Sickle Bar Sickle Mower for rear PTO

[Steelfan]

I'm in the market for what I call a "sickle mower". They either fit under the tractor, or on the rear PTO. They are about a 8 foot sickle that raises up, and down, and also tilts some. Does anyone know what I'm talking about or where I can find one for the rear of my tractor? And also will my TC21D handle such a mower? I've got a bunch of ditches to trim, and need something that goes out the side of the tractor. Thanks Kent

 

[Golfgar4]

Kent,

Here's a whole thread <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=implement&Number=7958&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1>Sickle Mowers</A> about sickle bar mowers. You'll probably be able to find whatever you need in there. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Steelfan]

Thanks Golfgar4, I wasn't sure that was the name of them. I guess I should have did the search anyway./w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif Now I owe to two. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Thanks again. Kent

 

[Golfgar4]

Kent,

I guess I should have mentioned this in my first reply. Our City Street department uses 4 - 5 tractors with sickle bar mowers to mow ditches, ROW's, etc. It scares the h _ _ _ out me, because they let college kids run these things! Remember, I'm the guy that deals with workers compensation for the City! /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

Anyway, I know that I'm always hearing griping out of these kids because the bars are always getting jammed up with long grass/weeds. Now I don't know if this is because of the kids lack of experience, or because the City waits too long to try to cut it. But it seems to me that those mowers are sitting more than they are mowing. I'm sure someone with first hand experience can better answer that question. Just wanted to pass it on for you to check out.

 

[Steelfan]

Thanks again, That's a big help maybe I'll try to figure something else out. Gotta be something out there that will work. Kent

 

[machinedoc]

I saw the new double action belt drive sickle bar mowers- 5 and 7 ft on sweettractors website for $1789 and $1989---I think I would go with the 5 ft for safer operation

 

[Steelfan]

Thanks for the heads up, And welcome to the forum. I'll check it out right away. Kent

 

[EdKing]

<font color=blue>Anyway, I know that I'm always hearing griping out of these kids because the bars are always getting jammed up with long grass/weeds. Now I don't know if this is because of the kids lack of experience, or because the City waits too long to try to cut it. </font color=blue>

I would say it is either lack of experience, or lack of maintainence that would cause the jamming of the mower. Properly used and maintained, a sickle bar should have no trouble with tall grass/weeds. The sickle bar is probably the most used mower for cutting hay, even the cut/conditioners use a sickle bar to cut. If the blades are kept sharp and properly adjusted, and you don't try to mow too fast, it should mow just fine, even with tall thick grass. It actually requires less horse power than a comparable sized brush hog or finish mower as it is just cutting the grass at the bottom, rather than shreding it.

Just wanted to pass a little info on.

 

[pieterv]

You have a couple choices:

#1 - Sickle bar mower. Check out First Choice. They offer a BELT drive units with a CAST basis and at very good prices. The 5-ft unit is specifically designed for the compact tractors.

#2 - At their affiliated company, VMC, they offer Boom Mowers, also for small compacts.. some are running on JD-4100's. Those units reach 10 ft and come with Flail mower Heads. Soon also on the FRONT of the tractor...!
Prices are more than double those of Sickle Bar units but typically what you have come to expect from First Choice..about 40% less than others. These units are much more versatile: you can reach MUCH farther, over or under fences, reverse blade rotation, mow next ot the tractor, etc.

Whatever you decide, ENJOY it !

 

[wichiwichi]

Does First Choice have a web site? Thanks