Sickle Mower Hydraulic

[Machold]

I have rigged a hydro cylinder to my Oliver SMower to raise and lower the bar. It was a learning experience, to say the least. The first setup to hold the cylinder end was done with 3/8' x 1.5", braced; needless to say, the first test, bent that all to H. The second try is 6x20x3/4" (in a different location on the mower); works fine.

Problem: raising and lowering is very jerky. My B3030 puts out 9gpm; do I need to reduce this flow? Is there a smoother lever arrangement?

 

[Machold]

More pics: Please ignore the idiosyncratic welding...

 

[flusher]

Nice job:thumbsup:

What cylinder are you using--bore, stroke?

 

[Machold]

2" bore, 24" stroke.

 

[J_J]

Match the flow of the pump to the valve.

A larger cyl bore.

1/4 in hose will limit flow somewhat.

Restricter orifices in the circuit.

Needle valves that you can adjust to suit your needs.

http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=9-7961-4&catname=hydraulic

Feather the valve. I believe the valve flow is linear over the spools, so if you move the lever a little, a little fluid will flow. If you push the lever fully fwd, total pump volume will flow.

If you want really slow, then you can split the hyd flow and give the sickle bar mower hyd's the priority flow, which can be low, like 2 to 3 GPM,

Select the valve to match the flow to the sickle bar mower and you should be set.

If done right you should see a big difference.

http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=9-4158-3&catname=hydraulic

The speed of cyl operation will also depend on the cyl mounting geometry.

 

[SSdoxie]

Try this before investing in restrictors or adjustment valves. You only need a single acting cylinder because weight of the sickle bar will pull rod end out and allow it to lower. Remove the hose from the base end of cylinder and connect only the rod end hose. Try lowering and raising. If the jerk is gone, get some type of breather and screw it into the base end port.

Also be sure both ends of the cylinder pivot freely and are well lubricated, some drag here can cause it to jerk.

 

[sweettractors]

More pics: Please ignore the idiosyncratic welding...

What keeps the material that is being cut from lodging on the cyl shaft? Ken Sweet

 

[Machold]

Nothing. The Rake was/is missing. Don't know how to replace it.

 

[Neil L]

I have a IH 1300 7'. Do you think there is a way to lower the bar below level, to mow the down side of banks? How many degrees below level? Can you make the cylinder neutral so the bar can follow the changes in uphill banks?Does anyone know how to make the attchments to a 1300

Any help will be great,
Neil

 

[J_J]

Make sure the cyl can extend enough for the down hill distance below horizontal , and use the float mode to follow the contour.