Sickle Bar Sickle bar mowers

[gordon21]

I asked my dealer about a sickle bar mower to maintain the side of the road on the mountain. His comment was that a new one was well over $1400 and that he hadn't had a used one in ages. He doesn't stock new ones. I don't want to pay $1400 for a mower that will get used about 4-6 hours per year. I can't use a rotary mower since the edges of the road fall off pretty steep quickly. In many cases the drop is only 2' to the ditch, but that would put my 60" wide tractor on a 25 degree+ angle which I will not do.

Are sickle bar mowers that expensive?
Who still makes them for compact tractors in the 20-40HP range?
I have watched the local tractor classifieds and have not seen any for sale for several months. Where would I go to find a used one other than e-bay?
Maybe I am calling it the wrong thing. I want a horizontal bar that sticks out only 4-5' past the edge of the tires and has teeth that move laterally back and forth about 3-4". PTO driven. 3PT hitch. No hydraulics wanted and manual height adjustments if it has any at all. It would seem that this mower would have a LOT less metal and parts in it than a new 5' rotary mower which can be bought for well under $700.

I have read about other TBN members trying to rig up an old lawnmower on a boom.

 

[higgy]

I use a sickle bar more than a bush hog.

I got mine used for 200.00 with several sickles included. Most are 7 or 9 foot. The one that I got is an older ford 501.

New ones are really expensive, I do not know why.

Keep your eyes open you will find them, sometimes in the paper they will just advertize for a mower.

Watch your fingers at all times, don't let your dog run around you when mowing.

They are simply a joy to use, very quite and I love to watch the grass fall like water.

 

[MMagis]

Around here, it's quite common to find them at local farm auctions. They may need some work, but can be found for a fraction of the cost of a new one.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

They used to be quite popular for hay farming until rotary disk mowers like Kuhn came along. Many are rusting in old fields or have been bought by small time hay farmers. Some have been bought by folks like you and me. One word to the wise, Make sure whatever you buy will fit your tractor. Mine does not fit on my 4310 so I run it on the big tractor. The frame is too wide for my 3pt arms to spread out.

If you buy a worn out one, prepare to spend a few hundred or more fixing it up.

I bought mine (9' JD 350) to mow around my pond so I don't get stuck like TxDon anymore

It works like a charm. I wouldn't sell it for less than $1000 and that's only if I found another one to fix up.

 

[ArchyD]

I happened onto a New Holland 450 on the side of the road the other day. I stopped and checked the condition (poor) and price $150. I contacted the seller and offered $75 for it. He accepted and I loaded it up. Got it to the barn and really checked it out. Contacted my local NH dealer and got the parts ordered for $125. Without sand blast and paint, the repaired unit will cost me $200 for a 7' mower in good condition.
I have since checked for comparable units on the internet and the best (lowest) price I have seen was $700.

This is my first sickle mower experience, so I will have many new things to learn. One of my neighbors grew up using them for haying and has offered his expertise to help me get it setup correctly and use it properly.
God has blessed me with a wonderful wife and great neighbors! What more could you ask?
ArchyD

 

[barticus73]

What parts did the mower end up needing? Is that model a belt drive?

 

[gordon21]

I thought sickle bar cutters were for trimming along the sides of roads ditches and ponds. I had no clue they were originally used for cutting hay. I guess that explains some of them being 7,8 or 9 feet long. I have been looking for something with a 3,4,5' blade. I need to go back and re-read some of the local ads that mentioned hay equipment. I grew up in the country, but not near any "real" agriculture farms to speak of. AG items are still Greek to me.

I keep hearing about hay tedders and see the replacement parts in the TSC and Agri-Supply catalogs, but have no clue what they might be either.

 

[ovrszd]

I thought sickle bar cutters were for trimming along the sides of roads ditches and ponds. I had no clue they were originally used for cutting hay. I guess that explains some of them being 7,8 or 9 feet long. I have been looking for something with a 3,4,5' blade. I need to go back and re-read some of the local ads that mentioned hay equipment. I grew up in the country, but not near any "real" agriculture farms to speak of. AG items are still Greek to me.

I keep hearing about hay tedders and see the replacement parts in the TSC and Agri-Supply catalogs, but have no clue what they might be either.

I think maybe your definition of country and mine would be different. I also grew up in the country and have used and been around a lot of sickle bar mowers. They were never intended to be a utensel to create beauty. They are to make a living.

They are extremely dangerous as noted by an above post. Your dog will let you cut it's feet right off while it investigates what the **** that thing is sticking out the side of your tractor.

When you raise the bar for transport NEVER put your fingers in between the guards. The sickle will move in the bar as you lift it and cut your fingers cleanly off!!!

Don't buy a pitman arm driven mower, you cannot mow steep banks with it as the pitman arm will bind as the bar goes up or down a bank. You need a belt driven sickle that uses a gear box at the head of the bar. That gear box is driven by a belt that attaches to a pulley at the end of your PTO shaft. This type will mow with the sickle straight up or straight down. I've even saw farmers use them to trim small limbs off brush along roadways.

Sickle bar mowers are generally expensive because nothing else will do what they do nearly as cheap.

I think the best quality sickle bar mower made is a New Holland brand. Avoid pull type mowers for what your needs are because they are a PITA to back up. As stated above, most mowers are designed for full sized tractors and some will not attach to your CUT.

Finally,,,, expect to pay some serious cash for a good sickle bar mower. Those that post on here with good deals like the one for $200 repaired are far and few between. You already realize there are no great deals like that in your neighborhood. Good Luck hunting!!!

 

[Mike120]

You can also try Sweet Farm Equipment: http://www.sweettractors.com/

Sickle bar mowers are pretty slow compared to a disk mower that's why most hay producers don't use them any more, they also don't like ant hills.

 

[gordon21]

Thanks Mike 120, this is exactly the kind of site I am looking for. Lots of choices and someone who can have an item shipped.

Thanks ovrszd for the advice about the drive system and safety tips.