Mccormick #7 mower

[ngcmcn]

Richard , if the bore, or Inside diameter, of your mower case is severally worn , new bearings might not be of much help. Depending on how good a job you want? I rebuilt a #7 a few years back with a machinist friend. We measured the I.D. of the mower case(where the journal bearings run) measured the axle and subtracted that from the I.D. aloowed some slop and figured out what size rollers we needed. We ordered the needed size drill stock(available through machinist supply places)took apart the cages, turned down the ends reassembled them and hitched up the ponies. I’ve mowed alot of acres with taht old mower since. Any machinist could do it piece of cake.

good luck, i’ve got three mowers to fix before may.

Neal

[Robert MoonShadow]

Richard: From Winter ’08 issue of SFJ: Heritage Machine Works = phone:#319-646-2989 email: srodgers@netins.net “Antique farm machinery repair & restoration – parts rebuilding/new fabrication – machine shop/welding, etc.” They’re located in Iowa. That’s the only one in the current issue that you haven’t mentioned talking to. Hope it helps… if not, I can look through last 2 years of back issues, no problem.

[near horse]

Good luck w/ the bearings but be thankful it’s not some cast piece long since out of production:(

I’m still looking for a decent mower out here in the west but we are fighting a different battle. I’ve looked at 2 #7’s over the past week that each owner thought were ready for “the antiques roadshow” due to their rarity:rolleyes: – they were asking between $500 and $800. These things were in horrible condition – rusted, rotten, pilaged – buried in the mud and some parts bent due to abusive moving them w/ a front end loader.

So what makes this a different battle? Because some people will pay that amount to put it out by the mailbox as a yard ornament adding to their “country” decor 😡 One of my neighbors has a really nice manure spreader in the flower bed and the wood just rots away each year – how quaint.

Sorry about the rant. Frustration is showing through.

[Richard]

Thanks for the info. Maybe I’ll get lucky soon.

I understand your frustration. Couple of days ago I saw a #7 on St Louis craigslist. Asking $100 I think

[ngcmcn]

I have about ten 9’s and 7’s, never paid more then $175 for a working one, have been given a few, the last 9 i bought was $35.It needed a pitman. The last 7 i bought here in Maine was $50 with a bad wheel and some other abuse. Once you fix the cutter bar the price goes up $200 or so.

I used to have a deal with an old farmer here that it didn’t matter what piece of gear i bought from him……the price would would be a dollar a year since the time he last used it. The hayloader had sat 35 years and had a tree in it so it was $35.

Once you restore one they’re good for many years.

Neal

[Author]

Posts