John Deere No 3 Mower

[GregH]

Does anyone have any experience using/owning a John Deere No. 3 sickle bar mower? Any comparison to the McCormick-Deering 7s or 9s? And thoughts on parts availability?

I’m just beginning the journey into acquiring equipment and there might be a rebuilt JD No 3 mower near me in western NY, but I’m really only familiar with McD 7/9 mowers.

[Jay]

I believe the most critical parts are available for the JD#3- I have worked on one and gotten some parts for one- the pitman shaft is same size as all the others, and axle seals are the same. Cutter bar parts are all the standard. Carl and Jay F, you each have one, yes? Jay

[LongViewFarm]

I just had this conversation with Donn Hewes last Sat. Biggest advantage of the McD mowers is the availability of parts. JDs, being rarer, are harder to find parts for. Also, the bar on the JD is bolted to the shoe with 2 bolts in line. The McD has 3 bolts. Maybe better. I mowed fine for two years with the #3 and like it a lot. I am going to try a McD #7 next.

[Carl Russell]

Yes, I also have one that I starting using last summer. I find it to work great. I have other JD mower parts that I can use for replacement and repair… a little goes a long way… you don’t need a bone yard.

I have been using a New Idea No.9 for the last 25+ years, and while it is similar to McD No.9, and parts are somewhat interchangeable, those machines are much less common than JD, so to me this is an upgrade.

Functionally I see very little different than any other make/model. It moves smoothly and I think with the steel wheels it has a bit more cutting power in heavy grass than my old machine.

I think you take what you can get. If it runs well, and has no major wear, you should be able to get many years of use with minimal maintenance, so replacement parts are not as necessary as for more modern equipment that falls apart more each season.

Carl

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