the mid 60's, had over a hundred pounds of wheel weights on the left rear wheel to offset the bar on the right, this was mid-mount. unit, and you still had to watch out for tipping. I have used a JD 2355 with a 7 footer on a 3 point, and you could feel a lighter left side. Now if a trailer type, it should work with anysize tractor as long as it has the PTO power as it does not depend upon the tractor for stability, and if its a wheel drive unit PTO is not even a consideration.
Hope this helps. My advise, look for something in the 4 to 5 ' lenght for smaller tractor.

 

[skent]

I have a CASE T10 7' that I use with my B7300 (12.5 HP PTO) Hydro.

It is a trailer type. . . .

Never had a problem even in high weeds or full grown sweet corn.

Must keep blade sections sharp and rock guards in good shape.

 

[Thomas]

Sickle bar mowing..now that brings back memories from the past for me /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif and lot of other TBNer's.

I do hope the newer sickle bar blades are easier to sharpen other than a old hand file,and they don't break down as much.

Just wondering why you are considering a sickle bar,for you have flat w/some hilly areas and a rear mower easier to handle.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I've got an Enorossi 7' sickle bar. I'm not sure how much hp your tractor has, but the specs for the Enorrosi say it requires from 20 to 30hp. The unit weighs 530 lbs. They also sell a unit with a 6' bar that weighs 496 lbs. Same hp spec.

Since I got the Enorossi my old NH 451 has been sitting in the weeds. It weighs less than the NH. Has a hydraulic cylinder to raise or lower. You can cut at any angle from 90 degrees up from horiz. to 75 degrees below horiz. The best feature is that it has a scissor action so it seldom clogs unlike the NH which even with one of the double tooths on the end still clogs.

 

[jhburke]

I want it to cut ditch banks and around a pond. I want to use a 3 point model. I was concerned about it making the tractor tippy. But I don't like getting real close to the pond edge. I have already had the front wheels slide in twice. Don't like that at all. JIM

 

[forestcreature]

i gave up on the sickle idea and went with the line trimmer.

this was due to two things, 1 - lots of rock [riprap] that would ding the sickle, and 2 - the banks were not 4100-friendly [too steep and too narrow in case the sickle caught on something].

i would really like to here about any sickle mowing pond/lake/creek bank experiences!

 

[Caretaker]

jh, this is your lucky day!

I just happen to have a JD4100 hydro, for which I acquired a kuhn 6' Sickle Bar mower, which I have decided to let go at a very reasonable price {grin}

Please pardon that unabashed advertising

I think our tractors are pretty similar - the unit I have works pretty well. I originally bought it to mow a bank, including cutting down 1" saplings. It worked okay, but after using it I decided there were easier ways to do what I wanted to do - Sickle-Bar mowers really work best in hayfields. It's a 3-point hitch model, has a hydro. lift, can be offset to compensate for the blade weight, and it does have what's called a "pittman" arm, which is what drives the blades. (That's not considered the best way to drive the blades - newer models use a different technique to reciprocate the blades.)

To specifically answer your question - it depends on what you're trying to do with the SB you're contemplating. Running slower, cutting grass - probably would work.

Let me know if you want anymore info

 

[jhburke]

I am interested in more info. Please email me at the following. jhburke2@insightbb.com JIM

 

[Egon]

Darren:

From way back I recall a sickle bar mower only required about two horse power.

Egon

 

[rancar]

Tom,

I will be purchasing a JD4710 shortly. I had been looking at a sicklebar mower, primarily to cut around edges of fields to prevent hedgerow creep. It's much easier getting under the low hanging branches with a 7' or 9' blade. I wouldn't be able to do this with a rear mounted bush hog. However, I will be going with the bush hog for two reasons -- can cut thicker brush and it's lower in cost. But, that still doesn't solve my problem with the hedgerow creep apart from removing the entire hedgerow, some of which I am planning on doing.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

That's still true on some farms.

 

[RonL]

Egon

The City here contracts with a gentleman who brings in two huge draft horses and a sickle mower to cut the areas around the reservoir. Beautiful animals.

RonL

 

[DaRube]

Timely thread. The guy from Soil & Water Conservation was just out yeterday AM to advise me on the pond.....and he recommended a Sickle Bar. I also have the B7500HST.

Anyone near Northern VA looking to part with one?