Cutting Sicklebar Length

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  • July 30, 2010 at 10:55 am #41867
    Does’ Leap
    Participant

    We mow with a MD #9 with a 6′ bar on a Vermont Hill Farm. I am thinking of cutting a foot off of my bar to make it a 5 footer. The 6′ bar is great on the 1 meadow we have that is relatively flat, but difficult for prolonged mowing on our other hilly fields with thick grass. Has anybody ever done this? Any concerns? I have been thinking of doing this since reading Tim Harrigan’s post back in May on sickle bar draft http://www.draftanimalpower.com/showthread.php?t=3103

    Yesterday we were mowing a field that we grazed after our grass headed out in June. This particular field received 2 tons/acre of composted chicken manure in order to meet a P deficit. The incredibly thick grass lead to lots of jamming and a broken pitman. Back at it today.

    George

    July 30, 2010 at 11:43 am #61544
    mitchmaine
    Participant

    hey george, try writing john hershberger, 4582 township road 184, millersburg, ohio 44654. he used to have a mower repair shop there and you could get whatever you wanted ups from him or go there. he might be pretty old by now but i’d try it before i went cutting up a good six foot bar. good luck, mitch

    July 30, 2010 at 12:07 pm #61543
    karl t pfister
    Participant

    George, perhaps another solution might be another mower . I have one in the bottom of my barn , it did work 20 years ago . It is a 4′ maybe 5′, I’d find out which if you were interested in taking it , I ‘m heading in the motorized direction .If it worked out for you I ‘d trade for cheese. Clearing my Clutter Karl 802 824 4663 southern VT

    July 30, 2010 at 6:01 pm #61540
    Donn Hewes
    Keymaster

    Just one thought. A shorter bar won’t fix the plugging or broken pitman. Possibly loosing the timing or lead? I have broken three! metal plates on the pitman stick. Last one yesterday, after i had thought that I had fixed the problem. I guess Norm was probably right, the mower had good lead at the start of the season, but after hitting a dead furrow and a few bumps and humps the lead is gone. I have tried twice to adjust it with little luck.

    I guess I will look for another push bar. My wife was talking to one of the Amish guys at the Farmer’s market the other day. Say he uses an 8′ bar. never heard of that, but I am pretty happy with the seven.

    July 31, 2010 at 1:47 am #61541
    Donn Hewes
    Keymaster

    I probably have a five foot bar here. We might work out a deal!

    July 31, 2010 at 12:48 pm #61538
    john plowden
    Participant

    I have a open gear #4 w/ a 5 foot bar – complete and running mower – new guards and knife – make me an offer –

    July 31, 2010 at 12:50 pm #61537
    Mark Cowdrey
    Participant

    George,
    I agree that cutting the existing bar is not the way to go. I am sure it would be way more work than you anticipate based on similar projects I have undertaken!

    Is it you who is using the reciprocating , double-cut knives & guards? New last year? Getting in need of a tune-up?

    Is your mower a High Gear #9?

    Good luck,
    Mark

    July 31, 2010 at 9:35 pm #61539
    Does’ Leap
    Participant

    Thanks for the replies. Mark, yes I have the easy cut system (double cut knives) and it is not a high gear. I am loathe to buy another mower as I have a lot of time into my current mower which has been working well despite my idea to go with a 5 ‘ bar (although I need to re-check my lead). My assumption is that the smaller bar would be last draft (a given) and that the lower draft would enable my horses to keep adequate ground speed going up hill, especially as the day wears on. I have a youngish team (8 years old) and in good shape, but those hills in heavy grass are a killer. I can get a bar from Mcnair’s for $100 + shipping. Don, what do you want for your bar?

    George

    July 31, 2010 at 11:30 pm #61542
    Donn Hewes
    Keymaster

    Hi George, I will trade you for the six foot bar if you want. I could get the six at NEAPFD. I just checked, I have a good clean five footer – 19 guard holes not including the two holes for the outer shoe. Donn

    I could sell it but I would rather trade – Give me a call. 607-849-4442

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