Sickle Bar Sickle mower

[Tul01]

Looking for some advice on sickle mowers. I have found 2 old Deere sickle mowers, both are "semi mounted", a No.5(6') and a No.8(5'). Both are apparently working although I haven't seen it. Has anyone converted one to 3pth mount? Or is it simple to fabricate a mounting system to a new style hitch. Would the cutter bar drop down enough I could get the ditches along the front of my property without tearing it up? They are both old. Does anyone have any experience with the transmissions on these versus a belt drive sickle mower(which we used when I was growing up)?

Thanks
Brent

 

[VistanTN]

Pitman arm (that's the technical name for the type of drive on the older sickle bar mowers) -- VERY limited in angle both up and down. My belt drive will work form 60 degrees down to 90 degrees up -- Pitman arms seldom go more than 20 degrees either direction. So, unless your ditches are fairly shallow ... OR ... very wide and deep so your tractor can be nearly at the angle of the ditch wall, most pitman arms won't work.

 

[farmerjim]

i had a #5 and currently have a #8 and #8w both have a pitman arm which run the cutterbar they don't like to be run either up or down past about 20-25 degrees. they will snap as they're made of wood. my #8w has a 3pt mount that came with it, but i haven't used it yet. good thing about those is the jd label you can still get all the parts. if you're looking to cut some fairly deep ditches they're not the greatest for that. you 'd be better off w/ something that can cut + or - 90 degrees. those older mowers were meant for a tractor w/ adjustable rear wheel spacing, not sure what you have for a tractor? they will hang up a good amount if not spaced right.

 

[gordon21]

Many JD models came in both wide and narrow versions. Make sure to get one that will not cause interferece with the rear tires. R-4 tires make the problem worse if you are already tight on space.

I have a 39N and I need to adjust some parts so it doesn't occasionally rub on the tires. Rubbing will cause a groove around the inside of the tire. It is used with an i-match, so I already have it mounted an extra 3" farther back.

If you find any old working sickle mower for under $600 that fits your tractor, grab it. New blades are widely available and cost about $18 to do a 7' bar.

 

[Tul01]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm gonna drive over there and see the actual spacing on my tractor. I have a new Montana and it seems that the hitch is tucked in a lot more than what I remember on dad's JD "H" and "A" from when I was a kid. I think clearance may be the biggest issue. The price is right though and the guy selling says he has used them on his ditch. I guess we'll see when I clamp it on and fire it up. Hopefully its not 1 1/2 hour drive for nothing!

Brent

 

[Stampeder]

Brent, I too have a Montana 4940C. My next door neighbour has a JD model 39 "N" I believe which I am just getting back into working order.
The nice thing about Montana's is that their rear wheel spacing is adjustable. You have to remount tires but it is achievable.
Good luck. I moved to Texas from Alberta. Can't take those -40 degree winters anymore.

Cheers.